SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, ^^C. 277 



The officers and troops entered into our service. It is now 

 no secret that General Whyte's expedition originated in the 

 invitation of the inhabitants. A deputation had been sent to 

 Barbadoes to represent the situation of the colonies to the Bri- 

 tish commanders. The first attempt to land was made a few 

 miles to windward of the river. The boats unfortunately 

 grounded about a quarter of a mile from the shore, without 

 being able either to return to the shipping or get nearer the 

 land, for the depth of mud was four or five feet ; here they 

 remained twelve hours, exposed to the rays of the tropical sun, 

 and in case the inhabitants, or Dutch forces, had been averse 

 to their measures, before they could have effected a landing 

 or returned to the fleet, I would venture to say, the musquetry 

 and grape shot from the shore would have made that perfectly 

 unnecessary when the tide returned. Seeing the inefficacy of 

 attempting a landing, when the flood rose, a signal was 

 made for the boats to return, and the next morning Lieut.- 

 Col. Hislop* was sent, in a flag of truce, to Stabroek, to sum- 

 mons Demerary and Essequebo, to surrender to the British, 

 who would take possession of the colonies for and in the name 

 of the Stadtholder ; contracting parties were appointed, and 

 the capitulation signed, which guaranteed all private property, 

 except that which was floating, and a continuance of the 

 Dutch laws, offices, and religion. His excellency Anthony 



* Since Brigadier-General and Governor of Trinidad. 



