30© STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



• Such was .their deplorable situation in 1194^, when very- 

 alarming symptoms appeared among the bush negroes, who 

 had been a considerable time in collecting, and were now at 

 this period arrived at such a pitch of temerity, that it was 

 necessary they should be checked. 



The Dutch troops, with a few negroes, were accordingly 

 detached to the west coast of Demerary, where they entered 

 the bush ; but after beating about several days, and having 

 many skirmishes with the insurgents, in which they were de- 

 feated, from being worn out with fatigue, they were obliged 

 to return to the sea coast again, in time to behold the remains 

 of their barracks perishing by the flames, which had been 

 communicated to them by a party of the maroon negroes sent 

 out for provisions. They murdered the manager and a mu- 

 latto girl, burnt all the buildings they could approach, one of 

 which had been appropriated for the troops, and stole every 

 thing which was at all valuable, or that could be conveyed away. 

 Such daring outrages as these had the appearance of leading to 

 dangerous consequences, to ward off which the governor and 

 council thought it adviseable to call on the inhabitants for their 

 assistance, for which purpose, many of them volunteered for 

 the service, and a company of rangers was raised, consisting 

 of negroes, which were contributed by the different estates, 

 and placed under the command of Major M. Grath, under 

 whom were Captains Dougan, Johnson, &c. with others in 



