5220 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



beams, and a mattress stuffed with plantain leaves and covered 

 with cotton bagging, was lying in one corner. A hogshead 

 of salt fish, a barrel each of salt beef, tobacco and salt, had 

 been rolled into another. To this variety of articles, must also 

 be added, to make up the inventory, a few smoked queriman, 

 which were extended from the ceiling, twenty or thirty 

 bunches of plantains, and several thousand ears of Indian corn 

 or maize, with three or four old shovels. Scarcely was there 

 ever such a collection of filth, vermin, household furniture, 

 plantation stores, and provisions ever got together before. 

 The other end of the building was occupied by sick ne- 

 groes, who were then employed in picking and cleaning 

 cotton ; the center was filled with ginnies, machines used for 

 separating the seed from the wool. I was soon driven from 

 my seat by some dirt, which fell on my head from the ceil- 

 ing, on looking up, I discovered several chickens sitting on 

 the beams, which accounted for it. There appeared to be a 

 considerable quantity of stock feeding about the house, such 

 as turkies, ducks, fowls, cabborettos, and pigs, which, on 

 enquiry afterwards, I found to belong to the Indian lady of 

 the mansion. 



I was soon apprised of Mynheer Vos's arrival, by his blow- 

 ing a shell at the door to call his negroes in to dinner ; after 

 which he made his appearance, gave me a most cordial shake 

 of the hand, as is the custom of the country, and inquired 



