The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Providence, December 17. 1763.

A Gentleman who arrived here a few Days ago in 35 Days from Surinam, brings us very unfavourable Accounts of the Situation of Affairs in the Dutch Colony of Berbice. The Ravages and horrid Cruelties of the Negroes, added to the extreme Sickness of the Season, having reduced the White People there to the last Extremity, and nothing but the Speedy Arrival of Succour can preserve the Settlement from entire Ruin.--The Mortality among the Whites was so great that out of 180 Men who were sent there from St. Eustatius, in an armed Vessel, 100 of them died in a short Time.--The Indian Natives of that Country have been very serviceable to the Dutch, and still continue in their Interest :-and about a Week before this Gentleman left Surinam, the Captain of an armed Vessel arrived there with an Account, that the Negroes having sent Word to the White People that they intended to pay them a Visit on a certain Day, a Number of Indians made an Attack on the Negroes by Surprize, the Day before their intended Visit, in which they killed 200 of them, with inconsiderable Loss on their Side.--That notwithstanding their Check, the Negroes still maintained their Ground, and possess the best Part of the Settlement, managing the Plantations with surprizing Industry, for their own Support. Soon after this News arrived, a Dutch Man of War, of 24 Guns, with a Number of Troops on board, from Holland, sailed for that Place, and that three other Men of War with more Troops were hourly expected for the same destination. No late Advices had been received from any of the other Settlements.