SETTLEMENTS OK THE DEMERARY, &C. 1SI5 



given time, with the farther inducement of a larger grant, should 

 the terms of the first have been complied with; and as a punish- 

 ment for non-compliance, a fine was to be levied, which, if not 

 paid, the land and improvements were to be sold for that pur- 

 pose. A governor was appointed, and a conditional code of laws 

 was given by the West Indian company of Holland, subject 

 to the approbation of the States general. Such internal taxes 

 were made by the governor and his council, who were ap- 

 pointed by the burghers, or inhabitants, as were requisite to de- 

 fray the expenses of the colony. 



Coffee, cotton, cocoa, and indigo, were the articles of pro- 

 duce, the culture of which was first attempted on the banks 

 of the Essequebo, and as the planters did not labour under 

 the disadvantages which most new settlers are liable to, great 

 expectations were entertained of their success, both on account 

 of its vicinity to Surinam, and to the West India islands, from 

 which the new adventurers derived considerable assistance. 

 Sugar was soon after introduced, and cocoa and indigo aban- 

 doned, as not aft'ording an emolument equivalent to their ex- 

 pectations, owing to the great quantity produced and im- 

 ported from Asia by the Dutch East India company. 



Many wise and beneficial laws were instituted tending 

 to benefit the colony, and promote the welfare of its inha- 

 bitants ; who, from having left their native home to settle 



