Volume 1

Narrative of a five years' expedition, against the revolted negroes of Surinam, in Guiana, on the wild coast of South America, from the year 1772, to 1777. Elucidating the history of that country, and describing its productions, viz. quadrupedes, birds, fishes, reptiles, trees, shrubs, fruits, & roots; with an account of the Indians of Guiana, & Negroes of Guinea / by Captn. J.G. Stedman ; illustrated with 80 elegant engravings from drawings made by the author.

  • Stedman, John Gabriel, 1744-1797.
Date:
1796
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Narrative of a five years' expedition, against the revolted negroes of Surinam, in Guiana, on the wild coast of South America, from the year 1772, to 1777. Elucidating the history of that country, and describing its productions, viz. quadrupedes, birds, fishes, reptiles, trees, shrubs, fruits, & roots; with an account of the Indians of Guiana, & Negroes of Guinea / by Captn. J.G. Stedman ; illustrated with 80 elegant engravings from drawings made by the author. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    32/534 (page 2)
    a CHAP, or curiofity. The colony of Surinam, in Dutch Guiana, fo far as it is inhabited and cultivated by Europeans near the fea-coaft, has indeed been known for many years paft. But the deep inundations, with the impenetrable thicknefs of the woods, have been fuch conflant difcou- ragements and obftruCtions to difcovery, that but very little true information concerning that country has as yet been obtained, except what relates to fuch objects of commerce as are common to moft of the tropical fettle- ments. This publication, therefore, is chiefly intended to particularize fuch circumftances and events as the ne- ceffity of penetrating into the interior parts of the coun- try have enabled me to make, and forced on my obfer- vation. The feeling part of my readers, I muft hope, will re- ceive with fome indulgence a work proceeding from am officer, who, from his early youth, was debarred in ac- quiring perfection, either as a writer or a painter, by his military and maritime profeffion. I neverthelefs humbly flatter myfelf that whatever may be found wanting in ftyle and elegance, is in fome degree compenfated by that fidelity and correCtnefs, which can alone be the work of a pen and pencil employed on the fpot. With refpeCf to a few quaint expreffions, and even oaths, as fpoken by common foldiers, Jailors, Sec. that fometiraes unavoidably occur in the narrative of this wonderful expedition, I muft humbly requeft the world not to be flartled at them, not only becaufe the fliades of black and white 7 enliven