SOUTH AMERICA. 
183 
setting out from town, not to leave you in the forest, 
happen what might.” By slow and careful marches, 
as much as the obstructions in the woods would 
admit of, the party reached Plantation Alliance, on 
the bank of the Demerara, and from thence it crossed 
the river to Plantation Vredestein. 
The news of the rencounter had been spread far and 
wide by the Indians, and had already reached town. 
The General, Captains Macrai and Johnstone, and 
Doctor Dunkin, proceeded to Vredestein. On ex¬ 
amining Mr. Edmonstone’s wounds, four slugs were 
found to have entered the body; one was extracted, 
the rest remained there till the year 1824, when 
another was cut out by a professional gentleman of 
Port Glasgow. The other two still remain in the 
body; and it is supposed that either one or both 
have touched a nerve, as they cause almost continual 
pain. Mr. Edmonstone has commanded fifteen 
different expeditions in the forest in quest of the 
Maroons. The Colonial Government has requited 
his services, by freeing his property from all taxes, 
and presenting him a handsome sword, and a silver 
urn, bearing the following inscription : 
THIRD 
JOtIRNHY. 
“ Presented to Charles Edmonstone, Esq. by the Governor 
and Court of Policy of the Colony of Demerara, as a token of 
their esteem, and the deep sense they entertain of the very great 
activity and spirit, manifested by him, on various occasions, in 
his successful exertions for the internal security of the Colony. 
—January Is#, 1809. 
I do not believe that there is a single Indian in General 
rcniErks 
ci-devant Dutch Guiana who can read or write, nor 
