EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



was expected by the majority of the inhabitants, who 

 fled from their eftates, and cronded to the town of Para- 

 maribo for prote6lion. In this fituation of affairs, the 

 inhabitants were obliged to have recourfe to the dan- 

 gerous refolution of forming a regiment of manumitted 

 ilaves, to fight againfl their own countrymen. When 

 we confider the treatment which was fo generally exer- 

 cifed againft the flaves of this fettlement, it muft fur- 

 prife the reader to be told, that this hazardous refolution 

 bad providentially the defired effedt. Thefe brave men 

 performed wonders above expe6lation, in conjunction 

 with the Colonial or Society troops, whofe ftrength and 

 numbers alone were no longer thought fufficient to de- 

 fend this fettlement. But not to rely abfolutely on fuch 

 precarious affiftance, the fociety of Surinam made ap- 

 plication to his ferene highnefs the Prince of Orange for a 

 regular regiment, and our corps was in confequence dif- 

 patched in the manner which has been already related.. 

 As, however, the events which preceded our arrival were 

 of the utmoft importance, I fhall endeavour to lay be- 

 fore my readers the moft authentic information I was 

 able to obtain. 



The regular troops from Europe that belong to the fo- 

 ciety of Surinam, were intended to be twelve hundred men 

 when complete, divided into two battalions, paid partly by 

 the fociety, and partly by the inhabitants : but they can ne- 

 ver produce that number in the field, for many reafoas— 

 fuch as their either dying on their paffage, Vy hile they 



