History of Demerara— 1763. 237 
The Dutch nobleman to whom most of the letters were 
addressed appears to have taken a great interest in the 
colony, and the Clarkes desired and expected that he 
would use his influence with the States-General and the 
West India Company, to put Demerara in a better 
position. The following particulars concerning this 
gentleman are taken from Burke's " Peerage," article 
" Portland" :— 
" WILLIAM, (Bentinck), of Rhoon and Pendrecht in Holland, 
and Terrington St. Clements, county Norfolk, born 1704, created a 
Count of the Holy Roman Empire, for himself and all his descendants 
by the Emperor Charles VI., 1732, married 1733, the Countess 
Charlotte-Sophie, only daughter and heir of Anthony II, Count 
of Aldenburgh, Sovereign Lord of Kniphausen, Varel, &c. by the 
Princess Wilhelmina-Maria of Hesse Homburg, his wife, and dying 
in 1774, left by her two sons." 
Captain Robert Douglas to Count Bentinck, introducing Gedney Clarke, 
Junior. Bergen op Zoon, July 12, 1762. 
This letter will be delivered to your Excellency by Mr. 
Gedney Clarke, junior, a gentleman who has large 
possessions in Demerary, and who has left England and 
come to this country on purpose to see what good we 
can get done for the inhabitants of that infant and 
negro starved colony ; a motive that I am sure will 
recommend him to the favour and protection of your 
Excellency. 
Mr. CLARKE will have the honour of delivering to your 
Excellency a Bundle of Night Caps which Lt.-Col. Keith 
in passing here for the Army gave me for your Excel- 
lency, and which I have taken this opportunity of 
sending, as a very severe indisposition hindered me 
from accompanying Mr. Clarke to the Hague. I flatter 
GG 2 
