Governors Agreement 1799

A.D. 1800] EASTERN BOUNDARY OF BERBICE

LAWS OF BERBICE

AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN BERBICE AND SURINAM [7th February, 1800]

The Governor and Councilors of the Court of Government of the Colony of Berbice, Rivers and Districts of the same &c,&c,&c.

To all who may see or hear these Presents read, greeting!

With great pleasure we make known: That we having by a recent correspondence and meeting of their Excellencies the Governors of this Colony and of the Colony of Surinam, discussed the adjustment of the differences with respect to the correct boundary between the two Colonies, and both Their Excellencies, as was anticipated, have considered the political position of this Colony to be such as for the common interest to require that, by every possible means and chiefly by the Governor, encouragement be held out that the lands at present lying desolate and waste be duly cultivated; and although the defining of the boundary be of that nature and importance that it cannot be done but by the lord of the land himself, it is the opinion of Governor Frederici that the suggestion of any arrangement tending to the attainment of this desirable object would not be prejudicial to either the rights of the lord of the land, nor to whatsoever decision with respect to the boundary the sovereign or sovereigns for the time being, at a settlement of the future destiny of these Colonies, ultimately may deem expedient. And in this opinion Governor van Imbyze van Batenburg fully concurring.

Their Excellencies consequently have determined as follows:

q That the west sea coast of the River Corantyne, up to the Devil's Creek, besides the west bank of the said River, hitherto considered belonging to the Government of the Colony of Surinam, be declared and acknowledged henceforth to belong to the Government of the Colony of Berbice.

q That consequently all who may have settled on the lands already granted, or who hereafter may do so, shall, so far as regards their property, in every respect be considered inhabitants of the said Colony of Berbice, on the following terms:

q That none of the Islands situate in the River Corentyne shall be included in this provisional cession, but always be acknowledged to belong to the Government of the Colony of Surinam; and

q That also the Post established on the west bank of the River Corentyne shall remain in the possession and under command of the Government just mentioned.

And that no ignorance hereof may be pretended, these Presents shall, in the customary manner, be proclaimed, printed, and published in the Dutch and English languages, and be sent from place to place throughout the Colony.
Thus done and enacted at our Ordinary Assembly, held at the Court House, in the Chief Place, New Amsterdam, in Berbice, this 20th day of January, 1800.