50 MEMOIR OF 



lake, of which some vague information from the 

 Indians had been received. 



The ascent of the river Berhice was next to be 

 attempted, and on the 25 th November, 1836, the 

 expedition quitted New Amsterdam with a flowing 

 tide; and paddling rapidly up the sea-reach of the 

 river Berbice, and passing the site of Fort Nassau, 

 the former capital of the colony, they arrived, in 

 the course of fifteen miles farther, at Wickie, situate 

 on the western bank at the j miction of a river of 

 the same name. 



Immediately at the back of Wickie is a marsh, 

 then sand-hills, which separate it from the savan- 

 nah. Wickie was then the residence of Mr. M'Cul- 

 lum, who had a very extensive wood-cutting esta- 

 blishment, and employed often two hundred Indians 

 and fifty negroes in cutting and squaring timber ; 

 he bore testimony to the industry and perseverance 

 of the former at their work, and had a high opinion 

 of the value of an Indian under proper treatment. 



At two miles' distance from the river, near Mo- 

 racco, commence savannahs which extend towards 

 the river Demerara. They are said to be inhabited 

 by Indian tribes who never visit the colonists ; ob- 

 taining shot, knives, alempores, &c. by bartering 

 hammocks, spun-cotton, and crab-oil with those 

 Indians who keep up a communication with the 

 coast. These Savannah Indians are supposed to 

 number five hundred, and are located in upwards of 

 thirty settlements. 



