64 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



Such a by-word easily enough explains the repugnance felt by all freemen for 

 this region, which nevertheless is not cursed with the deadly climate attributed 

 to French Guiana by the popular fancy since so many wretched victims of sen- 

 tences of transportation began to be cast upon its shores. 



The very failure of the frequent attempts to colonise the country had the 

 natural consequence of causing much indecision in the plans of the central 

 government, as well as in the activity of the local administrators. Few officials 

 enter on their functions in Cayenne without forthwith yearning to return to their 

 native land. Being merely " birds of passage," they can take but slight interest 

 in a region which thej^ hojje soon to quit. But without attaching themselves to 

 the land, they may perhaps be tempted to distinguish their administration by some 

 ambitious scheme at variance with those of their predecessors in office, and calcu- 

 lated to enhance their reputation in high places. 



Thus the affairs of the colony are managed in a shiftless way without a con- 

 tinuous policy, as needs must be in a territory which has seen thirty-four governors 

 replace each other since the middle of the century. Hence whatever real pro- 

 gress is made in French Guiana, either in an increase of population or in the 

 development of its natural resources, must be attributed, not to the administration, 

 but to the slow ferment working spontaneously in the mass of the aboriginal 

 elements increased by a few immigrants from Martinique, some Bush Negroes 

 from Surinam, Portuguese and Brazilians from the conterminous regions. But on 

 the other hand, the introduction of Hindu coolies has been made without system 

 or humanity. Of 8,372 engaged in the prime of life, 4,522, more than half, 

 perished within 22 years (1856-78), and of the whole number only 675 were 

 restored to their native homes. 



Co N v I c T St Ai I oxs — Man a . 



The basin of the copious River Maroni, which separates French from Dutch 

 Guiana, is inhabited in its upper and middle course only by a few scattered 

 groups of Indians, negroes, and gold-hunters. The first white settlements are 

 seen some 38 miles above the estuary, and even these are nearly all occupied 

 by convicts. Free colonisation in this district is represented only by a few 

 plantations which were granted to some Algerian Arabs after their discharge from 

 detention. 



Saint- J ea», which lies farthest up the river, has the advantage of railway com. 

 munication with the capital of the penal colony ; but the surrounding district is 

 marshy and unhealthy. Sai)d-Laurent, a little lower down, also on the right 

 bank of the Maroni, is better situated, and here reside the directors of the penal 

 station. The cabins of the Negro, Arab, and Annamite convicts occupy the sunny 

 glades of a densely -wooded park not far from the cemetery. 



Opposite Saint-Laurent stands the village of Albiiia, the only settlement 

 founded by the Dutch on the left bank of the Maroni. In Portal Island, a little 

 higher up, is situated the most important plantation in French Guiann, occupied 

 mainly with the production of roucou. 



