182 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



and the fortifications almost untenable and incapable of de- 

 fence at a time when the combined squadrons were in these 

 seas. Various other charges were brought against Governor 

 Van Batenburg, which are stated in the resolutions. 



The meetings of the colonists were held atone of the taverns 

 in New Amsterdam, which, by the unjustifiable mandates of 

 the said governor, was thereupon closed, thus depriving an 

 industrious man of the only means he had of obtaining a live- 

 lihood. No other pretext was given for this proceeding, than 

 that the tavern keeper refused obeying his excellency's order 

 for not permitting any seditious meetings at his house. Ano- 

 ther step which the governor took to harrass and exert his 

 power over the planters, was to make an immediate demand 

 upon them for " acre geldt,'" viz. acre money, to the levy of 

 which the recent extension of boundary had in no small de- 

 gree augmented his rights. 



When Surinam capitulated to the British in August 1799, 

 his excellency, Governor Van Batenburg, went there to nego- 

 tiate with Governor Frederici, respecting the land between the 

 Devil's Creek and the Courantine ; and on his return he made 

 the result known, which was, that Surinam had conceded to 

 Berbice the track of country between the Devil's Creek and 

 the river Courantine. This addition of territory was a favour- 

 able circumstance for Berbice. The sea coast extending nearly 



