Maitland were established. The British at the same time obtained possession of the finest part of the colony, abounding with resources of every description. Captain Maxwell’s exertions upon this occasion were highly meritorious, and much of the success attending the enterprise may justly be attributed to his animating example.
On the same day, April 30, Sir Charles Green received information that Brigadier-General Maitland had effected a landing at the Warappa creek, under the able superintendence of Captain Conway Shipley, commanding the Hippomenes, assisted by Captain Kenneth Mackenzie of the Guachapin, who had with great zeal quitted his sloop fifty leagues to leeward, finding from baffling winds and currents she could not get up, and proceeded with 50 of her crew in boats to aid that part of the army.
Under these circumstances no time was lost in disembarking the remainder of the troops, about 1000 in number, at fort Leyden, and pushing them on by the north bank of the Commewyne, to meet the others on their passage down that river. The artillery, stores, and provisions, were at the same time conveyed by boats; and an armed flotilla established in the Commewyne by the indefatigable exertions of the navy[1].
On the 3d May Brigadier-General Maitland, having taken possession of the enemy’s post at Warappa creek, after a short resistance, and with great diligence procured a number of boats to convey his corps, appeared coming down the river in very good order, and landed at a plantation on the south side, where he was soon joined by part of the forces, from the opposite bank.
This desirable object being effected, and the enemy’s communication cut off by the activity of the ships’ boats, the army being on the advance, and every preparation made by the squadron for attacking fort New Amsterdam, the Batavian Commandant thought proper to send out a flag of truce, with proposals to surrender on terms of capitulation. The negociations for that purpose were conducted on the part of the British by Captain Maxwell and Lieutenant-Colonel
- ↑ The flotilla was commanded by Captain Charles Richardson, of the Alligator troop-ship, whose conduct and exertions throughout the campaign are very highly spoken of in the public despatches.
