History of Demerara — 1763. 245 
river till the 1 7th March, and my father was so very 
expeditious he got his vessels away from Barbados by 
the 28th same month, but eleven days in all. I make 
no doubt but our people will behave like men if they 
are attacked ; but I think it a hardship that my father 
should be at all this expense alone, and I think the 
Company should repay him with thanks, and take 
warning from this dismal catastrophe how they leave 
their colony unguarded. I have wrote to Middelburg 
about these matters, and to Count Bentinck at full 
length, and I think you should immediately set off to 
consult that Nobleman and the Directors of the Company 
to send some succour and relieve my father, who ventures 
his private fortune for the whole colony. This is the 
most terrible work that could have happened to us, and 
unless a whole Regiment is sent into those parts, and all 
the Caribbees brought to extirpate these wretches at 
once, depend upon it' our colony will never thrive. 
Good God ! who would have thought it. I pity Messrs. 
J. Martin and ANGELY, for I suppose they have lost 
likewise. Pray my service to them and advise them to 
settle now in Demerary if we get clear. This is a most 
serious affair, and the Company should immediately 
build a town and erect Batteries on Borselen Island, 
which would always secure the River Demerary and be 
a proper place for the shipping to be at anchor to load. 
Let me again repeat that it is necessary you should use 
your utmost endeavours to get succours sent out to the 
colony, and between ourselves I don't know whether 
you have not now a good opportunity at Amsterdam to 
come in for a share of our trade. I shall be very 
anxious to know the result of your negotiations. 
HH 2 
