History of Demerara — 1763. 269 
or from some other principle, which I had much rather 
not suspe6t, much less believe. I therefore desire you, 
as I have already done your brother, to inform me with 
some detail of what your father has done and continues 
doing for the preservation and welfare of the colonies. 
You may be sure I will make the proper use of whatever 
you shall impart me. 
Translation. 
Gedney Clarke, Junr., to Count Bentinck. London, 13th August, 1764. 
Your Excellency's polite letter reached me safely, and 
I at once sent it on to my father, that he might see as 
you justly remark, that the inhabitants of the colony had 
not made mention as they promised to do in their letters, 
of the distinguished part he took in the recovery of 
the -colony during the last rebellion. It but too often 
happens, Sir, that a noble and generous disposition 
meets with selfishness in others. We cannot therefore 
be surprised to see these same people, who, when in 
trouble, implored my father's help, now that their ends 
are gained, deny with ingratitude the service, or what 
comes to the same thing, shamefully negle6t to mention 
their obligations when writing to their superiors. There 
are but two motives to which can be assigned such 
singular conduct. The one is Envy, which, as you 
know, Sir, always follows merit, the other, Avarice, 
which makes them fear being called upon to contribute 
their share towards the expenses of the expedition ; but 
I flatter myself that your Excellency's discernment 
will do justice to my father's conduct, so that not only 
will his expenses be re-imbursed, but that he will also be 
publicly thanked for having saved the colony, the destruc- 
tion of which would have been inevitable, if our forces 
