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Notes on the West Indies, vol. 1 of 2 cover

Notes on the West Indies, vol. 1 of 2

Chapter 41: LETTER XXXVII.
By George Pinckard
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About This Book

The author offers a series of epistolary travel notes describing a voyage to and experiences in the Caribbean, blending shipboard episodes and port sketches with observations on climate, disease—particularly seasoning or yellow fever—and colonial society. The narrative documents encounters with Creole communities, enslaved people, and indigenous groups of South America, and includes reflections on slavery, colonial administration, military hospitals, and everyday life ashore. The second edition incorporates additional letters from Martinique, Jamaica, and Saint-Domingue and broadens commentary on public health and slavery, maintaining an episodic, immediate style that favors contemporaneous impressions over systematic analysis.

LETTER XXXVII.

At Sea, April 20.

Our destination is no longer a secret! The captain went yesterday on board the commodore, and received his instructions; when the Dutch colonies, upon the coast of Guiana, were avowed to be the object of our expedition.

In the evening we came into thick water indicating our approach to the shore; but no land could be perceived even from the top-gallant-mast-head. This morning the sea was still more muddy, of a yellowish colour, and, comparatively, very shallow. Land was unquestionably near, but, still, not visible. In the course of the day trees were seen from the masthead, and we came to anchor only a few leagues from them; but, even yet, without being able to see the soil on which they grew. It is common to descry a streak at the horizon, or a kind of line, or fixed point in the clouds, denoting the coast which a vessel approaches, long before it reaches it; but, here, we are in muddy water, near the colony, with trees in view, without being able to distinguish any other mark of the territory before us. It seems to be a peculiar shore, the water being very thick and shallow at a great distance from the land.

Orders are issued for three days’ provisions to be cooked, and for the troops to hold themselves in readiness for immediate debarkation. They have, consequently, been paraded this evening upon deck; their arms and accoutrements cleaned and inspected; and all put in a state for action. The soldiers are forewarned in general orders that all irregular conduct, towards the inhabitants, on landing, will subject them to certain punishment and disgrace; and plunder is prohibited on pain of death. The field-artillery, with carriages, sponges, ammunition, and all the necessary apparatus have been put into boats, this evening, from our ship, preparatory to being conveyed on shore with the troops in the morning, and, after a day of great hurry and labour, all is in readiness for leaving the vessel.

Instructions are given concerning the plan of attack by the troops, and the stations to be taken by the different ships; and every thing seems to imply a busy morrow; yet, notwithstanding our vessel is to be at a post of some danger, I shall hope to note to you the detail of our proceedings in a future letter. At present, I seek my birth, cordially bidding you ... good night!