324/ STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



of it, justifies the general opinion. A guard was kept on 

 board the vessel during her stay, and after her departure, re- 

 ports began to circulate, which gained credit, as neutral ves- 

 sels arrived from the West India islands, stating that an ex- 

 pedition was fitting out at Barbadoes, intended for the reduc- 

 tion of these colonies. The governor no doubt was acquainted 

 with its destination; however, to keep up appearances, he 

 made no relaxation in providing means for defence, his family 

 and furniture were removed from town to the Rome estate, no 

 doubt to preserve the one from the dangers and hardships of 

 the seat of war, and the other from the destruction which 

 would necessarily accrue to a town being stormed by the British 

 ships of war; all these reflections were properly considered 

 and weighed in the mind of his Excellency, and were acted 

 on with a visible degree of spirit, to impress on the minds 

 of those under his government, opinions which he did not 

 perhaps thoroughly entertain. Several of the Dutch inhabi- 

 tants of Stabroek, actuated by the example set them by Mr. 

 Meertens, also removed their books, papers, and articles of 

 value, to places of greater safety. 



A short time had elapsed since the departure of the flag of 

 truce, when the river was blockaded by an English sloop of 

 war, the Netley. A gentleman was landed from her on the 

 east coast, who made arrangements with the planters for send- 

 ing out their colony schooners to be captured for the time 



