advised me to take some astringent cordials; but I thought it was
most likely owing to the water I had drank, containing some particles
which disagreed with me. My reason for this opinion was,
because I felt myself unwell the very first day after drinking some
of the water; but the second day, by drinking a larger quantity, I
directly after became very much indisposed, and attacked by an
acrimonious humour in my stomach. I therefore ordered a contrary
prescription to what had been proposed to me,* and promising
that if I did not become very soon restored, I would follow their
better advice; however, there was not necessity for keeping my promise,
as in the course of two days I was as well as when I first
landed here. But as I only intend to stay a few days longer in this
island, I shall have no opportunity of investigating with more certainty
what occasioned my disorder. I therefore only take the
precaution, while I am here, to drink the water always mixed either
with white syrup, -or in lemonade; yet, I continue still to eat
the different fruits as before, without experiencing the least bad
effect from them. It very likely happens to many new-comers
in the Tropics, that the origin of their disorder is often mistaken,
and therefore a wrong diet is proposed to them, and a contrary
medicine prescribed, by which the mortality among strangers is so
much increased^
The day after to-morrow a Swedish brig will sail to St. Christopher’s,
and she intends by the way, to touch at St. Lucia, from
thence there are always vessels going to Barbadoes, and from that
island to Surinam is the only course which is left me. I have therefore
taken a passage in the Swede. When I visited the commandant
of St. Pierre he politely wished me a more happy voyage than I
had before, adding, that as he knew this brig would be crowded
very much with passengers, be would write to the Swedish Consul,
recommending me particularly to him, and requesting him to be so
* Cagtor oil.
' good as to speak with the captain, to procure me the best accommodation..
Two officers of the: custona-house Wave likewise tcnlled upon me,
and decliared ^they wished that tlie luggage I had lost when the
Jason was taken, had been ’broughti to» Ma r ti ni co,..m winch ease,;.
I should certainly hare had it all restored to me,; adding; that if I
gave them a specification of what I lad dost* they .would; Write to
the custom-house officers at Guadaloiape, to try whether they could
get them back, or if I would fix the-price of the articles, .it should
be deducted from the sum gained by. .the privateer, in selling ,tshe-
Jason. I ‘gave them ? the npecificatipai : hut without: valuing tny
goods; and the prize-master of the Jason assured me*, that he would
do. his utmost, as soon as lie arrived/at; liGrnadyiaape, to find my
things, and send them to me ac<^ording to - the direction which X
gavel him; but he added, that the crews of priyafop%io the first
moment when a ship is^taken,will often plunder the passengers;
and i t fe sometimes out a f the power of any officer, even of the cap-;
tain himself, to make them restore the property that lias been taken.
He was very sorry to say he had reason to suppose, that this might
be the ease at this time, there being so many bad subjects ,on
board the privateer. I was satisfied with this declaration from him,
thinking it best to put the loss, in my account, under the articles pf
unexpected expences, for which travellers should be particularly
prepared. -
leaving Martinico, I will only add, that near St, Pierre a
botanical garden has been recently formed, and by the arrangement
made and.the attention observed, promises to become a very valuable
institution.
There are also two very considerable lib ra rie sth is town; while,
it as said,in many of the other islands there is nothing of the kind.
Indeed I should like to have renmaned longer in Martinico if I had
come in some other way, and had been better provided than I am now»