No. 34. fleet of Caribs from the Corentyn with intent to visit this river and Pomeroon, having perhaps a secret understanding with the Caribs here to make a common attack upon us. (This danger, thank Providence, we have escaped; for I now learn from Berbice that they long ago passed this river on their way back from Barima, and, seizing in Berbice an Indian boat, have gone back to their homes again.) On receiving the aforesaid ill tidings I called in to the fort the above-mentioned outlier1 in Pomeroon, both to save him from being surprised, along with the Company's goods, by these savages and to strengthen ourselves in case of attack. Accordingly he came to the fort on the 8th inst. with all the goods, bringing with him a barrel of annatto dye which he had there bought up. The scare being now over, I shall send him back there within four or five weeks (the dye season not fairly beginning there before that date); and, if the trade prospers, it would not be a bad idea to build there a hut for two or three men, so that they may dwell permanently among the Indians and occupy that river. Thus these [Indians] would be stimulated to furnish a deal of annatto-for the place is too far off for them to bring it here to the fort. In that event, you ought to send me more men from the fatherland. * 2 * * * * * As regards the trade in Orinoco, it would succeed satisfactorily if only I were properly supplied with wares. I have twice now sent thither a Christian-one of my soldiers-with axes, cutlasses, knives, beads, etc., and with good result, except the last time, when almost all the wares were brought back because of their unsuitableness; moreover, the Silver Fleet from Peru had not yet arrived. The old Governor there had, on account of his evil ways, been carried to Spain a prisoner, and a new one put in his place. The latter has promised, and assured me in writing, that the fortysix dollars for axes, etc., due me from his predecessor, by whom they were taken on credit, shall certainly come to me; for before the second trip thither he had already been carried to Trinidad, so that this new Governor has virtually pledged himself for those moneys. These two voyages have brought the company more than two hundred dollars. The date set me some time ago for the third trip by the said Governor has long passed; but for lack of wares it had to be given up. This trade must as much as possible be kept secret, that strangers may not spoil it. The Spanish brandy is very acceptable there, also the fine linen and the scarlet cloth; for the other things there is no demand. Great profits may be reaped there, if the business be well managed-above all, we must stand well with the Spaniards, for else they will not buy. We must note well, too, the date 1 Note by Prof. Burr.—As is clear from the extract, the Pomeroon uitlegger was only an outlier, not yet a postholder. To avoid implying more than is warranted, it has seemed wise to translate thus always uitlegger by outlier until, from the beginning of the 18th century on, it is certain that the outlier was always a postholder. 2 Note by Prof. Burr.-Thus it seems wisest to translate the Spanish "piece-of-eight," the lineal ancestor of the American dollar. No. 34. of the arrival of the Silver Fleet. This is now at hand; but, for lack of everything, it cannot be taken advantage of. By your next ship I shall send you a detailed report with a further description of the good opening there, along with an itemized statement of my trade and an account of sales. In conclusion I again earnestly recommend you to send, as early as possible, the necessary goods, wares, merchandise, materials of war for Christians, the provisions and [things?] for the slaves, as specified in my previous letter, so that trade and our mouths may not come to a standstill: I hope they are already on the way. It would not be amiss to send 300 to 400 medium-quality axes, 100 to 200 dozen riveted knives, and several lbs. sky-blue beads more than is mentioned in the list sent you, [all] greatly needed and the best wares and most acceptable to the Spaniards-1 m[edium] axe for 1 dollar, 1 lot of beads for 3 dollars, 1 dozen riveted knives for 2 dollars, etc., and everything accordingly. Extract from letter from West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, February 24, 1680. And, as for the prospective trade on the river Orinoco, we eagerly look forward to the result, and, in case something profitable can be done there, shall provide you with everything according to the list you shall send us. However, we shall first await the account in profit and loss of the trade now going on there. No. 36. Extracts from letter from Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, to West India Company, April 16, 1680. Trading to Orinoco must, to give least umbrage, be carried on by canoe. On the 14th of November of last year, I for the third time sent there a soldier with a canoe manned by Indians [and] with a considerable stock of goods. He was well received by the new Governor and allowed to carry on the aforesaid clandestine trade and favored to this extent, although at that time the silver had already been taken to Trinidad on account of my long delay for lack of the necessary stock. However, with about two hundred dollars, consisting of shilling pieces [he] safely arrived here at the fort on No. 36. the 28th of December following, with an elaborate missive from the Governor aforesaid, full of expressions of his wish to enter into relations of cordial confidence and correspondence with me, fixing the time--to wit, in October next-for the return of the same soldier. At that time he will be back from Peru, whither he was four months ago deputed in person by the Governor of Trinidad for the execution of certain orders. But, to my sorrow, I have not been able to recover the 26 dollars which the old Governor who was carried off as a prisoner, as mentioned in my former letter, still owes; I am told to look to Trinidad, the place of his detention. Extracts from letter from Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, to West India Company, June 22, 1680. As to the trade here with Orinoco, we also trust there is a prospect of our accomplishing more in course of time, in case proper care be taken to provide us annually with proper wares, consisting of axes and cutlasses, which alone are taken there. We can even assure you that we have already seen some signs of good success, and shall in consequence not fail to be vigilant in the matter of the aforesaid trade. Extracts from letter from Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, to West India Company, June 28, 1680. [Reprinted from U. S. Commission, Report, Vol. 2, pp. 149-150.] The condition of the trade with Orinoco is as described in my accompanying1 letter of the 16th of April last, and I refer you to the list of goods and wares therein asked for, which request I hereby repeat since the time set me by the Governor for the next trip will have expired by the coming September. I hope that, he having by that time returned from Peru, 1 Note by Prof. Burr.-To guard against the required to send a copy of each by a following ship. triplicate, in as many separate bottoms. loss of a letter, the Essequibo Commandeurs were From 1708 on, they were in war time to be sent in No. 38. whither he went some months ago, I may then have good success in my trade on behalf of the Company. Herewith goes under No. 9 the account in profit and loss of what business has been done there on three different voyages. * * * * The trade in hammocks and letter-wood has this year not had the desired success, on account of the war between those [i. e., the Indians] of Cuyuni, Essequibo, and Mazaruni and the Accoways who live in the country above; and we have repeatedly, with many but fruitless arguments, tried to pursuade the highest chief to make peace with the aforesaid nation, to that end offering axes and other wares. They even threatened, if we would not let them continue the war, to depart in great numbers to Barima and elsewhere. These being the most important traders in dye, I was, to my sorrow, compelled to desist; and hereby the river Cuyuni, our provision chamber, is closed. In addition, we lately have been vexed by the death of Giles, an old negro of the Company, recently up on the Cuyuni, poisoned, as the Caribs claim, by the Accoways. On that account the aforesaid old negroes have become afraid to be among that tribe; I shall, however, bethink me of means for conciliating that tribe. * * * No. 39. Extract from letter from West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, May 22, 1681. But, as regards the trade on the Orinoco, we have resolved to continue it, and to send you for that purpose such wares as are needed therefor, and are ordered by you, except the red cloth and the Spanish brandy; and we are expecting a good return from the aforesaid slight cargo. * * * * * * * * * No. 40. Extracts from letter from Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, to West India Company [1681]. [Reprinted from U. S. Commission, Report, Vol. 2, pp. 151–152.] By reason of the Accoway war in Cuyuni, of which you know, the trade in hammocks, especially in new ones, has resulted badly, for no one dares venture among that faithless tribe. As a result, no more than six of the common kind could be sent; the others were too small and not fit for you. No. 40. As for the trade in Orinoco, it has turned out wretchedly this year, since in place of the old genial Governor has succeeded another, very illnatured and a kinsman of the one of Trinidad. Not only did he prohibit the trade, but he even caused Pieter Laman, who in January last was sent there by me to trade for the West India Company, to be put in irons, together with one of the Company's old negroes, although, according to their report, they had given not the slightest cause. But later I have heard that the new Governor has lately been relieved and the old kind man has succeeded in his place. If I find this to be true, I shall have this voyage undertaken once more with caution, and in that case do not have doubt of success, and hope that this loss may be compensated by successful trade-which may God grant. Moreover it would not be amiss to send the fishing-smack in the approaching dry season to the mouth of Orinoco, to salt manatees and turtles for the sustenance of your garrison here; the smack has been overhauled and is capable of navigating these waters for two or three years. Extract from letter from West India Company (Zeeland Chamber) to Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, September 29, 1681. We are sorry that the trade on the Orinoco has turned out so badly. When you begin it again, it should be taken in hand and carried through with caution, so that the Company may suffer no loss. Extract from letter from Abraham Beekman, Commandeur in Essequibo, to West India Company, March 2, 1682. As for the trade in Orinoco with the Spaniards, it was in January last as successful as it should be. |