SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 133 



But to return to the Essequebo river — Fort Island, about fif- 

 teen miles from tbe mouth, is the seat of the administrative go- 

 vernment, and the residence of the commander, who is president 

 of the court. A considerable expcnce was incurred here in 

 the erection of a battery, which mounted forty pieces of 

 cannon, with covered ways and ramparts, surrounded by a 

 deep moat, rover which a draw-bridge was thrown : this is 

 now fast decaying, the cannon are dismounted, and the fort is 

 totally deserted, save by the wash-women, who still find it a 

 convenient place for hanging linen to dry. A few starved 

 cattle of mynheer Blecker's, the tavern-keeper, are al- 

 lowed to browse there, being intended for the repast of the 

 very honourable members of the court of justice exclusively, 

 who in this instance, shew their spirit of selfishness, in not 

 permitting the numerous people that are obliged to dance 

 attendance, when the court is sitting, to share with them 

 the conveniency of the only tavern in the island, and indeed, 

 in the colony. If that generous hospitality, which is so preva- 

 lent throughout the colonies, was not practised here in a consi- 

 derable degree by some inhabitants, and in their private capa- 

 city by some members of court, the visitors would receive no 

 accommodation whatever. 



The river Supinama falls into the Essequebo. Many estates 

 and settlements are already made on its banks, and it is also 



