188 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



Government house was evacuated, and the insurgents re- 

 treated across the Canje; they were pursued by a party of the 

 . Surinam troops, when a partial engagement took place ; the 

 troops crossed the Canje, but were soon obliged to retreat, the 

 mutineers having extended themselves on both sides the road 

 in a field of cotton, fired upon them from their place of am- 

 bush, as a company of riflemen ; several were wounded and 

 one life lost ; none of the insurgents, as it appeared afterwards, 

 were hurt in this affray. The 9th of May was employed in 

 collecting the remainder of the forces from Surinam, and the 

 evening was the appointed time for making an attack on the 

 fort ; the Serpent was to attempt a landing of troops on the 

 side next the river, while a strong body was to attack it on 

 the land side ; little doubt was entertained for the success of 

 this plan. The following morning. Captain Van Evers com- 

 manding the troops from Surinam, very politely offered me a 

 conveyance across the river in his boat, which I accepted ; we 

 were obliged to land a considerable way above New Amster- 

 dam, to keep out of reach of the shot which were flying in 

 all directions from the fort; they were evidently intended 

 against the post at government house, but the artillery was so 

 ill directed, that many of them went into the town, and others 

 ohliged the vessels and boats in the river to slip their cables. 

 The burghers were called out to preserve the j>eace of the 

 town, and two large ships were pressed for the service as. 

 prison ships. I was amused by a very novel scene, about twa 



