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tion, he was obliged to retreat, with the loss of fifty-one killed and wounded. The Generals Hunter and Morshead by this time opened a cannonade upon the Old Vigie, from their respective stations, the former distant about 500 yards, the latter 300; while à constant fire of musketry was kept up by the men from the adjoining canes. About two o'clock it was deemed practicable to carry the place by storm, and orders to that effect were given. Colonel Blair of the Buffs, and Major Stewart of the 42d regiment, headed the troops; the post was instantly carried, the enemy retreating with great precipitation to their other works, followed as expeditiously by the troops, who carried the two succeeding works in the same gallant manner.

The New Vigie was now the only object to be gained. About five o'clock the artillery was brought forward, and when just about to be opened, and the troops selected for storming, the enemy sent a flag of truce to General Abercrombie, with an offer of surrender, which was accepted, on their delivering up the other posts of Ouia, and Rabacaw and Mount Young, with their garrisons. About noon the next day they marched out with the honours of war, and laid down their arms, 460 men; and the same evening they were embarked on board the transports in the harbour. The English loss was 100 killed and wounded.

The Caribs, reduced to their own resources, sent, on the 15th, overtures of accommodation, on condition of retaining their lands and prerogatives as formerly. "They had burnt our houses and cane fields," they said, " and the English had burned their canoes, and destroyed their provisions; therefore, on the principle of retaliation, we had no just cause of complaint, or any plausible pretext for prolonging an unnecessary war." They were given to understand that nothing short of their unconditional surrender would be attended to, in which case their lives would be spared, and they would be treated with humanity. They requested until the 18th to consult about it, and promised to return an answer then.

On the 15th of July, General Abercrombie sent orders from Martinico to General Hunter to remove the Caribs to the island of Baliseau (one of the Grenadines), and to supply them with necessaries, until orders came from England concerning their future destination. General Hunter communicated his orders to the Carib chiefs on Friday, and if by the following Tuesday they were not complied with, hostilities were to recommence against them.

On Saturday and Sunday numbers came from the mountains, and took their position between the camp and the sea. On Monday morning, one of the chiefs requested an audience of Lieutenant

Coke's West Indies, vol ii. pp. 242, 243.

Colonel Haffy, and in his presence harangued the other Carib chiefs, upon the necessity of submitting, who all solemnly promised so to do: in the night the greater part of them, and the orator himself, escaped to the mountains.

In the morning Colonel Haffey, convinced of their treachery, made his dispositions to secure all he could; 280 were brought back to Calliaqua, and immediately removed to Baliseau. Lieutenant Laborde with thirty men was sent to Grande Sable, to receive the proffered submission of the Caribs in that district, and conduct them to Mount Young. He found their houses abandoned, and 200 of them in possession of an eminence, from whence they ordered him to withdraw instantly, declaring, at the same time, that they never would submit to the English. Mr. Laborde thought it prudent to obey their mandate. Lieutenant-Colonel Graham found a large party fortified near the bed of Colonarie River: he obeyed their invitation to approach, and displayed a white handkerchief in reply; when he had got within a few yards of their works, a volley of musketry killed and wounded so many of his men, that they retreated. Colonel Graham was badly wounded himself. From this time, the troops in various detachments destroyed their houses; more than 1000 were burnt in a few days, and several canoes of dimensions unheard of before among them. The whole force of the island was directed against the fugitives, who were soon compelled to yield, and then transported to Baliseau.

The quantity of provisions they possessed was almost incredible. On the 2d of October, Marin Padre, their commander, surrendered; he was a Negro belonging to St. Lucia.

On the 18th of October Major-General Hunter wrote to MajorGeneral Graham, to inform him, that since the 4th of July 725 brigands had surrendered, and 4633 Caribs, including women and children. From Baliseau, the Caribs were removed, by order of government, to the island of Rattan in the Bay of Honduras. Implements of husbandry were given them, and provisions sufficient to maintain them until their own crops should be ready.

April the 15th, General Whyte, with about 1300 men of the 39th, 93d, and 99th regiments, commanded by Colonels Tilson, Hislop, and Gammel, with a party of artillery under the command of Captain Bagot, sailed from Carlisle Bay, with a squadron under the command of Commodore Parr, to attack Essequibo and Demerara. Upon the 21st, the smaller vessels took on board the troops, and stood for the river, but they soon afterwards got aground, and remained so until the next flood tide. A flag of truce was sent to summon the fort.

Coke's West Indies, vol. ii.
Major-General Hunter's Official Letter.

pp. 244. 245.

Annual Register, 1796, p. 14.

66

By Major-General John Whyte, Commander of His Britannic Majesty's Land Forces, &c. &c. and Captain Thomas Parr, Commander of His Majesty's Ships, &c. &c. "These are requiring you, the governor and council, military and naval forces, of the colony of Demerara and its dependencies, to surrender the said colony to His Britannic Majesty's forces under our command, and to place the said colony under his Majesty's protection, and quietly and peaceably to submit to his Majesty's government.

"In which case the inhabitants shall enjoy full security to their persons, and the free exercise of their religion, with full and immediate enjoyment of all private property, whether on shore or afloat (excepting such as may appear to belong to the subjects of the French republic), according to their ancient laws and usages, or such other as may be determined upon previous to the colony's being placed under his Majesty's government, upon the most liberal and beneficial terms.

his

"That in the event of the colony's remaining under the British government at the conclusion of a general peace, they shall enjoy such commercial rights and privileges as are enjoyed by the British colonies in the West Indies. With regard to the military and naval forces, that the officers and men of the land forces shall, if agreeable to themselves, be received into the British pay, with leave, at the restoration of the Stadholder, to return into his service. Each non-commissioned officer and soldier shall receive, upon taking the oath of allegiance to His Britannic Majesty, to serve him faithfully during the war, where it may be thought proper to employ him, the sum of one hundred guilders. The officers to receive, upon the same conditions, the allowance of 200 days bat, baggage, and forage money, as paid to the British officers. The officers and men of the marine forces cannot be taken into the British service, until his Majesty's pleasure shall be known, but shall receive pay according to their rank, and every indulgence that can be allowed.

That the governor and all civil officers, after having taken the oaths of allegiance to his Majesty, which will be administered by Major-General Whyte, are (if they choose) to remain in their respective situations (excepting those who have shewn a decided partiality to the French interest), the governor only resigning the military command. Should such liberal terms be refused, the governor, council, and all concerned, must be answerable for the consequences, as an immediate attack will be made by the land and sea forces, which will render every resistance vain. Major-General

Bolinbroke's Voyage to Demerary, p. 272, 273.

Whyte and Captain Parr give the governor one hour, and no more, from the delivery of this by Lieutenant-Colonel Hislop, to

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"It is out of my power as yet to give a decisive answer to your summons, demanding a surrender of this colony to His Britannic Majesty's forces, as my duty requires me to lay it before the council, to whom it is also addressed, but which is not assembled at this moment. I will, however, call the members present together, and return about twelve o'clock an answer.

"I have the honor to remain, &c.
"ANTHONY BEAUJON,

"Governor of Demerary."

"To their Excellencies General Whyte and Commodore Parr."

"SIR,

"On board the Babet frigate, April 22, 1796. "We have been honoured with your letter in answer to ours of yesterday's date, summoning the colony of Demerary to surrender to His Britannic Majesty's arms, requesting for the reasons therein mentioned to have until twelve o'clock this forenoon to assemble the council to assist you in your determination. The reasonableness of this request induces us to grant it, but you will be aware that if an answer is not returned at or before that time, no farther delay can be made, and you alone must be answerable for the consequences; and you will please also to observe, from the very liberal terms offered, no deviation whatever can be admitted.

"We have the honour to be, &c.

"JOHN WHYTE, Major-General. "THOMAS PARR, Captain R. N.”

"To his Excellency the Governor of Demerary."

"GENTLEMEN,

"Fort William Frederic, Demerary, 22d April, 1796.

"We, the governor, members of the council, and commanders of the naval forces of the colony, in council of war assembled, having attentively perused the summons dated yesterday, and

addressed to us by your Excellencies, demanding the surrender of the said colony to His Britannic Majesty's forces, also the terms. thereunto annexed, have, after mature deliberation, resolved to accept said terms, and on them to surrender the said colony and dependencies, as demanded, whereof we hereby give you notice; also that our colours will be struck on the landing of your forces. It will depend on the several officers and the troops to decide for themselves as to the offers made them, and we have the honour to subscribe ourselves, &c.

Anthony Beaujon, Governor. J. Van Well. Major
C. Fitzjcher, Commander. P. P. Luyken. Thomas
Cuming. A. Meertens.

By order of the Council,

M. S. TUINE, Sec. ad. int.

By evening the English were in possession of Fort William Frederic, the only defence of the colony, without firing a shot. The Thetis, a Dutch frigate of twenty-four guns, and a cutter of twelve, were taken as prizes.

Upon the 28th, the troops were embarked in the small craft, and proceeded to Berbice, which capitulated upon the same terms as Demerara.'

At Grenada, Major Wright was obliged to fall back from Pilot's Hill to the post of Sauteur, with the loss of ten men killed and fourteen wounded.

At St. Lucia, the English troops, under General Abercrombie, attacked Morne Fortuné; they were repulsed, and retired to their former position. Upon the 24th of May, they had lodged themselves within 500 yards of the fort, which they battered with such success, that on the evening of that day the French desired suspension of arms until the next day at noon. In the interim a capitulation was agreed upon; and on the 26th of May the garrison, 2000 strong, laid down their arms, and surrendered prisoners of war. All the cannon and military stores, and several small vessels,

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1 Commodore T. Parr's Squadron at the capture of the colonies of Demerary, Essequibo, and Berbice, consisted of-

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