Narrative of a five years' expedition against the revolted Negroes of Surinam in Guiana, on the wild coast of South America, from the year 1772 to 1777 : elucidating the history of that country, and describing its productions, viz. quadrupedes, birds, fishes, reptiles, trees, shrubs, fruits & roots, with an account of the Indians of Guiana & Negroes of Guinea

Front matter

Hit

All MAT IT

/y??/ Guiana, on /A& wild coast of-

Preface

Here, in the different characters of a Commander—a Rebel Negro— a Planter, and a Slave — not only tyranny are exposed— but benevolence and humanity are unveiled to the naked eye. Here the Warrior — the Historian— the Merchant— and the Lover of Natural Philosophy, will meet with some gratification; while, for having introduced my private adventures, I must make some apology — but none for those of the lovely Slave, who makes not the least interesting figure in these pages — as female virtue in distress, especially when accompanied with youth and beauty, must ever claim protection.

Upon the whole, perhaps, some allowance may be made, when the Reader considers he is perusing no romance composed of fiction, but a real history, totally uneinbellished with the marvellous;— the production of an Officer, whose pen and pencil have alone been employed — and on the spot, a circumstance but very seldom met with.

As

PRE F A C E.

As to the shocking cruellies that here are so frequently exposed, let it suffice to say, that to deter others from similar inhuman practices, and teach them virtue, was my sole and only motive ; while, on the other hand, it must be observed that Libekty, nay even too much lenity, when suddenly granted to illiterate and unprincipled men, must be to all parties dangerous, if not pernicious. Witness the Owen and Saramcca Negroes in Surinam— the Maroons of Jamaica, the Carribs of St. Vincent, &c.

While the Colony of Surinam however is reeking and dyed with the blood of the African negroes, truth compels me to observe, that the Dutch there are not the only guilty ; but that to most other nations, and particularly the Jews, is owing this almost constant and diabolical barbarity.

Reader, peruse the pages annexed with impartiality and with temper— sort the flowers from the weeds— divide the gold skilfully from

b 2 the

PREFACE.

the dross—and perhaps you may not regret the hours you have thus dedicated.— Let it however not be understood, that I ever laid claim to excellence in writing or drawing ; but if the plain and manly truth, so often spoken of, and so seldom found, are of any avail— I presume to hope, that these Volumes are not entirely unworthy the attention of a British Public.

LIST

OF

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

A.

Ash mead (Wm.) Efq. London.

B.

Bute (Rt. Hon. Earl of).

Bristol (Rt. Hon. Earl of).

Bamff (Rt. Hon. Lord) 6th Dragoons.

Barrington (Rt. Hon. Lord Vifcount).

Boydell (Rt. Hon. John) Lord Mayor of London.

Baring (Charles) Efq. Exon. — 5 Copies.

Barwell ( ) Efq. London.

Broadley (R. Carlifle) Efq. York.

Bain ( ) Efq. M, D. Bath.

Burk (Geo.) Elq. Waddon Court, Devon. Batt (J. F.) Efq. Richmond.

Brown (E. H.) Efq. Richmond.

Black (John) Efq. of the Hon. Eaft India Compaay's Service.

Beslt

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

Besit (Wm.) Efq. Tiverton, Devon.

Bastard (John P.) Efq. Kitley, M. P.

Brown (Wm.) Efq. Wivelifcombe.

Bush (Baron de) Commandant at C .iracao.

Bolls (And.) Elq. Capt. in the Dutch Navy.

Blots de Treslon (Cor.) Efq. Capt in the Dutch Navy.

Brown ( ) Efq. Briftol

Bulguin. (Mr. ) Briftol.

Blake (Mr. Wm.) London.

Boudler (Mrs.) Bath.

C.

.Canterbury (His Grace the Archbifliop of). Chichester (Sir John) Bart. Youlfton. Chichester (Mrs.) Arlington.

Chichester (Mife).

Chichester (Mifs Mary Macdonald).

Cholwich (John B.) Efq. Farringdon Houfe, Cambridge (R. O.) Elq. Twickenham.

Cholmley (Nath.) Howlham.

Cowley (John) Elq. London.

Campbell (Rt. Hon. Hay) Edinburgh.

Cholmondeley (G.) Efq. London.

Croft (John) Efq. York.

D.

Dover (Rt. Hon. Lord).

Douglas (Gen. Robert) Holland.

Dennys (Nicholas) Efq. Tiverton.

Dowce (Francis) Efq. Richmond.

Dan by (Wm.) Elq. Swinton.

Drummond (J.) Efq. M. D. Jamaica.

Ducarrell ( ) Efq. Exmouth.

Delaval

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

Delaval (E. Huficy) Efq. London.

Dunsford (Mr. Martin) Author of the Memoirs of Tiverton*

De Graav (Gid. And. D.) Efq. Surinam.

Des Borgnes (Col. Brifeval) Fourgeoud's Marines.

Erving (George) Efq. London.

Euler ( ) Efq. for the Library of his Serene Highnefs "the Prince \

of Grange.

F.

Fitzwilliam (Bight Hon. Earl).

Ferrier (Col. Ilay) of His Majefty's Scots Brigade.

Fredericy ( ) Efq. Governor of Surinam.

Freeman ( ) Efq. Chute Lodge.

Follet (Rev. Mr. John) Tiverton.

Flower (Mr.) London.

Flower (Mr. Benj.) Cambridge.

G.

Guildford (Right Hon. Earl of).

Gordon (Col. Robert) Deputy Governor at the Cape of Good Hope.

Graham (John) Efq. M. D. Jamaica.

Grinstone (Henry) Elq. Wefton.

Grin stone (Thomas) Efq. Kilnwick.

Godefrooy (Mrs, Eliz.) Surinam.

Gray (Mifs Jane) Edinburgh

H.

Heathfield (Rt. Hon. Lord).

Harrowby (Rt. Hon. Lord) Sandon, Staifordmire.

Hamilton (Sir Alexander) Bart. Retreat.

Hildyard (Sir Robert D'Arcy) Bart. Wineftead, York.

Hastings

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES..

Pltdell (J. M.) Efq. 6th Dragoons.

Peachey (John) Efq. M. P.

Prince (J. D.) Efq. Holland.

Perret Gent illy (Major) Fourgeoud's Marines

Popple (Rev. Mr.) York.

R.

Ryder (Right Hon. Dudley) M. P.

Rock by (Right Hon. Lord) Horton, Kent.,

Ricketts (E.,Jarvis) Efq. Jamaica.

Rosen da a l (Countefsde) Holland.

Rolle (John) Efq. M. P. Tidwell.

Ridsdale (G. W.) Efq. 6th Dragoons.

Robinson (William) Efq. Writer to the Signet," Edinburgh.

Robinson (Capt Thomas) of the Hon. Eaft India Company's Service.:

Reynsdorph (Andrew) Efq. Surinam.

Reay (Henry N.) Efq. Blenkwell, Durham. .

S.

Spencer (Rt. Hon. Lord Henry).

Strickland (Sir George) Bart. Bointon Houfe, York.— 2 Copies.

Strickland (Lady Eliza Letitia).

Strickland (Mils Charlotte)

Strickland (William) Efq. York.

Strickland (Capt. Geo.) 8th Regiment

Sykes (Sir Chriftopher) Bart. York.

Small (Major Charles) Ifle of Man.

Stuart (Hon. General John).

Sampson (James) Efq. late His Majefty's Conful General at Morocco.

Sutteli.

SuTTEix (G.) Efq. York.

Sturgeon (T. W.) Efq. Trowbridge.

Swale ( ) Efq. London.

Sheriff (Mr. Robert) Leilh.

Stedman (Jobn) Efq. M. D. Edinburgh.

Stedman (Capt. Wm. George).

Stedman (Mils Catherine) Edinburgh.

Sharrat (Mr. John) Walfall.

Sheldon (MifsAnn) Exon.

Somerville (Mus Elizabeth) Edinburgh.

T.

Todd (Mr. John) York.— - 2 Copies.

Tozer (Aaron) Efq. of the Hon. Eaft India Company's Service.

V.

Vance Agnew (Robert) Efq. Edinburgh.

Van Coeverde (Colonel) Fourgeoud's Marines.

W.

Willoughby de Broke (Rt. Hon. Lord).

Westerloo (General) Holland.

Wemyss (Major) 11th Regiment of Foot.

Wierts (Francis) Efq. Captain in the Dutch Navy.

Williams (Jof.) Efq. Jamaica.

Wyville (Rev. Chriftopher) York.

Wood (Bevis) Efq. Tiverton.

Worth (John) Efq. Worth.Houfe, Devon.

Worth (Mrs. Mary) Tiverton.

Wray (Mrs.) Richmond.

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

Watt (Mr.) London.

Wardlaw (Mrs. Sufan) Edinburgh.

Y.

York (His Grace the Archbilhop of) York? (Hon, John),

Contents

CONTENTS of the FIRST VOLUME.

Chapter I. Page, l

Introduction. — Revolt among the Negroes in Dutch Guiana — An Expedition sets out from the Texel — Short Account of the Voyage — The Fleet arrives in the "River Surinam — Reception of the Troops in. that Colony — Sketch of the Inhabitants, §c*.

Chapter II. Page 36

General Description of Guiana — of the Colony of Surinam in particular — Accounts of its earliest Discovery — is possessed by the English — by the Dutch — Murder of the Governor, Lord Somelsdyk — The Settlement taken by the French and ransomed,

Ciiapte r IIL Page 59.

First Revolt of the Negroes; Causes thereof — Distracted, State of the Colony — Forced Peace concluded with the Rebels — Mutiny of Sailors, Soldiers, <J-c,

C H AP T E E.

CONTENTS OF

Chapter IV. Page 8 1

Short Interval of Peace and Plenty — The Colony plunged in new Distress by afresh Insurrection, and nearly ruined — "Review of the Troops for its Defence — An Action ivith the Rebels — Gallant Behaviour of a Black Corps — The Arrival of Colonel Fourgcoud's Marines.

Chapter V. Page 93

The Scene changes — Some Account of a beautiful Fetnale Slave — The Manner of travelling in Surinam — The Colonel explores the Situation of the Rivers — Barbarity of a Planter — Wretched Treatment of some Sailors.

Chapter VI. Page 1 1 4

Account of a dreadful Execution — Fluctuating State of political Affairs — Short Glimpse of Peace — An Officer shot dead; his whole Party cut to Pieces, and the general Alarm revived throughout the Colony.

Chapter VII. Page 1 40

Armed Barges are sent up to defend the Rivers — Description of the Fortress New Amsterdam — A Cruise in the upper Parts of Rio Cottica and Patamaca — Great Mortality among the Troops — View of the Military Post at DeviCn Harwar.

Chapter

THE FIRST VOLUME.

Chapter VIII. Page 187

Three Estates burnt, and the Inhabitants murdered by the Rebels — Real Picture of Misery and Distress — Specimen of a March through the fVoods of Surinam — Colonel Fourgeoud and the remaining Troops leave Paramaribo.

Chapter IX. Page 203

Some Diseases peculiar to the Climate — Groupe of Negroes newly imported going to be sold — Reflections on the Slave Trade — The Voyage from Africa — Manner of selling them in the Colony— Description of a . Cotton Plantation,

Chapter. X. Page 225

Colonel Fourgeoud marches to the JVana Creek — Harasses the Enemy — Account of the Manicole Tree, with its various Uses — March to the Mouth of Cormoetibo River — Some Rebels . taken^— Shocking Treatment of a wounded captive Negro. .

Chapter XL Page 26S.

The Troops march back to the JVana Creek — The Rebels pass near the Camp — Pursued without Success — Great Distress .for Want of Water —Mineral Mountains — The Troops arrive at La Rochelle, in Patamaca.

C HAP T E R

CONTE NTS.— Vol. I.

Chapter XII. Pago 298

Description of the Town of Paramaribo and Fort Zelandia — Colonel Fourgeoud's March to the River Marawina — A Captain wounded — Some Privates shot — Strange Execution in the Capital — Account of Fort Somelsdyh — Of the Hope in Rio Comewina,.

Chapter XIII. Page 324

A Sugar Plantation described — Domestic Happiness in u Cottage — Further Account of Fourgeoud's Operations — Dreadful Cruelties inflicted by some Overseers — Instance of Resentment in a Rebel Negro Captain.

Chapter XIV. Page 351

Colonel Fourgeoud at Paramaribo — Example of Ignorance in a Surgeon — of Virtue in a Slave — of Ferocity in a Commander — The Troops re-enter the Woods — Account of Loango Dancing — Uncommon Proof of Fidelity in a Negro.

Chapter XV. Page 393

Description of the Indians, Aborigines of Guiana — Their Food — Arms — Ornaments — Employments — Diversions — Passions — Religion — Marriages — Funerals, fyc. Of the Caribbee Indians in particular — Their Trade with the Europeans.

TCondrr Smlpait.

NARRATIVE

OF AN

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM.

Chap. I

Introduction. — Revolt among the Negroes in Dutch Guiana — An Expedition sets out from the Texel — Short Account of the Voyage — The Fleet arrives hi the River Surinam — Reception of the Troops in that Colony- Sketch of the Inhabitants, fyc*

THE exploring of foreign countries having of late years, and particularly since the recent discoveries of the immortal Captain Cook, so generally been the object of persons both in private and public situations ; and the histories of their labours and pursuits being so interesting to the curiosity of the Public, I have ventured to offer such observations as 1 have had an opportunity of making in a very singular part of the Globe, on which few Englishmen have been thrown, either by accident Vol. I. B or

NARRATIVE OF AN or curiosity. The colon}' of Surinam, in Dutch Guiana, so far as it is inhabited and cultivated by Europeans near the sea-coast, has indeed been known for many years past. lUit the deep inundations, with the impenetrable thickness of the woods, have been such constant discouragements and obstructions to discovery, that but very little true information concerning that country hath as yet been obtained, except what relates to such objects of commerce as are common to most of the tropical settlements. This publication, therefore, is chiefly intended to particularize such circumstances and events as the necessity of penetrating into the interior parts of the country have enabled me to make, and forced on my observation.

The feeling part of my readers, I must hope, will receive with some indulgence a. work proceeding from an officer, who, from his early youth, was debarred in acquiring perfection, either as a writer or a painter, by his military and maritime profession. I nevertheless humbly flatter myself that whatever may be found wanting in style and elegance, is in some degree compensated by that fidelity and correctness, which can alone be the work of a pen and pencil employed on the spot. With respect to a few quaint expressions, and even oaths, as spoken by common soldiers, sailors, &c. that sometimes unavoidably occur in the narrative of this wonderful expedition, I must humbly request the world not to be startled at them, not only because the shades of black and white 1 1 enliven

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM.

enliven the picture, but because I am determined to write truth only, and expose vice and/o% in their native colours. — Come then, my friends —

" Together hi us beat this ample field, " Try what the open, what the covert yield ; " The latent tracts, the giddy heights, explore " Of all who blindly creep, or sightless soar : " Eye Nature's walks, shoot Folly as it.flies, "And catch the manners living as they rise ; " Laugh where we must, be candid where we can ; " But vindicate the ways of God to man."

Pope.

1 will now boldly launch out on the difficult task. — As the nature, however, of these transactions can only be understood by a reference to the occasion which called me thither, I feel myself ..under the necessity of still premising a few words upon that subject.

Every part of the World, where domestic slavery is established, may be occasionally liable to insurrection and disquiet, more especially where the slaves constitute the majority of the inhabitants; but the colony of Surinam, in Dutch Guiana, has been peculiarly unfortunate in this respect. "Whether from the shelter which is afforded to the fugitives by the immense forests which overspread the most considerable part of this country, or whether the government of this settlement be radically defective, it is a certain fact, that its European settlers

b 2 are

NARRATIVE OF AN are constantly exposed to the raoft violent ravages, and the most desperate outrage. Of these circumstances this is not, however, the place for a minute detail. Let it suffice therefore for the present, only to observe, that these repeated revolts and insurrections demanded at length the most vigorous measures for the restoration of a general peace ; and that the accounts transmitted to Holland, in the year 1772, that a considerable body of armed people of this description had assembled in the forests, and became extremely formidable to the colony,, determined their High Mightinesses the States of the United Provinces to send out a sufficient maritime force to oppose the insurgents, and, if possible, to quell the insurrection.

The British navy had ever been my choice and ambition, in which I was well recommended ; but the fmall hopes of preferment I had naturally to expect in time of peace, and my paternal estate being lost just after my birth, by accidental misfortunes, induced me to relinquish the hopes of advancement in the sea-service, and to accept an ensign's commission, presented me without purchase, in one of the Scots brigade regiments in the pay of Holland, where Sir Joseph York (late Lord Dover) at that period was ambassador from the British court ; before which nobleman 1 had the honour to take the usual oaths of abjuration and allegiance to my King and Country, as registered at the British war-office. — This point I have also thought it right to premise, as

a duty

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM, a duty owing to myself, to shew the world in general that it was necessity not choice that compelled me to enter into a foreign service ; though perhaps a more ancient and distinguished corps does not exist than the above brigade has proved to be, both in this island and on the continent, for above two hundred years.

At the time of the above insurrection I was Lieutenant in the Honourable General John Stuart's regiment; when, impressed by the hopes of traversing the sea, my favourite element, and in some measure gratifying my curiosity, in exploring a part of the world not generally known; still more by the prospect of that preferment which might be consequent on so dangerous an expedition; I instantly solicited admission into a corps of volunteers which was preparing to sail for Guiana, and had ihe honour, by his Serene Iligknefs William V. Prince or Orange, to be advanced to the rank of Captain by lire vet*, under Colonel Lou'is Ucnry Fourgeoud, a Swiss gentleman, from the Alpine Mountains, who was appointed our Commander in Chief.

Having taken the oaths of fidelity on the 12th of November to the new corps, and prepared what was necessary for the voyage, I bade farewell to my old regiment, and immediately sailed to the island of Tcxel, where several of our gentlemen were already assembled;

* Each officer was permitted to re- Europe, a vacancy being there precnter his former regiment, if he fur- ferved for him during his abfence. vived the expedition, and returned to

and

G NARRATIVE OF AN

chap, and where, on going ashore, I had nearly perished by the ^J^. boat's shipping a sea, and sinking in the surf. * The island of Wkringen was however the spot of ge-

neral rendezvous: here Colonel Fours:eoud arriving on the 7th of December, the volunteers were all assembled, to the number of five hundred fine young men ; and on the morning of the 8th we were formed into seven companies, and embodied as a regiment of marines. Besides the Boreas and Ifc/leUingzcerf men-of-war, commanded by Captains Van de Velde and Craft, three new frigatebuilt transports were put in commission, carrying ensign, jack, and pennant, and armed with from ten to sixteen guns, as sloops of war; on board thefe vessels we embarked the same afternoon under a general salute, then took the command, and did the duty as in the navy.

Our departure was not however immediately consequent on our embarkation. We lay wind-bound in the Tcxel roads for many days, during which time one of our young officers, a Mr. Hireling, was unfortunately seized with the small-pox: this gentleman, in order to prevent his infecting the ship's company, was ordered on shore to a town on the land's end, called the Hc/dcr, where I conducted him in a pinnace, and where we left him behind us; but on my return, the surgeon declaring he saw the symptoms of the same disorder on myself, I was also immediate] v ordered to the island of Texel. Ilaving passed a most anxious quarantine in this |Jace, I had

the

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 7 the good fortune however to escape the loathsome ma- chap. lady, and to the Doctor's surprize appeared once more on board perfectly well, just before the signal gun was fired for the fleet to weigh anchor. This circumstance cannot but induce me to wish that those in particular who are destined for a military or a naval life w r ould avail themselves of the art of inoculation, in order to avoid a painful anxiety to themselves, and a most dangerous infection to their fellow-creatures.

On Christmas-day our small fleet put to sea, at eight o'clock, A. M. with a fresh breeze from E. N. E. in company with above one hundred vessels bound for different parts of the globe, and the most beautiful clear weather. Having safely got without the soundings, and saluted each other with nine guns, we kept our course down channel, and soon passed the North Foreland, the Fjle of Wight, and Portland Point ; but here the Westcllingwerf, having sprung a leak, was obliged to part company, and run into Plymouth for repair.

The wind now freshened as we approached the Bay of ISifcay, where the mate of the vessel directed my particular attention to a kind of sea-swallow, commonly distinguished by the name of the Storm-bird*, from its supposed property of foretelling an impending tempest. The colour of this bird is a very deep blue approaching to black, and enlivened by some variegated tints; its size is about that of a large martin or swallow : it is web-footed ; the

bill

NARRATIVE OF AN bill is very long and sharp, and the wings of an extraordinary length, which enable it to fly very fast, and for a considerable time, skimming with incredible velocity around the horizon : it subsists entirely upon fish, which is probably the cause of its being sensible of the first indications of whatever may prevent its usual supply of food : it then flies along with extreme swiftness, in order to avoid the storm ; but if overtaken by it, drops its wings, and floats upon the surface of the waves.

On the following day, January 2d, 1773, the prcdi&ions of the storm-bird were verified : a heavy gale sprung up from N. N. E. by which, off Cape Finistcrre, the Boreas and Vigilance were separated from us. We kept our course during the night with double-reefed top-sails, and all the~hatches laid, which made our men in general very sick. Here I ought not to forget that by way of experiment we had slung the hammocks athwart ships, and not as usual fore and aft ; which method we found however to be both fo roomy and convenient, that it has been since adopted by several other vessel •»

On the morning of the 4th we spied a stout ship to windward in the ofling, bearing straight down upon us. Conjccturin • she might be an Aigcrinc pirate from the African coast, and now but two ships out of five, we prepared to engage her; she however soon proved to be the Boreas man-of-war, which had parted company on the I'd. From this date the men were daily exercised at

the

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM, the great guns, and by firing at a target suspended from c the yard-arm.

On the 1 4th, in the morning-watch, we passed the Tropic, when the usual ceremony of ducking the fresh- water sailors was ransomed by tipping the foremast men with some silver. About this time the Boreas most unluckily lost one of her best seamen, the boatswain's mate, whose hand slipping by the wet, he pitched from the fore-yard-arm into the sea. His presence of mind in calling to the captain, as he floated alongside, " Be not alarmed for me, V sir" in the confidence of meeting with relief, attracted peculiar compassion, and even caused some murmuring, as no assistance was offered him ; in consequence of which, after swimming a considerable time within view, the unfortunate young man went to the bottom.

We now were got in the tract of the trade winds, which blowing continually east, and the weather becoming from day to day more temperate, made the voyage exceedingly pleasant ; more so by the many dolphins or dorados, which beautiful fish seem to take peculiar delight in sporting around the vessels. The real dolphin, which is of the cetaceous kind, was anciently celebrated in poetic story on account of its philanthropy and other supposed virtues : but to the dorado or dolphin of the moderns, this character is far from being applicable, this fish being extremely voracious and destructive, and is known to follow the ships, and exhibit his sports and gambols, not from attachment to mankind, but from Vol. I. C the

NARRATIVE OF AN the more selfish motive of procuring food, particularly on the eve of an approaching storm, of which he appears perfectly sensible. The circumstance which chiefly entitles the dorado to our attention is, the unrivalled and dazzling brilliancy of its colours in the water, the whole of its back being enamelled with spots between azure blue and a reflecting light sea-green, on a very dark ground, which appears as bespangled all over with jewels, and forms a most beautiful contrast to the belly, which is of a whitish cast ; the fins and tail are of a golden dye : the length of this animal is from five to six feet, and its form taper* from the head towards the tail, which is divided, and terminates not unlike the shape of a crescent. The head is round, and preceded by a kind of snout ; the jaws are armed with several sharp teeth, and the eyes are remarkably large. The scales of the dorado are uncommonly small, and it is furnished with a fin, which runs along its back from the one extremity to the other.

Our progress was now daily marked by increasing warm weather, which released me from the confinement of a disagreeable cabin crowded with officers, most of whom had never been to sea, and enabled me to pursue my favourite amusements, whether of reading above deck, or exercise in the rigging. Thus circumstanced I, on the 1 7th,had the happiness of rendering a most important service to one of our young officers, a Mr. du Moulin, who by a sudden roll of the vessel was actually thrown over the gunwale. At that mo- 3 ment

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. u ment happening to stand without-board in the main-chains, c n a p. I fortunately grasped hold of him in his fall, which saved v^i-^ him, as he could not swim, from inevitable death.

The entrance into warmer regions gave occasion to an observation perhaps not generally known, which (though uncouth) must be of great importance to sailors ; namely, that between the Tropics, while vermin may remain in the head, none can possibly continue to exist in the bedding, cloaths, linen, &c. Having humbly apologized for the above remark to my delicate readers, I will endeavour to describe a curious animal with which these seas abound, and which appears to sail on the surface of the waves with a side-wind, while by the sailors it is vulgarly called a Portuguese man-of-war, and is probably either the Nautilus or the Argonauta of Linnaeus. This wonderful creature, when above water, assumes the shape of an expanded fan, decorated with a beautiful red border, while the lower extremity is fixed to a shell as thin as paper, or rather a kind of boat, which is sunk below or raised above the surface of the sea, and guided in any direction, at the pleasure of the animal, by means of six tentacula or limbs, which it uses as oars. When these creatures are touched by the hand, they occasion, like the sea blubber or jelly fish, a painful tinkling sensation, which continues for several minutes.

The two following days it blew very fresh, and heavy seas washed over the vessel ; during which, while helping to put a reef in the main-top-sail for a little exercise, I lost

c 2 every

NARRATIVE OF AN every one of my keys, which dropped from the yard-arm into the sea. This trifling accident I should never have related, had it not proved a very great inconvenience, by debarring me from coming at my private property, particularly since the whole ship's company, officers included, lived on salt provision alone, a pig and a couple of lean sheep excepted, whose legs had been broken by the rolling and pitching of the vessel. This mannnr of living on salt-beef, pork, and peas, like common sailors, was introduced by our Commander in Chief in order to enure us (he said) to such food as we were likely to be alone supplied with in the woods of Surinam ; and from the generous motive of regaling his American friends with European refreshments — such as live sheep, hogs, fowls, ducks, bacon hams, bullocks tongues, preserved vegetables, pickles, spices, &c< all of which were provided by the town of Amsterdam in profusion. But good intentions do not always meet with their rewards ; since the worms, without any ones permission, laid hold of the greatest part of the dead stock for themselves ; who were, for their punishment, together with their plunder, thrown overboard into the ocean. Let me add, that, instead of plate, our meals were frequently served up in small wooden tubs of not the most cleanly appearance, and only once a day ; which negligence, however, I am willing to impute to Monsieur Laurant, the colonel's French valet-dechambre. In short, the scurvy and other loathsome disorders began to make their appearance ; dejection and low

spirits

EXPEDITION TO SURINAM, spirits took place throughout the ship, while 1 complained aloud, and from that moment date the good-will which Colonel Fourgeoud manifested towards me in particular, as will be seen throughout the expedition. It is with pain that I relate this passage — but no consideration shall prevent me from bringing to light particular foibles, as it will ever give me the greatest pleasure to render virtue conspicuous.

About the 20th of January, we^observed great numbers of flying fish, the exocostus volitans of Linnaeus, which is about the size of a herring. The back of this animal is flat, and of an olive-brown colour ; the sides and belly of a resplendent silvery white ; the mouth small ; the eyes large ; the tail bifurcated ; and the scales hard, smooth, and silvery. Upon occasion the pectoral fins are used as wings by this fish, yet no longer than while they continue wet, for as soon as the moisture is dried, the animal drops back into the sea. The surface of these fins is of a golden hue, beautifully variegated near the edges with spots of azure blue : their length is equal to that of the body of the fish ; and its flight, which is undertaken in order to avoid the pursuit of the dorado, and other large fish, is always straight forward, and of short duration, on account of the necessity of repeatedly wetting its wings *. These animals are frequently found

* I have never seen this necessity itself cannot endure to be long out properly accounted for : probably of its proper element : either of these the mucus which covers the fins or suppositions will account for its dropwings may become so consolidated ping so often as it were involuntarily by the heat of the sun, and the action on board ships, and into the mouth of the air, that it may impede their of its enemies, the dolphin, dorado, motion ; or it may be that the fish &c.