248 TlMEHRI. 



well, as may be seen in the way they express them- 

 selves on page 21 : — 



' It has been intimated to the Committee of Directors, 

 the great necessity that exists, to provide as soon as 

 possible against the continuation of the present confu- 

 sion, and to prevent what may result from the existing 

 state of no government in the colonies of Essequebo 

 and Demerara.' 



" This expression plainly shows that the Council ap- 

 pointed in 1785 by the Gentlemen Deputies has not 

 been considered as a College of Government. 



" The undersigned had flattered themselves that this 

 report (already in the Colony for so many months) 

 would have induced the Gentleman President to recon- 

 sider matters : But far from this, this Honourable, with 

 what he on a certain occasion called his Court, con- 

 tinues to pass sentences and make appointments, in 

 which the rules of justice are overstepped, and to which 

 his (so-called) Court blindly gives consent. 



" Further, the undersigned have noticed the publica- 

 tion of rules as to anchoring and lying off the fort after 

 sunset of all vessels great or small, prohibiting their 

 either entering or leaving. This was given out by the 

 Dire6leur-General under a pretence of non-session of 

 the pretended Court, which, however, assembled in the 

 same week, on the day before the publication, as well as 

 that following, by which despotism is being attempted, 

 for it says, ''for reasons, us thereunto moving." In the 

 meanwhile, even before this beautiful publication was 

 known, they fired with shot, (although this was not in- 

 serted in the publication) all the boats being detained until 

 the following day, even some that arrived before sunset. 



