History of Demerara — 1763. 241 
purchase had just arrived, when he heard that there was 
an insurrection of the negroes at Berbice ; that they had 
taken possession of the greatest part of the Plantations ; 
and that the Governor had blown up the Fort, and made 
his escape on board a ship that lay very near ; and that they 
gave out they would proceed to Demerary and Essequebo, 
and do the same there. Upon this intelligence Mr. 
WILTSHIRE returned as fast as he could and arrived here 
last Monday evening. On Tuesday I despatched a vessel 
with some arms and ammunition, and yesterday I des- 
patched a ship of Eighteen guns and two armed brigan- 
tines with Lieutenant TOWERS and one hundred marines 
and sailors, that Capt. WHULOCH, of his Majesty's ship 
Pembroke (Admiral RODNEY not being here) was so 
kind as to send in the ship. In the Brigantines there 
were Capt. JACOB Smith's Company of Men raised 
here, besides the sailors ; and I shall send a vessel over 
to-morrow ; so that I hope if the negroes don't pay the 
visit before those vessels arrive, all may be safe. 
I have wrote to tell Mr. GRAVESANDE and desired he 
would order the ships from Essequebo to Demerary 
to make a proper stand there ; as the plantations are all 
upon the brink of the river, one armed vessel would 
defend a plantation against the attack of many thousand 
negroes. But I do not expect that they will be sent. 
I despatched also a vessel on Tuesday to Governor 
De WlNDT, desiring he would without delay send up 
some armed sloops and men. 
The negroes of Berbice it is said have sent to Deme- 
rary that those that will not join them they will cut off. 
I have, Sir, had great trouble, and been at a vast 
expense in my buildings, and to clear the plantations 
