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CHAP. VI.
NARRATIVE
OF
AN
I must take notice that from our first landing ill Surinam till this time our private men were paid in fiver coin, which the captains had propofed to exchange for card money, at the rate of ten per cent, gain for them; by which the poor fellows would have benefited between two and three hundred pounds fterling per annum, to buy refreshment: but Colonel Fourgeoud infilled they should continue to receive their little pittance in coin, which in small sums was of no more value than paper; and I thought unaccountably hard, since this was hurting the whole, without profit to one single individual. One thingmore I must remark, which is, that all the officers who were now proceeding upon duty continued to pay at the mess, which coft each captain at the rate of forty pounds; but for which, in his barge, he was to receive in provisions after the rate of ten pounds (thus he loft thirty pounds; and thefe provifions were fait beef, pork, and peafe) on an equal footing with the private foldiers, a few bottles of wine excepted. But certainly some greater indulgence was due, and I must fay necessary, to officers, who were going to be stationed where abfolutely no kind of refreshment was to be had, being furrounded by the moll horrid and impenetrable woods, beyond the hearing of a cannon-shot from any port or plantation whatever. This was not the cafe with the other barges, who were stationed in the midst of peace and plenty, being within view of the most beautiful estates. We were indeed pitied by