190 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



the use of these weapons, is sufficient not only to stun, but to 

 kill a man on the spot. 



The Dutch have always been attentive to conciliate the In- 

 dians. About the year 1770, General Desalve sent over to 

 Europe from Berbice, an Indian youth, named Weekee, who 

 resided for education at Bergen-op-zoom. He was taught at 

 his own request, to be something of a tailor, and something of 

 a cook, imagining he could then provide, after the European 

 manner, for his back and for his belly. But finding himself, 

 with all his acquirements, no nearer the obtainal of cloth and 

 food, he ceased to value these dexterities. After a year or 

 two, he expressed a longing desire to return to the colony, 

 and was no sooner landed on the shores of Guyana, than he 

 stripped off his European incumbrances, and returned to his 

 native woods, where he ended his days as he began theni, 

 among the beloved companions of his youth, in nakedness> 

 idleness, and freedom. Had this lad been apprenticed to a 

 carpenter, or a blacksmith, it is probable he would have found 

 both the means and motive to have used his acquireriients at 

 home : these are the mechanic arts which first station them- 

 selves among savages, and which become the causes of the 

 succeeding steps in civilization. 



The policy of the British government is much to be com-* 

 mended for following the practice of the Dutch, in keeping 



