NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP. IV. 



Short Interval of Peace and Plenty — 'The Colony plunged in 

 new Dijlrefs by a frejh Infurre&ion^ and nearly ruined^ 

 Review of the Troops for its Defence — An Action with 

 the Rebels — Gallant Behaviour of a black Corps — I'be 

 Arrival of Colonel Fourgeoud's Marines, 



T N 1764, gold and filver fpecie being fcarce, cards were 

 ftampedy to the amount of 40,000 1. value, which 

 paffed as cafh, at a difcount of ten per cent. 



In 1765, a confiderable degree of commotion was ex- 

 cited in the colony, on account of a free negro woman, 

 called Elizabeth Sampfon, marrying an European ; Ihe 

 Avas worth above 100,000 L fterling, inherited from her 

 m after, whofe ilave flie had formerly been : having 

 addreffed herfelf to their High Mightinefles, her re- 

 queft was granted ; and accordingly, being chriftened, 

 flie entered into the lawful bond of matrimony with a 

 Mr. Zubli. 



In the fucceeding year the colony was vifited by an. 

 earthquake, which however did very little damage. 



In 1769, the whole coaft was on fire, from Cayenne to 

 Demerary : this happened in the dry feafon, when all 

 the foreft is parched by the heat, and the underwood 

 choked with dried leaves. The flames, which were fup- 

 pofed to have been kindled by the negle6t of the In- 

 dians or rebels, were fo violent, that they threatened 



deftru(5lion 



