Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 241 



The Keysers, as constituted by resolution of the 15th 

 May, 1776, nominated three for each vacancy, from 

 which one was chosen. The College of Burgher Officers 

 is the same as that of the Keysers. 



The citizens wish every one to have a vote. 



The Council of Ten reserved the right to continue or 

 appoint a new Colonial Council after each session. 



The late dismissal was unconstitutional and might 

 give rise to disturbances, as many planters would pro- 

 bably refuse to obey the new Council. 



The undersigned ask that Joseph Bourda, WlLLE- 

 bordus Ramaker, Anthony Pieter Swaan and 

 PlETER VAN Helsdingen, be allowed to take their seats, 

 as they are considered by the citizens as still legally 

 holding their offices as Councillors. 



This protest was thus noted in the margin : — The 

 request cannot be entertained, the undersigned being 

 unable to alter the Company's resolution ; the petition- 

 ers are referred to the Company, and if anything disa- 

 greeable comes of it they must blame themselves. 



(Signed) Jan L' ESPINASSE. 



The Diredteur-General and Council in a letter to the 

 Council of Ten, dated February 15th, 1786, give a 

 resume of the state of affairs in Demerara as follows : — 



The new arrangements for government, policy, and 

 justice, made by the Ten, have been entirely opposed 

 by the inhabitants, who refuse to accept any alterations 

 whatever, especially the following: — 



1. — Appointment of Council without consulting the 

 citizens. 



2. — Raising of the Head Tax to /*6. 



They have petitioned that affairs be left on the former 

 H H 



