Colonial Jottings. 97 
also, which they made into cigars and afterwards sold them 
for twelve dollars a thousand. 
The soil of the numerous hills of the Waini and Barima 
Rivers is rich, consisting of ochreous clay intermixed with 
some mould and gravel, and almost the best kind of soil 
for the cultivation of coffee. The coffee at present grow- 
ing on Conuballi Hill, in the Waini, and again on the hills 
of Moruca River, and also on Cabacaburi mission, 
Pomeroon River, is the best proof I can offer in support 
of what I have stated respecting the superior quality of 
the soil of the elevated sands of those rivers. 
I had occasion, in a previous communication, to re- 
mark that a Mr. S., a traveller had visited Pomeroon river, 
and had extended his journey to the Waini. Mr. S.'s let- 
ter of the 15th April, 1829, gives me to understand that on 
his return to Pomeroon he found it necessary to write a 
"sharp" letter to the Post-holder of Pomeroon in answer 
to some unfriendly remarks the Post-holder was reported 
to have made about the traveller ; but without entering 
into particulars the apparent coldness between the two 
men may be told in few words as follows : — 
The Government of that day under General MURRAY, 
afterwards under General D'Urban, attached so much 
importance to the arrival of Spaniards to settle in this 
colony that instru6tions were sent to the Posl-holder to 
watch over them, and to forbid all unnecessary inter- 
ference with them by travellers or by any other persons ; 
indeed, that persons wishing to travel through the north- 
west district of the colony must provide themselves with 
passports. Mr. S. being looked upon as a spy, and lest 
his mixing among the Indians of Moruca, &c. should 
N 
