The Colony of Surinam. 23 
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Government and laid before the States-General, for 
examination and approbation. But as soon as the colony 
is self-supporting and not in need of any subsidy, the 
accounts will be rendered by the Governor to the Colo- 
nial States, and the interference of the States-General 
will be at an end. 
It depends on the exertions and the energy both of 
the colonists and of those at home interested in the 
welfare of the colony, and on the Home Government to 
hasten a better future for Surinam. Is there lack of 
energy on the one side ; there is certainly want of 
interest and of liberal feelings and intentions on the side 
of the ruling powers at Home. It is a positive fa6t that 
the Government at Home and the States-General regard 
the yearly recurring need for a subsidy to the colony, as 
a burden on the nation ; and have proved themselves 
very illiberal in that respect. The Colonial Budget, as 
voted by the Colonial States, is yearly, minutely, I 
dare say, grudgingly, scrutinised and mutilated by the 
powers at home ; repeatedly the items for the most 
urgent and indispensable requirements of the colony, 
have been struck from the Budget : and, very frequently, 
items inserted in the Budget, pro memoria, to express 
the leading opinion in the States, with regard to the 
wants and necessities of the colony have found no 
indulgence nor mercy at home. 
It is indeed to be hoped that the nation and her 
representatives will some day recognize the facts of the 
case. Surinam is a magnificent colony and a most 
valuable possession of the Netherlands in South America. 
What British Guiana was and what it is now, will tell 
the Mother Country what are her interests in Dutch 
