The History of British Guiana; Comprising a General Description of the Colony a Narrative of Some of the Principal Events from the Earliest Period of Its Discovery to the Present Time Together with an Account of Its Climate, Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 edition. Excerpt: ... Harbour-master...... 500 1,000 Collector and comptroller..... 1,000 3,000 The variable amounts mentioned possibly arose from the uncertainty and irregularity attending the system of fees, &c.; for, although tariffs of these at different times had been instituted, they were rarely attended to. The following anecdote, from a writer who lived in this colony from 1795 to 1805, illustrates this circumstance, as well as the general depravity which must have pervaded society. Bolingbroke. A gentleman from the islands, who was not upon very good terms with the fiscal of Demerara, Mynheer Van, applied to him one day, when he happened to meet him on horseback, to know what sum would be required by that officer to absolve him from all consequences in his determination to chastise another, to whom he owed a grudge; the fiscal, after a moment's reflection, demanded 150 guilders, which were immediately paid to him by the gentleman, who collared the astonished Dutchman, dragged him from his horse, and severely horsewhipped him, telling him at the same time-. ghat he was the party to whom he owed the grudge, and wishing him good morning, as he now felt satisfied. The defeated Dutchman pocketed the money and the insult, leaving the affair to die of itself. But the joke was too ood to be kept secret, and has been regularly chronicled. It appeared that in the neighbouring colony of Berbice the troops had been equally badly treated, for early in 1803 a mutiny took place. The insurgents, to the number of some hundreds, were headed by several of the officers, a captain especially, and they compelled the commandant and his adherents to evacuate Fort St. Andrew, and take refuge in the Government-house. After a short time, they were obliged to abandon...