1796] MAJOR LINDSAY'S EXPEDITION 225

their fellow-creatures. The terms of canaille, coquin, &c., are ever in their mouths, and applied to every person in the lower ranks of life.

At Vieux Fort I found that one Rupez Roche had been arrested on suspicion of communicating with and supporting the brigands. I have long had information of his doing so, and have wished to get hold of him. He is a man of property in the island, is reckoned clever, but is of a restless, ambitious temper. He was a principal agent of the Republic, but was permitted with many others to remain after the capture of the island. He had been put on board an armed vessel. I sent for him; he entered into an explanation and justification of his conduct. I saw he depended much upon his eloquence, which consisted in declamation and protestations of innocence. His manner was theatrical. I told him what accusations had been made against him, and that he should be tried. I sent him to the Commodore at Castries to remain as a prisoner in his ship.

I detached Major Lindsay of the 55th with seventy or eighty men to endeavour to surprise and fall upon the brigands assembled near Praslin. I regretted it was not in my power to go with them, but I expected at Castries answers to letters I had sent to the Commander-in-chief. In coming to Vieux Fort I kept to the Chemin Royal along the coast. In returning I took roads close to the mountains, that I might judge of the proper places to establish posts to cover the country. The country from Souffriere to Vieux Fort is called " a plain," in general four or five miles in breadth from the sea. It is " a plain " when compared with the mountains beyond it. The ground is, however, irregular, and runs in ridges which are separated by deep ravines. The ground is in general fertile, and the produce, which consists of sugar, cotton, coffee, and cocoa, can be conveyed with tolerable ease to the coast, which abounds in small bays fit for embarking it. The habitations extend to the foot of the mountains, which are covered with wood, from whence the negroes in arms sally to pillage and

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