EXPEDITION TO SURINAM, 



up and down Rio Cottica, between the Society pofts, La 

 Rochel at Patamaca, and Slans Welveren above the 

 laft plantation, to prevent the rebels from croffing the 

 river, to feize or kill them if poffible, and proted; the 

 eflates from their invalions : in all which operations I 

 was to be affifted, if neceffary, by the troops of the So- 

 ciety on the above polls, with whom I was alfo to deli- 

 berate on the proper Hgnals to be given in cafe of an 

 alarm. 



Having now time and opportunity, I vifited the fortrcfs 

 called New Amfterdam. 



This fortification was began in the year 1734) and 

 finifhed in 1747. It is built in the form of a regular pen- 

 tagon, with five baftions, being about three Englilli 

 miles in circumference, furrounded by a broad folfc, 

 which is fupplied from the river, and defended by a co- 

 vert way, well palifadoed. Its foundations are a kind of 

 rocky ground ; and its principal flrength by water a 

 large bank of mud off the point, fupported by a ftrong 

 battery of cannon, which prevents even flat-bottomed 

 vefTels from making any approach in that quarter; and 

 by croffing the fire of the guns with the oppofite re- 

 doubts, Leyden and Purmerent, it protects the entry of 

 both the rivers, Surinam and Gomewina, as I have faid 

 before : it has, befides, powder-magazines and vidtualling- 

 offices, and is Vv ell provided v/ith all the other necefTary 

 buildings for the ufe of a flrong garrifon. There are 

 iven a corn-windmill, and a ciitern whjch will hold 



above 



