was at that time full of woods, impenetrable both to the sun and air, and was consequently infested by hurtful vapours and exhalations; but notwithstanding all this the inhabitants of Zealand determined to establish themselves here, under the protection of the States, and, seeing that the country was capable of producing great quantities of sugar, they cut down the trees in numbers sufficient to lay open the land and to make the territory more healthy. The States of Zealand, to whom the country belonged, sold it to the Dutch W. India Company; but this company not having in its power to remit the necessary succours and provisions, was under the necessity of selling a third part of the possessions to the magistracy of Amsterdam, another part to Mr. Van Aarsans, and another to Mr. Someldyck. Thus it gained the name of the Society of Surinam, as being under three proprietors, although the sovereignty was vested in the States General. As soon as this division was made, various families established themselves here, and formed many sugar-cane plantations, which produced immense profit; and, the air being now rendered salutary, great numbers of people were attracted hither; so that in 1682 the colony was said to possess no less than 600 families.

This encreasing prosperity secured it the protection and favour of the States, and induced them, in 1683, to grant it a patent, which consists of 32 articles, not merely in favour of the W. India Company, but for the security of all such as should choose to settle in it. Amongst other advantages enjoyed by the company, was that of the right of imposing a duty of three Dutch guilders upon every 100 tons of goods that were brought from, or carried to, the port of Surinam; as also the right of demanding 50 lbs. sugar yearly of each of the inhabitants of the colony, as well whites as Negroes; and 24 per cent. on the value of the merchandises which were sent to Holland or sold here. Moreover it had the exclusive right of trading in Negroes, although it was under the obligation of selling them in an open market, and in pairs, to all persons whoever would buy. All the natives of the United Provinces have the liberty of establishing themselves here or of trading to this place, upon paying the aforesaid centage on their cargoes, and under the restriction from touching at the African coast, or any other part to the infringement of the company's exclusive charter. They may also trade directly with the ports of the United States. The company was under the obligation of providing the establishments with ammunition

and artillery; also of paying the troops, taking care of whatsoever related to the security of the colony, and of sending ministers, who were paid by the colony.

The great number of Dutch and French who have come to establish themselves here, have caused it to be in a very flourishing state, insomuch as that it now extends upwards of 30 leagues above the mouth of the river Surinam. It is probable, however, that it will extend no farther, as the river is here rendered impassable through a number of cascades: add to this, that there is here a sort of natural bulwark formed of vast rocks, serving at once as a frontier to the colony and a defence against the savage Indians who dwell amongst the mountains.

The plantations, we are assured, exceed in number 500, and yield immense profit. All these are situate on the shores of the rivers Comewine and Cotica, this last being an arm of the Surinam, and both abounding in excellent fish, and having in the wood on their borders an immense variety of birds.

The climate from the end of November to the beginning of July is very mild; as well because that the clouds impede the rays of the sun, as that the n. e. wind almost continually prevails, and not without great abundance of rain. The principal commerce of this colony consists in the productions of the country; which are sugar, tobacco, and dyeing wood. The Dutch also have here planted coffee, of which such quantities are produced as to admit of much being exported to Holland, where it is as much esteemed as the coffee of the east.

The land is cultivated by Negro slaves, who are provided to the planters by the company. No beasts of burden ever lead a life so wretched as do these poor creatures: they are doomed to incessant drudgery, suffering the most rigorous treatment for the least breach of the orders of their imperious masters. These allow them only five or six hours on a Sunday to cultivate their own gardens, the only means they have whereby to maintain themselves, excepting indeed a little salt meat, which is sometimes left for them on a table, without any thing else whatever. This barbarous treatment oftentimes drives them to desperation, when they endeavour to gain their liberty at every risk. But when they are in danger of being caught, they either put themselves to death, or, when taken, will bear the most excruciating torments with the greatest firmness.

For the government of this colony there is at

Amsterdam a college composed of 10 directors; of the which five are elected from the magistrates of the city, four from the W. India Company, and another is the Lord of Someldyck. Although this tribunal is opposed to the company, it gives to the regency of Surinam all its influence for the preservation of the colony, and the aforesaid directors nominate the governor; although he must be approved of by the States General, and be bound by oath as well to these as to the directors. This governor, who has under him a commandant, exercises, in the name of the States General and of the company, a supreme authority in the colony, as well in civil as in military concerns; but is obliged, in cases of great weight, to convene the political council, of which, as well as of the tribunal of justice, he is president, although in either he has not more than one vote, and the question being decided by the plurality. This political council has, besides the president, the commandant, who is first counsellor, and nine other counsellors, independently of the fiscal and secretary. The tribunal of justice consists of the governor, five counsellors, a secretary, and a judge. The governor has the filling of all the places and employments as well civil as military, but not without having first received the order from the college of directors. He, however, makes all the regulations which he considers convenient to the security of the colony against the insults and invasions of an enemy, and, with the commandant and the captains, forms the council of war; moreover, weighing all military subjects with the political council, and proposing whatsoever he thinks necessary. Besides the above, is a subaltern council of war, composed of the commandant and all the officers, captains, lieutenants, and corporals, for the taking cognizance and punishment of all the faults committed by the troops. The chamber of orphans is governed by four commissaries, with a secretary.

The troops paid for the defence of the colony consist of four companies of infantry, who have a captain, a lieutenant, a corporal, and two serjeants. The governor is colonel of the four companies, and also captain of the first; and in the staff there is a major-general, a surgeon, and a provost. The whole colony is divided into eight parts, which are, High Pamaribo, Low Pamaribo, Thorarika, High Comewine, Low Comewine, Cotica, Perica, and Para; each of which forms a company of militia, having a captain, lieutenant, and corporal. Here are only three Calvinist churches, each governed by a curate,

two ancients, and a lecturer, who is at the same time a schoolmaster: all these churches are well endowed.

The country has many peculiarities in natural history; and a collection of these articles were made by Mary Sibila Merian, a native of Frankfort, who made a voyage to Surinam with no other object in view than that of acquainting herself with the various phenomena which here present themselves: amongst the rest we must notice a species of frog, which is accustomed to live near an aquatic plant of a pale red colour, and excellent for salad; the female of which conceives and carries its young, before they are born, upon its back, where the uterus, which is very large, is situate; and from whence the young frogs are delivered at the time of parturition, one after another, by the breaking of the skin. One of these frogs were brought over to Europe in this singular state in some spirits of wine, when some of the little ones appeared with their head only out of the uterus, and others half their bodies. These animals are very good eating, and the Negroes use much diligence in searching for them. Their fore-paws are like those of a frog, and their feet like those of the duck. In the fields is found a large rat, which carries its young upon its back; the young ones flying to its mother in case of danger, and fastening themselves upon its neck by way of safety. Here is also a plant called dormilona (sleepy plant), well worthy of mention, and taking its name from the singular disposition of its leaves during the night; for, upon the setting of the sun, these fold themselves, by pairs, one over the other, so as to form but one stem, and in this state remain the whole of the night. The aforesaid observatrix took the trouble of cultivating these trees, and discovered their virtues for curing of wounds. There is in this colony a settlement of Jews; and the interior of the country towards the w. and n. w. is inhabited by Caribee Indians; of whom there are some tribes who are allied to the Dutch, and who trade with them.

The French, commanded by the admiral Ducase, endeavoured to take possession of this colony in 1688, but were foiled in the attempt. The capital is Paramaribo. [See DUTCH AMERICA.]

SURINAM, a large river of the province of Dutch Guayana, and from which the former colony and country take their name. That colony is situate on its w. shore, 15 miles from the mouth. It flows down from the mountains of Pará, and, after watering the country of the barbarian In

dians, and following a long winding course, enters the sea; it is about 224 miles from its source in a direct line to its mouth, just before it enters the sea, precipitates itself down a cascade, and forms the fall of Surinam, being navigable to this place. It has at its entrance some sandbanks, which, at high tide, are covered with three feet water; but, beyond these, the river grows deeper, and is navigable for more than 30 leagues inland; having, the whole of this distance, its shores well cultivated, and upon its w. shore the fort of Zealand to defend the entrance, which is in the Atlantic Sea, in lat. 6° 6' n. SURINAMA, a small river in the province and government of Guayana; which rises in the serrania of Imataca, runs n. and enters the Aquire.

SURIRISSA, a river of the province and government of Jaen in the kingdom of Quito, towards the s. part. It runs from s. w. to n. e. and enters by the s. part into the Zamora in lat. 4°3's. SURITE, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Abancay in Peru.

[SURRY, a county of N. Carolina, in Salisbury district; bounded e. by Stokes, and w. by Wilkes. It contains 7191 inhabitants, including 698 slaves. The Moravian settlements of Wachovia are in this county. Near the river Yadkin is a forge, which manufactures bar-iron. The Ararat or Pilot Mountain, about 16 miles n. w. of Salem, draws the attention of every curious traveller in this part of the state. It is discernible at the distance of 60 or 70 miles, overlooking the country below. It was anciently called the Pilot by the Indians, as it served them for a beacon to conduct their routes in the n. and s.

wars.

On approaching it, a grand display of Nature's workmanship, in rude dress, is exhibited. From its broad base the mountain rises in easy ascent, like a pyramid, near a mile high, to where it is not more than the area of an acre broad; when, on a sudden, a vast stupendous rock, having the appearance of a large castle, with its battlements, erects its perpendicular height to upwards of 300 feet, and terminates in a flat, which is generally as level as a floor. To ascend this precipice there is only one way, which, through cavities and fissures of the rock, is with some difficulty and danger effected. When on the summit the eye is entertained with a vast delightful prospect of the Apalachian mountains on the n. and a wide-extended level country below on the s.; while the streams of the Yadkin and Dan, on the right and left hand, are discovered at several distant places, winding

their way through the fertile low grounds towards the ocean.]

[SURRY, a county of Virginia, bounded n. by James River, which separates it from Charles City County, e. by Isle of Wight, and w. by Prince George's County. It contains 6227 inhabitants, of whom 3097 are slaves.]

[SURRY, a township of New Hampshire, in Cheshire County, containing 448 inhabitants. It lies e. of Walpole, adjoining, and was incorporated in 1769.]

SURUBIA, or SURUBIN, a settlement of the Portuguese in the part of Guayana possessed by them: situate on the shore of the river of Las Amazonas, and at the mouth bearing its name.

SURUBIA. This river rises in the country of the Coparipucus Indians, runs s. and enters that of Las Amazonas, between the strait of Pauxis and the river of Curupatuba.

SURUMI, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Chayanta or Charcas in Peru ; annexed to the curacy of the settlement of San Marcos de Miraflores. It has a sanctuary of Nuestra Señora, to which singular devotion is paid, and to which a great multitude of people throng from the neighbouring parts.

SUSA, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Ubate in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada: situate in a pleasant and delightful valley in the road which leads from Santa Fé to Chuquinquirá, between the settlements of Fuquene and Simijaca. It is of a moderately cold temperature, fertile, and abounding in all kinds of vegetable productions and seeds, both of a cold and hot climate. It contains more than 100 housekeepers, and has in its vicinity a mine of rock crystal, of so exquisite a quality as to appear like the most sparkling diamonds. It was, in the times of the Indians, a large, populous, and rich city; and was conquered and pillaged by the zipa or king of Bogota, Nemequene. Fourteen leagues n. w. of Santa Fé.

S. SUSANA, a river of the province and government of Luisiana in N. America; between the rivers of Trinidad and Fores.

S. SUSANA, a mountain situate near the coast of the Strait of Magellan; between the point of Nuestra Señora de Gracia and the Bay of San Gregorio.

[SUSQUEHANNAH River, rises in Lake Ustayantho in the State of New York, and runs a very serpentine course; it crosses the boundary line between the States of Pennsylvania and New York. It receives the Tyoga river in lat. 41°57′n. Afterwards it proceeds s. e. to Pittsburg, and then

[s. w. till, at Sunbury, in lat. 40° 53', it meets the w. branch of Susquehannah, which is navigable 90 miles from its mouth. By its course from Sunbury the river is passable with boats to Harrisburg and Middleton on the Swatara. About 15 miles above Harrisburg, it receives the Juniatta from the n. w. proceeding from the Alleghany mountains, and flowing through a broken country. Hence it takes its course about s. e. until it falls into the head of Chesapeak Bay, just below Havre de Grace. It is about a mile wide at its mouth, and navigable only 20 miles, the navigation being obstructed beyond that by the Rapids.

The inland navigation between Schuylkill and Susquehannah, will bring by water to Philadelphia the trade of a most fertile country, of about 1000 miles square, or 600,000 acres of land. If this can be accomplished, an inland navigation may be easily made to the Ohio and to Lake Erie, which would at once open a communication with above 2000 miles extent of western country, viz. with all the great lakes, together with the countries which lie on the waters of Mississippi, Missouri, and all their branches.

The water communication between Schuylkill and Susquehannah, which is the soul of all this, will be about 60 miles, as the navigation must go, although the distance on a line is only 40 miles. This tract is cut by two creeks, the Quitapahilla and the Tulpehoken. These two creeks lead within four miles of each other; the level of their head waters is nearly the same, and the space between them makes the height of land, or, as it is commonly called, the crown land between the two rivers, which is nearly on a plain, and the bottom of the canal, through which the navigation must pass, will no where rise more than 30 feet above the level of the head waters of the two creeks above mentioned, nor so much as 200 feet above the level of the waters of Susquehannah or Schuylkill.

The company, instituted the 29th of September, 1791, has a capital of 1000 shares, at 400 dollars each, payable at such time as the company shall direct. Coal of an excellent quality is found on several parts of this river, particularly at Wyoming.]

[SUSSEX, the n. w. county of New Jersey. It is mountainous and healthy, and has several iron mines; and works have been erected for the manufacture of bar and pig iron. It produces excellent crops of wheat; and in no part of the state are greater herds of cattle. The produce

VOL. IV.

is floated down the Delaware in boats and rafts. Here are five Presbyterian churches, two for Anabaptists, one for German Lutherans, and one for Quakers. It contains 12 townships; the chief of which are Newton, Greenwich, Hardyston, Knowltown, and Oxford. The population is 19,500, including 439 slaves. It is bounded n. e. by the State of New York, n. w. by Delaware River, which separates it from Northampton County in Pennsylvania, and s. e. and s. by Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Paulin's Kill is here navigable for small craft 15 miles. The Musconetcony, which divides the county from Hunterdon, is capable of beneficial improvements, as is the Pequest or Pequaset, between the above-mentioned rivers. The court-house in this county is 13 miles s. w. of Hamburg, 38 n. e. of Easton in Pennsylvania, 25 s. w. of Goshen in New York, and 77 n. by e. of Philadelphia. The village at this place is called Newton.]

[SUSSEX, a county of Virginia, bounded n. e. by Surry, and s. w. by Dinwiddie. It contains 10,554 inhabitants, including 5387 slaves.]

[SUSSEX, a maritime county of Delaware State, bounded w. and s. by the State of Maryland, n. e. by Delaware Bay, e. by the Atlantic Ocean, and n. by Kent County. It contains 20,488 inhabitants, including 4025 slaves. Cape Henlopen is the n. e. part of the county. Chief town, Georgetown.]

SUSTICATAN, a settlement of the head settlement of the district and alcaldía mayor of Xerez in the Nueva España; and annexed to the curacy of its capital, from whence it lies three leagues to s. w.

SUSUPUATO, a settlement of the head settlement of the district of Tuzantla and alcaldía mayor of Maravatio in Nueva España. It is much reduced, and contains only 11 Indian families.

SUTAS, a nation of Indians of the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, who were conquered by the Adelantado Gonzalo Ximenez de Quesada. A short time afterwards, however, they rose in a body against the oppression they experienced from their new masters, and entrenched themselves in a fastness, composed of strong rocks, and so fortified by nature, as to have only one narrow entrance, where four men might defend themselves against a multitude. In this retreat no less than 100,000 Indians had lodged themselves, with their families, provisions, and other necessaries, for many days; and, no sooner had Gonzalo

3 Q

Ximenez de Quesada received intelligence of the fact, and also that other nations, in imitation of the Sutas, were already in a state of mutiny, together with the Tausas, than he resolved upon reducing them to obedience, and chastising them, before that the rebellion might become universal throughout the kingdom; and to this end he appointed to the commission the Captain Juan de Cespedes, with two companies of infantry, trusting to the renowned valour and ability of this officer. Nor did the event discredit the election; for, in spite of the very obstinate attempts made by the Indians to secure their liberty, he hit upon a plan, which was, however, attended with infinite danger. The first in this attack were Juan Gomez Portillo and Pedro Galeano, who made shocking havoc with the naked bodies of the Indians, and gave time for their companions to join the combat; so that the poor Indians, rather than meet the cruel fate which awaited them, preferred to dash themselves headlong from the precipice; and this even in preference to surrendering themselves prisoners. The tragical issue, however, of this contest, struck a terror into the breasts of all the other Indians; and, from this moment, the kingdom regained its tranquillity.

SUTAGAOS, a barbarous nation of Indians of the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, who dwell between the rivers Pazca and Sumapaz. They are of a moderate stature; and their accent is so mellifluous, as well to denote their native timidity and pusillanimity. Their principal occupation was, in the time of their gentilism, to sally forth in parties into the highways, not with an intention of putting the passengers to death, but merely of taking from them their booty. Moreover, they imagined that their idols were much better pleased with offerings which were the effects of such robberies. To these deities, which were of clay or wood, they uniformly repaired to make their offerings, before they dared to revisit their homes, after any of their excursions, though they would bring home with them part of their spoil, reserving it as something sacred. But it should have been remarked, that these savages never offered any thing of their own to their deities, inasmuch as they imagined that nothing was acceptable to them but what was stolen. Their arms were envenomed arrows; and very much were these to be dreaded, from the virulent poison with which they were tipped, made of certain herbs found in abundance in their territory. So addicted were they to sorcery, that they tell us,

some of those who have been converted, that they had such a special connexion with the devil, that, if they wished to bring any one to his end, they had nothing more to do than to make a streak with the poison in the way the object of their hatred might pass, and that he would certainly fall a sacrifice to the spell, whilst others might pass totally uninjured.

They were in strict alliance with the Pijaos, their neighbours, in opposition to the Spaniards; and ruled over the Sumapaez, Doas, and Cundayes, more through the dread excited by their poisonous herbs than any military valour. There was a town belonging to them, of their own name, which was taken, pillaged, and destroyed, by Gonzalo Ximenez de Quesada in 1538. These Indians are now very few, and live dispersed.

SUTAMARCHAN, a settlement of the corregimiento of Sachicha and jurisdiction of the city of Leiba in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada; situate in a delightful plain, and being of a cold, though agreeable temperature. Its territory is very fertile and cheerful, and abounds in vegetable productions. There was formerly in this settlement the image of Chiquinquirá; and it was then great and populous, and was called Marchán, having, subsequently, changed its name to that of Suta, being united to this latter settlement. It is now reduced to a very small population, is annexed to the curacy of Leiba, and is one league distance from the same, and eight from Chiquinquirá, in the road leading to this place.

SUTATAUSA, a settlement of the corregimiento of Ubaté in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada. It is of a cold temperature, abounding in wheat, barley, maize, and papas; contains 200 housekeepers, and 100 Indians, and is very near the settlement of Ubaté, and 12 leagues from Santa Fé.

SUTATEUSA, a settlement of the corregimiento of Teusa and province of Tunja, in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada. It is of an hot temperature, fertile, and abounding in sugar-canes, plantains, potatoes, indigo, and garbanzos. It is very healthy, and contains 100 housekeepers, and 50 Indians.

SUTIAPA, a district and alcaldía mayor of the province and government of Nicaragua, and kingdom of Guatemala in N. America; bounded n. by the alcaldía of Zacapa, s. by that of Guazacapan, e. by the corregimiento of the capital, and w. by the sierra Apaneca, which divides it from the alcaldia of Sonsonate. It produces the same