History of Demerara— 1763. 275 
laws the right of preference and direct execution on 
those who fail in payment at fixed terms. But I am 
dwelling too long on these trifles. I have been obliged 
to open my heart at last, and write to the Directors 
naturally and without compliments, and as I had insisted 
on my resignation, I sent by Stoffel DiEFERENT my 
report on the state of affairs, in which I spoke pretty 
strongly ; and this is why I heard of his arrival with 
pleasure. I am the more gratified at having a6ted in 
this manner that I hear from- the Hague that their 
Honourables had asked for all my letters, written 
to the Directors since the beginning of the rebel- 
lion in Berbice, of which I have already seen the 
result, since it has pleased the Honourable Company 
to instruct the Commander-in-Chief of the Troops of the 
State at Berbice, to act in every way in concert with me. 
Therefore I flatter myself that these letters will have a 
very good effect. The expedition of the brave Smith 
has succeeded beyond expectation, not only in the 
destruction of a good number of the rebels, but the 
more so as it has, unintentionally, saved Demerara ; 
for his detachment has just fallen on a body of rebels 
who were assembled in this spot, to march on and attack 
Demerara, having two great white scoundrels (deserters, 
one from Berbice, the other from Surinam) at their head. 
Therefore on the return of this expedition, our colony 
made him a present of a thousand florins. I forgot to 
communicate that we have contracted with Captain 
BOUWERS for a new lot of slaves, to be furnished as soon 
as possiblejby him, so I think we will not be long in 
want of them. Press on I beg you M. De Bruyn to 
hasten his departure towards the coasts of Guiana. I 
MM 
