Waterton and his Demerara Friend. 19 



tions of the Maroon slaves, who from being molested 

 have extended a continuous line of communication from 

 close to Stabroek almost up to the Loo plantation, 

 through which they seem to have a regular correspon- 

 dence, and seem extending up the country as much as 

 they can. and endeavouring to plant provisions for them- 

 selves, in which case unless rooted out before they gain 

 too great a head to be overcome, will become a most 

 serious evil that will not be avoided without great 

 trouble and expense. Their correspondence is so exten- 

 sive that they pass in large bands across the head of 

 Mahyka so far as Berbice, in such force that the Indians 

 and others are often obliged to {\y and give way to them. 

 " As soon as Your Excellency and the Honourable 

 Court have consulted on the subje6l, 1 find myself so far 

 recovered of my wound as to say I shall be happy once 

 more to go out in the service of the colony. 



" I have sent an express to the Postholder, Feedkow; 

 as soon I hear from him or see him (I suppose by Sun- 

 day) I will do myself the honour to wait upon Your 

 Excellency to receive your commands, as it is impossible 

 to cross the country to Mahyka in its present state. 

 There are about forty Indians desirous of joining us if 

 Your Excellency would please to give the necessary 

 orders to Mr. BUCHANAN to colle6l them for the purpose, 

 to join at any appointed day. 



" I cannot help taking notice to your Excellency and 

 Honourable Court of a scandalous report with regard to 

 the Black Troops that were with me, — that they had 

 abandoned me in the woods, — which was circulated as 

 far as Berbice. I think it therefore my duty to declare 

 that their condu6l was highly meritorious, and did 



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