2i ' tiMEMRt. 



river, the postholder shall recommend them to wait on 

 the proteftor." 



Under these regulations the posts were kept up until 

 after the abolition of slavery, the cost forming a large 

 item in the Colonial expenses. In 1817 the allowances 

 and rations to Indians amounted to 39,044 guilders and the 

 cost of bush expeditions to 18,479. This was very high, 

 for in 1819, the amounts were onlyy"i6,98o and /2,976, 

 and two years later /32,3i2 and 72,262. The Essequebo 

 post was at one period at Ampa and later on the site of 

 the Penal Settlement, Here the Indians of the three 

 rivers assembled at regular intervals, bringing their fami- 

 lies and residing for some days in open logics. In the 

 Pomeroon those who lived as far away as the Barima 

 also came to receive their presents, this going to prove 

 that they were in the position of prote6led native races. 



Under this prote6lorate the Indian chiefs shewed a 

 very independent spirit, which is well exemplified by a 

 case mentioned in the Court of Policy in 1804. Mr. 

 Mack, Prote6lor of Indians in the Essequebo, then stated 

 that the Caribs of the upper river were very much 

 dissatisfied, notwithstanding the measures taken the pre- 

 vious year to revive friendly intercourse. This he ac- 

 counted for by the fa6l that, from insufficient notice, they 

 had not shared in the presents given in April 1803. It 

 was well-known, he said, that the Caribs surpassed all 

 other nations in personal courage, and from this had 

 often proved of the greatest utility ; it was highly neces- 

 sary therefore that the colony should secure their assist- 

 ance in case of need. He suggested that a deputation 

 should be sent up to call them all together and to give 

 them a treat as well as presents of gunpowder and salt* 



