File: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, (14748450344).jpg

Identifier: fiveyearsexpedition02sted (find matches)
Title: 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, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles, trees, shrubs, fruits, & roots : with an account of the indians of Guiana, & negroes of Guinea
Year: 1806 (1800s)
Authors: Stedman, John Gabriel, 1744-1797 Blake, William, 1757-1827 Holloway, Thomas, 1748-1827 Bartolozzi, Francesco, 1727-1815
Subjects: Slavery Indians of South America
Publisher: London : Printed for J. Johnson, & Th. Payne
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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panied with a loud and hearty laugh. Next,. observing the soldier that stood sentinel over him biting occasionally on a piece of dry bread, he asked him how it came to pass, that he, a white man, should have no meat to eat along with it ?— Because I am not so rich, answered the soldier.— Then I will make you a present, sir, said the negro; first, pick my hand that was chopped off clean to the bones, next begin to dc- vour my body, till you are glutted ; when you will have both bread and meat, as best becomes you; which piece of humour was followed by a second laugh; and thus he continued, until I left him, which was about three hours after the dreadful execution. Wonderful it is indeed, that human nature should be able to endure so much torture,, which assuredly could only be supported by a mixture of rage, contempt, pride^ and the glory of braving his tormentors, from whom he was so soon to escape*. Though * At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed
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S//,■ /.rrrv//// ,/ /)/•<■<//■///</ fH //cl■//</•/■ . EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 309 Though I never recal to my remembrance, without chap.the most painful sensation, this horrid scene, which mustrevolt the feelings of all who have one spark of humanity,I cannot forbear exhibiting to the public the dreadfulspectacle in the annexed drawing. If the reader, how-ever, should be offended with this shocking exhibition,and my dwelling so long on this unpleasant subject, letit be some relief to his reflection, to consider this punish-ment not inflicted as a wanton and unprovoked act ofcruelty, but as the extreme, severity of the Surinam laws,on a desperate wretch, suffering as an example to othersfor complicated crimes ; while at the same time it cannotbut give me, and I hope many others, some consolationto reflect that the above barbarous mode of punishmentwas hitherto never put in practice in the British colonies. I must now relate an incident, which, as it had

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