292 NABRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP. The Cuppy-tree refembles the wild chefnut, is hard^ 



■yTT 



knotty, and durable ; it is fawed into boards, and ufed 

 to enclofe the houfes for fences, inftead of brick and 

 Itone walls ; the timber is of a brown colour, and takes 

 a good polifli. 



For a better idea of this town, I fliall refer the reader 

 to the annexed plan ; and proceed to give fome further 

 account of its inhabitants. 



The whites or Europeans in this colony, and who re- 

 lide principally in town, are computed at five thoufand, 

 including the garrifon. The negro flaves at about 

 feventy-five thoufand. The military mount guard every 

 morning at eight o'clock, in the fortrefs ; but the fafety 

 of the town is entrufted to the burghers or militia, 

 who keep watch during the night. At fix o'clock in 

 the morning, and the fame hour in the evening, the 

 morning and evening guns are fired by the commanding 

 lliip in the harbour ; at the evening fignal, all the flags 

 are inftantlv lowered on board the different vefiels ; their 

 bells are fet a ringing, whilft the drums and fifes beat 

 the tattoo through the town. The watch is then fet, and 

 no negro of either fex is allowed to appear in the ftreets 

 or on the river, vrithout a proper pafs figned by his 

 owner; without this he is taken up, and infallibly flogged 

 the next morning. At ten at night, a band of black 

 drums beat the burgher, or militia retreat, through the 

 ilreets of Paramaribo. 



At 



