Waterton and his Demerara Friend. 25 



special Commission to St. Croix, but without effe6l. 

 Then he asked the military authorities at head-quarters 

 in Barbados to buy them as pioneers, but this was 

 also refused. Meanwhile they had been first put on 

 board some vessels in the river, and ultimately most of 

 them were kept prisoners and placed with the chain 

 gang, while 38 were sent to work at Post Morocco. 



Among the captives were two infants whose parents 

 had been killed. On the 29th of January the Governor 

 stated to the Court, that he understood Mr. EoMONSTONE 

 was willing from motives of humanity to take charge of 

 these children, and had intimated his readiness to pay 

 whatever value the Court might place on them. After 

 deliberation it was decided that as these infants could 

 not come under the regulation as to banishment, Mr. 

 Edmonstone should be allowed to retain them as his 

 property without any payment. 



Another interesting matter in this connexion shows 

 the good feeling that often existed between master and 

 slave. A negro named TONY, the property of Mr. AvERY, 

 had a6led as guide to the expedition and rendered him- 

 self eminently useful. With a view of rewarding him 

 for tiis diligence the Court proposed to buy him from his 

 master and grant him his freedom. The master was will- 

 ing to part with him on these terms, but the slave 

 stipulated that the manumission should not be granted 

 until such time as he should point out. From afifeftion 

 to Mr. Avery, Tony was perfe6lly satisfied and desirous 

 of remaining with him as long as he should be in the 

 colony. The slave received the promise, which he peti- 

 tioned the Court to perform several years afterwards 

 when his master went to England, and a proper manu- 



D 



