SETTLEMENTS PN THE DEMERARY, kc. IS 



bounded on the east by ^erbice, and to the westward by Esse-- 

 quebo. The river at its entrance is nearly a mile and a half 

 broad, and has a bar four miles without of mud, over which 

 no vessel drawing more than nine feet, can pass until half flood. 



At high water and spring tides, there are eighteen feet on 

 this bar ; but great care must be taken by vessels going in, tQ 

 keep well up to the east shore. When the mariner is close 

 enough to perceive the shipping, fort, &c. he should keep 

 bearing E. S. E. untij he gets within a mile and a half of it, 

 then keep the river a little more open, which brings him intq 

 a channel where there are three or four fathoms of >vater, by 

 which means .clears tjie weather-bank of sand, which runs 

 Qut from the point ; just round which is a battery caljed Fort 

 William Frederic, mounting eighteen heavy pieces of cannon. 

 Half a mile east from it, is a block-house, which has a com- 

 manding view of the sea, and a communication by signal 

 with Berbice, which gives immediate notice of any vessels 

 being off the coast. 



Captain Barrow went on shore to report the vessel to the 

 commandant, when he got a passport for going up the river. 

 We were then visited by the surgeon of health and the har- 

 bour-master, who left their respective instructions : we were 

 not troubled by any custom-house officer. A clerk of the 

 merchant, to whom I was to be attached, came on board in the 



