EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 9; 



We now paffed a number of fine plantations, but I CHAP, 

 could not help taking particular notice of the Cacao ^* 

 eftate, c^Wtd Alkmaar, fituated on the right fide in row- 

 ing up the river Comewina, which is no lefs confpi- 

 cuous for its beauty than for the goodnefs of its pro- 

 prietor, the invaluable lady the widow Godefroy, whofe 

 humanity and friendfliip muft always be remembered by 

 me with gratitude. 



At our arrival on the eftate Sporkefgift, I had the 

 pleafure to be the fpe6lator of an inltance of juftice which 

 afforded me the greateft fatisfadlion. 



The fcene conlifted in Mr. Macneyl's turning the over- 

 feer out of his fervice, and ordering him to depart from 

 the plantation in an inferior boat, called a ponkee^, to 

 Paramaribo, or wherever he thought proper ; which was 

 inftantaneoufiiy put in execution. The caufe of his 

 difgrace was having, by bad ufage and cruelty, caufed the 

 death of three or four negroes. His departure was made 

 compleatly joyful to alitheflaves, by an holiday, which 

 was fpent in fefi:ivity, by dancing and clapping hands on 

 a green before the dwelling-houfe windows- 



The overfeer's fentence was the more ignominious and 

 galling, as at the time of receiving it a negro foot-boy, 

 who was buckling his fhoes, was ordered back, and he was 

 defired to buckle them himfelf. The fpirited condudl of 

 this planter, the joy of his negroes, the falubrity of the 



* A ponkee is a flat-bottomed boat of four or fix oars, fcmethixig like a fquare-toed 

 fiioe : fometimes it has a tilt, and fometimes not. 



I country 



