NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, or ciTriofity. The colony of Surinam, in Dutch Guiana^ 

 ^' fo far as it is inhabited and cultivated by Europeans near 

 the fea-coaft, has indeed been known for many years 

 paft. But the deep inundations, with the impenetrable 

 thicknefs of the woods, have been fuch conitant difcou- 

 ragements and obftrudions to difcovery, that but very 

 little true information concerning that country has as yet 

 been obtained, except what relates to fuch objeds of 

 commerce as are common to moft of the tropical fettle- 

 ments. This publication, therefore, is chiefly intended 

 to particularize fuch circumftances and events as the ne- 

 ceffity of penetrating into the interior parts of the coun- 

 try have enabled mc to make^ and forced on my obfer- 

 vation* 



The feeling part of my readers, I muft hope, will re- 

 ceive with fome indulgence a work proceeding from an 

 officer, who, from his early youth, was debarred in ac- 

 quiring perfection, either as a writer or a painter, by his 

 military and maritime profeilion. I neverthelefs humbly 

 flatter myfelf that whatever may be found wanting in 

 ftyle and elegance, is in fome degree compenfated by that 

 fidelity and corre6lnefs, which can alone be the work of 

 a pen and pencil employed on the fpot. With refpeCt 

 to a few quaint expreflions, and even oaths, as fpoken by- 

 common foldiers, Jailors, &.c. that fometimes unavoidably 

 occur in the narrative of this wonderful expedition, I 

 muft humbly requeft the world not to be f?:artied at 

 them, not only becaufe the lhades of black and white 

 7 • enliven 



