the following letter on the subject. It is not the production of an obscure character, but of one who possesses both the opportunity and the practical ability of obtaining the best information. The commencing observation in the letter, is in consequence of some remarks I had made respecting the way in which I was to discharge my pecuniary obligations to him.

DEAR SIR,

Port of Spain, 12th of August, 1818.

I have never made any doubt of your inclination to repay the advances I have made in your behalf; but I know, that with your adopted projects, you never can pay one farthing. With less genius and more common sense, you might do very well here. I do not mean to offend you; but you are following the councils of despair in going to Angostura; when, by a little---allow me to repeat---a little common sense here, you could do well. Mr. Gumbes is willing to enter into a partnership with which would,

E

you,

at least, at first support you. Think twice. Remain where you are in preference to putting your whole trust on such desperate remedies as you propose to use.

CHAP. IV.

PASSAGE UP THE ORINOCO TO ANGOSTURA.

Sails from Trinidad and encounters a hurricane; -Enters the Orinoco by a mouth which is little frequented;-Tedious passage and warping of the vessel;-Surrounded by Guaraunos Indians ;-Description of these people ;-Conduct of the Master of the vessel with regard to provisions; -Attacked by various kinds of insects ;-Fracas with an old Spaniard ;-Put on short allowance, and bad conduct of the Captain ;-Attacked by musquitoes ;-Further display of the Captain's villainy ;-A monkey killed and eaten ;-Tarantulas, centipedes, and scorpions ;-Privations on the passage, and consequent distress ;-Entrance of the Grand River;-State of exhaustion from want of food;-Arrives at Barancas on the Orinoco;-Compels the Captain to take in some provisions ;-Leaves Barancas and arrives at Old Guyana ;-Some account of Guyana; -Leaves Guyana and arrives at Angostura.

I was barely allowed time to put any articles I had on board, when we sailed with a fair wind. Owing to the amazing rapidity of the current, in the Gulf of Paria, we were frequently obliged to come to anchor, to prevent our being drifted entirely out of the Gulf.

On the 15th we encountered a hurricane, accompanied by dreadful thunder, lightning, and torrents of rain. There were a number

of passengers on board; and, owing to the smallness of the cabin not more than eight or ten could get admission, while the remainder, twelve in number, got among the luggage in the hold till the violence of the weather abated. In this state, I may say literally packed together, with barrels, boxes, &c. &c. we were obliged to remain for some hours.

There, very unexpectedly we were alarmed by a sort of grunting like that of some animal which I began to believe had found its way into the vessel, but to our astonishment, in attempting to drive it out, we found that it was only a black negro woman praying most fervently for de great Massa in heaven to calm de wind. Every one seemed willing to abate the poor creature's terrors by representing the case as by no means dangerous, and that the storm would soon abate. Still, however, she continued to call out " No good for me massa-no good for you," and then she went to work, confessed her sins,

and finished her business with a sort of

prayer, in a a language which I suppose she had brought from the coast of Guinea.

Our vessel stood the weather very well; and, on the 18th at six o'clock, P. M. we entered one of the mouths of the Orinoco. This mouth was about the 5th or 6th to the south of the Macareo, and, although very narrow, was sufficiently deep for vessels drawing 10 or 12 feet. Even this narrow pass gave some idea of the grandeur of this mighty river. I drew a glass of the water, and drank "to liberty and independence".)

It was not without some concern that we learned, from the master of the vessel that he had never sailed up this mouth before; and, reflecting on the late massacre of my worthy friend Colonel Macdonald and others, by the wild Indians, and also on the Spaniards, especially as the laws of Trinidad would allow no arms on board, I thought the experiment unsafe. It is true I had a pair of pistols, which Ichad concealed in my pocket; but what reliance could we place on one pair of pistols, opposed by perhaps