EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



rometimes near two hundred pounds weight *. It is here c H a p, 

 called grow-munecky or grey friar, and is faid to be of , 

 the cod genus, to which it bears forae refemblance in 

 lliape and colour, the back being a dark olive brown, 

 and the belly white ; it w^as foon cut up into large flices, 

 feveral of which I purchafed, and fent as preferits to my 

 friends; as it was, in my opinion, even fuperior to turbot. 

 It is an inhabitant of the fea, but is fometimes to be met 

 with in the rivers. The negroes here are the only fiflier- 

 men, and are regularly trained up to this profeffion by 

 their mafters, who make them pay a certain fum weekly. 

 If they are expert and induilrious, they foon acquire 

 money for themfelves, and fome even become rich\ but, 

 on the contrary, if they are indolent, and do not fulfil 

 their weekly engagements, they are certain to be puniflied 

 very feverely. 



This cuftom is alfo common to many other trades, and 

 by perfeverance and fobriety they are adlually enabled to 

 live happily. Thus I have known flaves in Surinam, who 

 have bought flaves for their own ufe. Some purchafe 

 their freedom from their mafters, whilft others keep 

 their money, preferring to be the flave of an indulgent 

 mafter ; being, fo long as they continue Haves, free from 

 all duties and taxes, which, in cafe of manumifiion, they 

 become liable to. A particular inftance of this kind was 

 a negro blackfmith, named Jofepb, who being offered his 



* Dr. Fermyn is miftaken, when he fays this fifli weighs but forty pounds. 



Vol. 1. • P P 4 liberty 



