pli men ted her upon the superior order in which she keeps her
vassals. I had forgot to mention above, that this Belle Mama is far
advanced in age.
'J We dined a t Victoria and slept at Bluebergh. The fine scenery
around us, together with the apparent happiness of the negroes,
and the pleasant society of Mr. B. the director, contributed to make
our abode most agreeable. After staying here two days longer Mr,
B. accompanied us part of our way home.
April 30th.—In the afternoon we visited Reancour, which plantation
is under the inspection of Mr. B------m. We saw here a distinct
species of the coffee tree, indigenous to South America. The
present tree was but newly planted, and about the size of a peach
tree. It is said that the fruit hangs in ; clusters like .grapes; but
the shape of the berry resembles that of the Arabian coffee tree,
and is of the same taste, though a little more bitter, and when both
are mixed together are said to furnish a most, excellent beverage.
A promise has been made me. of a branch of this tree., when in
blossom, and another when the fruit is ripe. Perhaps by ingrafting
a branch of the Mocha coffee on this tree* a coffee of a. superior
quality might be obtained. ,
May 1, we spent at Worlsly Jacobs, the director being a particular.
acquaintance of Mr. S, and he also accompanied us in a
part of our journey home.
The following day we landed at Aucka, a considerable plantation,
where in 1761 peace was concluded with a large party of the hush
negroes who live in the vicinity of the river Surinam. Ever since
that time these people have been distinguished by the name of the
Aucka negroes. The origin of the bush negroes at Surinam was in
the year 1674, when by the treaty of Westminster, the Bulqh obtained
possession of Surinam. Whilst the English planters were
preparing to leave their estates, a party of the negroes took the opportunity
of deserting into the woods, and these fugitives were
afterwards joined by other runaway negroes; .and in 1712, when the
French admiral att&ekèdïtÉis coloif^tbe Dutch governor was afraid
that the negroes would be carried off,, and. therefore he advised the
planters to send them into the-interior parts of the colony; but when
the danger was over those negroes refused to return to their plantations;
and this was what might have been expected. They now
became a most formidable; enemy to the colony, and animated by
their^example, another alarming revolt broke out at the Oottica
river in 1772, which spread devastation to the most fertile parts of
the colony, and of which' Capt. Sled man has given at full description
in his Marrativei of the Campaign in
By the peace o f Aucka, which the Dutch concluded with the
bush negroes, the two most important articles the:1fumishing
them with fire arms, and allowing them to cpmé to Paramaribo to
traffick. But with regard to the fire arms, it may be remarked,, as
they are of a very inferior kind, they soon get out of repair; to #hichj
indeed, the great humidity of the air in the forests of Surinam materially
contributes. The second articled, which allows ■ them to come
to Paramaribo whenever they choose', is worthy of'serious consideration,
They allege that this is done on ly for the purposesof trading;
but they have, in fact, a near connection with the colonial negroes,
and it iis said that a^secret order actually ,eMstsiamong tlie negroes
here iu the- colonies. This institution they brought first ftorn Africa,
and the principal rules of it are said to consist m enga;ging themsel ves
by a most solemn oaths never to divulge their mysteriousrtransactions;
to observe the strictest obedience to ttye superiors whom
they havé elected among themsélves; and to- collect moneyfïfr their
common purposes. T have been msured by persons who ares ingreat
intimacy with female mulattoes; and who thus know more of this
secrèt business; that; there are numbers of negroes- in Surinam whoAre
embodied into the order. They give» to the superiors whom they haver
chosen, fidtirious names, in order to avoid discO^ery of their transae-
tions. It appears also, that they collect rhoney as ofteu as they find