04 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



tient till the hour is come, which the tardy post-master has 

 appointed for the deUvery of letters and news papers. 



A weekly paper is published here, entided the Essequebo and 

 Demerary Gazette. The proclamations of government are 

 inserted both in the Dutch and in the English language. Some 

 diverting mixtures of dialect occur in the advertisements: but 

 the English language is constantly gaining ground, as the 

 new settlers all bring that dialect. The European and other 

 news is given in English, and is extracted, as may happen, 

 from the Barbadoes, the Liverpool, the London, or the Balti- 

 more papers. The mass of advertisements respects sales of 

 slaves, of stores, and of estates. 



The state or court house is a large white building, about one 

 hundred feet long and thirty-five feet wide, and two stories 

 and a half high. It is situated on the side of the river in front 

 of Stabroek, one end facing the river to the westward, and 

 the other one east. On the second floor is the council cham- 

 ber, court of justice, and Secretary's office, where the colo- 

 nial business is transacted. The business of the Secretary's 

 office is done by the Colonial Secretary and six or eight 

 clerks. All deeds, contracts, wills, letters of attorney, transfers 

 of estates, mortgages, the proceedings of the courts of po- 

 lice and justice, are recorded here. The Secretary is also a 

 notary public, and a sworn translator. 



