SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 323 



perhaps live to unteach the prejudices and errors, which they 

 put into such destructive activity. 



It is of no small importance for Great Britain to remember, 

 that to the fear of these dangerous opinions and of a servile war, 

 was owing the first intimation of a disposition among the inha- 

 bitants of Essequebo and the adjoining districts, to throw them- 

 selves under British protection. These colonies were con- 

 quered, as the acts of parliament phrase it, under the implied 

 engagement to maintain subordination in opposition to anarchy; 

 and I should much fear from the Dutch proprietors, the avowal 

 of a disposition to resume their ancient allegiance, if Bonaparte 

 and his dependent kings become the patrons of vassalage, and 

 Great Britain, of emancipation. The condition of the negroes 

 is here the question which men have most at heart. 



It was soon after the capture of Saint Lucia by the British, 

 that a flag of truce arrived from Barbadoes with an Essequebo 

 proprietor on board, who had very frequent conferences with 

 the governor, the time he remained, which was only two days, 

 and who was said to be the bearer of some communication, 

 or terms, from the commanders in chief of the British forces. 

 Thus far is certain, that, unless he came over in an official ca- 

 pacity, he could not have obtained passports, as a flag of truce, 

 merely for his private concerns ; and the universal silence 

 maintained as to the object of his mission, no less than the event 



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