302 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



marshy track compelled our attention to a path, which to our 

 surprise, appeared to have been lately used, but our attentive 

 host was in the secret, for on our arrival at the creek, which 

 stopped all progress, we found a party of negroes, who had 

 been dispatched before, with a cold collation, with punch, 

 malt liquor, and wines. After partaking these refreshments, 

 we mounted our horses again, and proceeded to the cottage, 

 where the party had engaged to dine. "We reached this estate 

 about four o'clock in the afternoon, after travelling upwards 

 of twenty miles, quite tired and fatigued. An excellent din- 

 ner, aided by the sparkling charms of Madeira and claret, and 

 the happy cordiality with which Mr. B. receives and enter- 

 tains his friends, soon dispelled all weariness, and it was not 

 till near morning that this joyous party separated. 



Mahaicony is the principal place in the colony where the 

 colonial craft are built ; all the materials for which, except 

 nails and iron work, are procured from the interior ; they are 

 generally from thirty to forty tons burthen, schooner rigged, 

 with covered decks, they draw only five feet water, and are 

 navigated by negroes. A principal part of the allotments were 

 granted to Dutchmen, but the opinion which they had ori- 

 ginally founded was not completely eradicated. Some attempts 

 had been made by them to cultivate the sea coast, but these 

 not succeeding as they expected, little more was done in it. 

 Indeed they were soon glad to dispose of their grants, and on 



