NARRATIVE OF AN 



the plant : ia this lltuation the liquor is drawn off into 

 another tub, which is fomething lefs, when the remain- 

 ing tralli is carefully picked up and thrown away ; and 

 the very noxious fmell of this refufe it is that occafions 

 the peculiar unhealthinefs which is always incident to 

 this bufinefs. Being now in the fecond tub, the mafh is 

 agitated by paddles adapted for the purpofe, till by a 

 fkilful maceration all the grain feparates from the water, 

 the firft finking like mud to the bottom, while the latter 

 appears clear and tranfparent on the furface : this water, 

 being carefully removed till near the coloured mafs, the 

 remaining liquor is drawn off into a third tub, to let 

 what indigo it may contain alfo fettle in the bottom ; 

 after which, the laft drops of water here being alfo re- 

 moved, the fediment or indigo is put into proper veffels 

 to dry, where being divefted of its laft remaining moif- 

 ture, and formed into fmall, round, and oblong fquare 

 pieces, it is become a beautiful dark blue, and fit for ex- 

 portation. The beft indigo ought to be light, hard, and 

 fparkling. In Surinam but little of it is cultivated, for 

 what reafon I know not, fince one pound is fold for 

 about four fl.orins, which is about feven fiiillings in fter- 

 ling money. 



It is faid this article was firft introduced by one 

 Def^rades, who called himfelf a French officer, and 

 muft have brought it from the ifland of St. Domingo 

 very lately, fince I myfelf was well acquainted with this 

 poor fellow, who fince fliot himfelf through the head 

 with a piftol at Demerary. — As the circumftances of his 



death 



