Chapter I: Front Matter

NOTES
ON THE
WEST INDIES,
INCLUDING OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO
THE CREOLES AND SLAVES
OF THE
=Western Colonies,=
AND
_THE INDIANS OF SOUTH AMERICA_;
INTERSPERSED WITH REMARKS
UPON
THE SEASONING OR YELLOW FEVER
OF HOT CLIMATES.

SECOND EDITION,

_With additional Letters from Martinique, Jamaica, and St. Domingo_.

BY GEORGE PINCKARD, M. D.

Of the Royal College of Physicians,
Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals to His Majesty’s Forces,
Physician to the Bloomsbury Dispensary,
The London Female Penitentiary, &c.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

It is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seene but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land trauaile, wherin so much is to bee obserued, for the most part they omit it, as if chance were fitter to bee registered than obseruation.

LORD VERULAM.

_LONDON_:
PUBLISHED BY MESSRS. BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY,
PATERNOSTER ROW;
AND L. B. SEELEY, FLEET STREET.
1816.

S. GOSNELL, Printer, Little Queen Street, London.

CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.

LETTER I.
_Favorable tidings from Grenada and St. Vincent. An enormous
snake. Conversation respecting mermaids_ Page 1

LETTER II.
_Excursion to Mynheer Roboloski’s plantation Zuidwyk. Character
of Mynheer Roboloski. Funeral obsequies of an officer.
Depressing effect of such mournful exhibitions_ 5

LETTER III.
_Discordant opinions and mode of treatment relative to “yellow
fever.” Undeviating routine followed by the resident
practitioners. General remarks respecting a medical life:—its
peculiar advantages_ 13

LETTER IV.
_Dutch method of punishing soldiers for drunkenness. An
electrical eel. Visit of a wild-looking party of Indians. The
lion-monkey, or schacomynghy. Singular instance of creole
pride. Birth-day visit at Mr. Blair’s. Author’s uncertain
situation_ 22

LETTER V.
_Author’s return to Demarara. Alarming sickness of the troops.
Its probable causes_ 34

LETTER VI.
_Authors removal to Mahaica. Afflicting sickness at that
station:—severe professional duties. Situation of Mahaica.
Scarcity of fresh provisions_ 37

LETTER VII.
_Horrid cruelty towards a negro and his wife. Funeral of a
murdered slave. Dismay of the murderer. Cruel unconcern of the
attorney. Sad consequences of such inhuman treatment_ 45

LETTER VIII.
_Sickness of the troops and medical officers at Mahaica. The
author officiates as priest. Decease of Captain Heritage.
Consultations with the colonial medical practitioners. The
trade-wind termed the Doctor. Remarks of “Doctor Bob.”
Contemplations of the author on his critical situation.
Prophylactic experiment_ 55

LETTER IX.
_Brilliant appearance of a forest on fire. Visit to Mynheer
Bercheych. Description of his person; manners; habits, &c._ 63

LETTER X.
_Continued suspense of the author. Fever still rages:—persons
chiefly affected. Case of Chapman, a grenadier. A gratifying
assemblage of convalescents. Audacity of the people of colour
at Mahaica_ 79

LETTER XI.
_Return of the author to La Bourgade. Altered type of the
fever:—its interchanges. Peculiar fatality among the surgical
cases. Loss of a medical assistant. Demarara Gazette_ 88

LETTER XII.
_The author attacked with yellow fever. Detail of the symptoms
of his case, and the means employed for his recovery_ 96

LETTER XIII.
_Kind solicitude of the colonists towards the author. Apparent
influence of the tides on fever. Illness and recovery of Mr.
Blackader. Gratifying diminution of disease at Mahaica.
Striking examples of the character of slaves_ 108

LETTER XIV.
_Interesting situation of the troops. Reinforcement of medical
officers from Martinique. Mr. Jordan attacked with fever.
Pleasing anticipations of a return to England. Ravages of
yellow fever in the islands. Death of Colonel Gammell and of
four of the physicians of the windward expedition. Happy
effects of the dry season. Range of the thermometer at La
Bourgade. Gang of negroes commanded by a female driver.
Ludicrous mistake of an English lady_ 115

LETTER XV.
_Author receives communications from England. Afflicting reports
from St. Domingo. Apparent instances of the influence of the
tides on fever. Remarks on abuses in army economy. Depraved
advice concerning conscience_ 124

LETTER XVI.
_Ludicrous scene of drilling a corps of negroes. Slavery
contrasted with military discipline. Altered appearance of the
yellow fever. Fatality of wounds and ulcers among Europeans.
Extraordinary recovery of a negro. West India custom regarding
women of colour. The wet season_ 127

LETTER XVII.
_Christmas festivities. Orange season. Christmas temperature.
Cruel treatment of a mulatto by a Dutchman. A striking case of
intermittent fever. Slight effect of grief and dangers upon
military men_ 140

LETTER XVIII.
_Renewed visit to M. Bercheych. The ant-eater. Peculiar nests of
birds and ants. Visit of M. Bercheych at Fort St. Andrew:—of a
party of Indians_ 146

LETTER XIX.
_Decease and funeral of Mr. Newland. Dutch prejudice in favour
of usage. Effect of fresh provisions upon the sick_ 154

LETTER XX.
_Mr. Beete’s case of fever:—its coincidence with the
spring-tides. Festivities on the Queen’s birth-day. Excessive
dancing of the ladies. A Dutch lady’s supper. Foreign custom
of carrying away provisions. Happy reduction of the sick list_ 158

LETTER XXI.
_Essequibo attacked by the Spaniards. Opinion of slaves
respecting freedom:—respecting crimes and punishments.
Repeated attack of yellow fever upon the same person. Creole
officers less efficient than European_ 165

LETTER XXII.
_Gratitude of a slave. Extravagant hire of mechanics. Pleasant
approach of the dry season. Absence of morning lassitude.
Effect of climate on Europeans_ 173

LETTER XXIII.
_Excursion of a party of planters up the river Demarara.
Kamonuy—Woratilla—and Mabeira creeks. Peculiar stillness of
the forest. Arrival of the party at Mr. Edmonstone’s solitary
abode_ 178

LETTER XXIV.
_A wood-walk from Mr. Edmonstone’s. Hasty removal of an Indian
family. Eccentric character of an aged Scotsman. Journey
through the forest to the Sand-hill. Scenery—temperature—and
inhospitality at the “Sand-hill” estate_ 187

LETTER XXV.
_The “Loo” estate, contrasted with the “Sand-hill.” A
petit-maître in the forest. A wood-cutter’s cottage. A novel
specimen of the labour of slaves. Improved scenery. Character
and habits of Pezano, an old Spaniard. Arrival and reception
of the party at “Ooest Vriesland”_ 196

LETTER XXVI.
_Journey from “Ooest Vriesland” to “the falls:”—the latter
described. Memorandum of the excursion. Surprise of the
slaves. Return of the party. Temperature at Ooest Vriesland.
Laba pepper-pot. Severe, but cheerful labour of the slaves.
Excessive cold at the “Loo.” The Cockswain’s address in urging
on the slaves_ 208

LETTER XXVII.
_“Garden-Eden” plantation. Account of an extraordinary mulatto.
Arrival of the party at Stabroek. General remarks concerning
the excursion_ 218

LETTER XXVIII.
_The author loses his horse:—is ordered to St. Domingo. Unhappy
tidings from thence. Reflections upon the subject_ 232

LETTER XXIX.
_The Stadtholder’s birth-day. Conduct of a soi-disant patriot.
Tedious voyage of the “Cotton-planter.” Account of a white
negro:—of a piebald negress_ 235

LETTER XXX.
_Anecdotes of “Princess Changuion.” March, a healthy period.
Arrival of hospital stores. Observations on the new
regulations for surgeons:—on the confused titles of medical
officers_ 245

LETTER XXXI.
_Reflections on the anniversary of the author’s arrival in
Guiana. Remarks upon the rainy season. Dr. E’s observations
concerning fever. “Lusignan” plantation:—its prolific garden_ 252

LETTER XXXII.
_General observations concerning Demarara_ 258

LETTER XXXIII.
_Indian specimens shipped for London. Importance of Government
rations. Novel scene of slavery. Unhappy report of the
surgical invalids. Indications of the return of the wet
season_ 282

LETTER XXXIV.
_Author’s farewell from Guiana:—he anticipates many
gratifications at St. Domingo:—promises to continue his
“Notes”_ 287

LETTER XXXV.
_Authors voyage to Martinique. View of St. Vincent and St.
Lucie. Coasting view of Martinique. Beautiful approach to St.
Pierre. Description of the town—its population—its
accommodations_ 289

LETTER XXXVI.
_Demarara hospital reports approved at head-quarters. Fort Royal
and its harbour. Mode of travelling between St. Pierre and
Fort Royal. Military hospital, “La Charité.” Remarks on fever.
Mortality among the medical officers_ 300

LETTER XXXVII.
_Martinique returns, not a just criterion, respecting disease.
Account of Martinique—its scenery—temperature—female
population. French vivacity not confined to Europe.
Guadaloupe, the Circassia of the West Indies. Visit to
Chasse-pilote. Funeral of a child of colour:—of a white
Catholic. Sale of Negroes. Conduct of a party of captured
slaves. Martinique theatre_ 307

LETTER XXXVIII.
_Supposed indications of peace. Visit to Mr. Dornford’s country
residence. Père Edouard—his treatment of fever—his remarks on
English practitioners. Birth-day ball. Contrast between French
and English females. A supper scene. Martinique contrasted
with the colonies of Guiana. French treatment and punishment
of slaves. Importance of the distinction of colour with regard
to slavery. Cruel punishment of a negro, by a Dutchman_ 318

LETTER XXXIX.
_Wet season at Martinique. Musquitoes. Ceremony of La Fête de
Dieu_ 336

LETTER XL.
_French frivolity. Decease of Mr. Dornford_ 346

LETTER XLI.
_Author detained at Martinique. Character of slaves. Example of
tyranny in a woman of colour. Mode of feeding mules. Frogs
exposed for sale. Noyeau. Remuneration of medical
practitioners_ 353

LETTER XLII.
_Author embarks for Jamaica. Anticipation the only comfort at
sea. The packet chased by a privateer. Ludicrous conduct of
the passengers. View of Jamaica. Arrival at Port-Royal:—its
extreme heat. Kingston. Appearance of the people of colour.
Example of negro-labour_ 363

LETTER XLIII.
_Visit to Spanish town. The road—scenery—traffic. Friendly
attention of Dr. Lind. Spanish town and environs. Prevalence
of Spanish costume. Villas and “pens.” English aspect of
Kingston Common. Temperature of Kingston—Fruits plentiful and
delicious. Turtle:—use of their shells. Tavern
accommodations:—lodgings. Contending opinions concerning
fever_ 373

LETTER XLIV.
_Author embarks for St. Domingo. Interesting visit at
Port-Royal. A midnight visit at sea. A distressing calm. The
extreme of tropical temperature. The sloop chased by a
privateer. View of Cuba:—of Cape St. Nicholas. Adventurous
boat excursion to the Mole_ 384

LETTER XLV.
_Grief and disappointments of the author on arriving at St.
Domingo. He prepares to proceed to Port au Prince. The Mole
and its environs. Quarters and mess of the hospital staff.
Occasional scarcity of fresh provisions. A sandy valley
converted into a prolific garden_ 394

LETTER XLVI.
_Voyage to Port au Prince. Inspection of convalescents. Peter
Porcupine’s works. Unblushing confidence of French females.
Remarks on the women of colour of Cape François and Port au
Prince. Daring attacks of the brigands. Hostile out-posts
viewed from the sea. Author’s observations on his
arrival:—waits upon the Commander in chief_ 401

LETTER XLVII.
_A morning scene at Port au Prince. Dr. Jackson:—his friendly
attention to the author:—his dwelling:—his mode of life:—his
opinion concerning fever. New arrangements of the hospital
department:—objections against it. Sequels of the fever, and
heat of climate. Opinions of the medical officers at Port au
Prince, concerning the yellow fever. Comparative effect of the
fever upon a party of artillery-men—and the crew of the ship
Bangalore_ 411

LETTER XLVIII.
_Temperature in different colonies. Example of the effect of
heat upon the author. Influenza at St. Domingo. Remarks upon
the site chosen for towns. Supply of water at Port au Prince.
Use of horses and mules for labour. Scarcity of carriages,
“pens,” villas, &c. French passion for gaming, dress, and
dancing. Vauxhall, at Port au Prince_ 419

LETTER XLIX.
_Situation and construction of Port au Prince:—government-house.
Bathing in the French colonies. Superiority of the capital and
of the females of colour at Martinique. Rude custom of the
French at the table d’hôte. Provisions at Port au
Prince—dinner—breakfast. The avaga pear_ 428

LETTER L.
_Military expedition from Port au Prince. The Croix des
Bouquets. The plain of the Cul de Sac. Example of the effect
of the French levelling decree_ 434

LETTER LI.
_Voyage to the Mole. Embarkation occurrences. Shameful system of
plunder. The French women of colour. Singular liberality of
John Bull. Audacity of the brigands:—expedition of the Lively
sloop against them_ 439

LETTER LII.
_Cases of yellow fever at sea. Action of the Pelican brig with a
French privateer. Liberal accommodations of the naval
hospital. Use of turtles for the sick. Sterile appearance of
the Mole. Author’s intended visit to the United States_ 447

LETTER LIII.
_A summary account of the slaves, and state of slavery in the
West India colonies_ 454

LETTER LIV.
_General observations on the seasoning, or yellow fever of hot
climates_ 467

LETTER LV.
_A brief account of the former and present state of St. Domingo_ 492

APPENDIX.
_A proposal for the emancipation of the slaves in the British
settlements in the West Indies_ 525

NOTES

_&c._