SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 183 



fifty miles, and the west bank of the Courantine were immedi- 

 ately surveyed and laid out into regular allotments : and though 

 grants could not be obtained for them from Holland^ and the 

 British government would not interfere in them, the governor 

 and court of police gave sufficient recommendations, or provi- 

 jsional grants, which induced speculators and adventurers to 

 commence their labors. Carriage roads were now made, and 

 communications were opened with the Courantine, the 

 west bank of which river soon participated in the cultivation 

 ©f the sea coast ; the former in coffee and plantations, and the 

 latter in cotton. Nothing was now wanting to proceed to 

 Surinam by land, but the same active exertions on that side 

 the Courantine, which the Berbice planters had manifested on 

 their part. 



British capital, industry, and perseverance, had accom- 

 plished in eight years, what would not have been done by 

 any other means in half a century. They had populated and 

 brought into an useful state, a track of country which appeared 

 by nature attached to the sea, a low marshy sea coast, covered 

 with overgrown timber and underwood, and inundated by 

 every rising tide, was now transformed into a colony, bestow- 

 ing riches on its founders and support to several thousand in- 

 dividuals. The extent of this land, stolen, if I may use the 

 term, from the sea, is one hundred and fifty miles, be- 

 tween the Demerary and Courantine, Carriage roads were 



