250 TlMEHRI. 



as to arrive at the desired result, provided the 'Redress' 

 is carried out and is at once adopted.' 



"The undersigned are under the impression, that by 

 hastening the introduction of the new plan of government 

 the true intention of the gentlemen reporters will be 

 fulfilled. 



"On the contrary, it appears that by continuing these 

 Councillors, who even by the Committee of their High 

 Mightinesses, have not been acknowledged as rulers, 

 would be an act very displeasing to the Stadtholder. 



" With this, the undersigned, as in duty bound, have 

 laid before you all they wish to say, supported by suffi- 

 cient proofs ; they hope their wishes may be carried out, 

 so as to prevent the undersigned being compelled 

 to make use of acts against the pretended Councillors 

 which would be unpleasant to every one. 



(Signed by 76 persons.) 



" Rio Demerary, October 2nd, 1787." 



The Plan of Redress referred to in the above petition 

 was the well-known document which has formed the 

 Constitution of these colonies for a century. In 1789 

 the protests of the colonists were taken into considera- 

 tion and two Commissioners sent out, one being W. A. 

 VAN SlRTEMA, Baron GROVESTIN'S, and the other, S. 

 BoEY, with authority to enquire into the points of the 

 dispute. The Commissioners returned to the Nether- 

 lands in August, 1789, bringing with them the Directeur- 

 General, who had been allowed to resign, while the 

 Commandeur of Essequebo acted provisionally as 

 Governor of the united Colony of Demerara and Esse- 

 quebo. In 1 791 the Charter of the Company expiring, 

 a renewal was refused by the States General, and it was 



