Recapture of Demerara and Essequibo
Encyclopedia
The Capture of Demerara and Essequibo was a French
military expedition sent in January 1782 as part of the American Revolutionary War
. In 1781, the Dutch colonies of Essequibo
and Demerara
were captured by a British
squadron of Admiral Lord Rodney's
fleet; the French took possession of these settlements, compelling British Governor Robert Kinston to surrender.The peace of Paris, which occurred in 1783 restored these territories to the Dutch.
, bringing it formally into the American Revolutionary War
. In early 1781 a large British fleet under Admiral Lord Rodney
was sent to the West Indies, and after having made some seizures in the Caribbean Islands, a squadron was detached to take possession of the colonies of Essequebo and Demerara, which was accomplished without much difficulty. The governor Van Schuilenburg, having assembled his council and being aware of the want of Dutch protection, surrendered to the British, who upon taking possession found a rich booty; the quantity of produce which had accumulated from the want of shipping proving to be of great value.
and four lesser ships landed on Demerara
without much opposition.
France's detachments from the Regiment Armagnac, 335 men from the 1st Legion Volontaires étranger de la Marine, launched an assault against the British garrison compelling Governor Robert Kinston and his regiment to surrender. As a result, Essequebo and Berbice also surrendereed to the French on 1 and 5 February.
Five Royal Navy
auxiliaries were seized during this campaign: the 20-gun Orinoque of Commander William Tahourdin, 16-gun Barbuda of Commander Francis Pender, 18-gun Sylph of Commander Lawrence Graeme, 16-gun Stormont of Commander Christmas Paul, and 16-gun brig Rodney of Lieutenant John Douglas Brisbane.
The peace of Paris, which occurred in 1783 restored these territories to the Dutch.
When Demerara surrendered to the French, the British naval commander being at that place signed the capitulation.
Gov. Kingston's proposals for terms contained the following rather singular proposition:
To this the following answer was returned:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
military expedition sent in January 1782 as part of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. In 1781, the Dutch colonies of Essequibo
Essequibo (colony)
Essequibo was from 1616 to 1814 a Dutch colony in the region of the Essequibo river on the north coast of South America. The colony formed a part of the colonies that are known under the collective name of Dutch Guyana.- History :...
and Demerara
Demerara
Demerara was a region in South America in what is now Guyana that was colonised by the Dutch in 1611. The British invaded and captured the area in 1796...
were captured by a British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
squadron of Admiral Lord Rodney's
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782...
fleet; the French took possession of these settlements, compelling British Governor Robert Kinston to surrender.The peace of Paris, which occurred in 1783 restored these territories to the Dutch.
Background
In December 1780 Great Britain declared war on the Dutch RepublicDutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
, bringing it formally into the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. In early 1781 a large British fleet under Admiral Lord Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782...
was sent to the West Indies, and after having made some seizures in the Caribbean Islands, a squadron was detached to take possession of the colonies of Essequebo and Demerara, which was accomplished without much difficulty. The governor Van Schuilenburg, having assembled his council and being aware of the want of Dutch protection, surrendered to the British, who upon taking possession found a rich booty; the quantity of produce which had accumulated from the want of shipping proving to be of great value.
French capture
French naval Captain Armand Guy Simon de Coëtnempren, Comte de Kersaint, with his 32-gun flagship IphigénieFrench frigate Iphigénie (1777)
Iphigénie was a 32-gun Iphigénie-class frigate of the French Navy, and the lead ship of her class.In April 1778, she captured the 18-gun sloop off Saint Lucia. She captured during the same year...
and four lesser ships landed on Demerara
Essequibo Islands-West Demerara
Essequibo Islands-West Demerara is a region of Guyana, split in two by the Essequibo River. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the region of Demerara-Mahaica to the east, the region of Upper Demerara-Berbice to the south and the regions ofIt contains the towns of Parika, Schoon Ord...
without much opposition.
France's detachments from the Regiment Armagnac, 335 men from the 1st Legion Volontaires étranger de la Marine, launched an assault against the British garrison compelling Governor Robert Kinston and his regiment to surrender. As a result, Essequebo and Berbice also surrendereed to the French on 1 and 5 February.
Five Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
auxiliaries were seized during this campaign: the 20-gun Orinoque of Commander William Tahourdin, 16-gun Barbuda of Commander Francis Pender, 18-gun Sylph of Commander Lawrence Graeme, 16-gun Stormont of Commander Christmas Paul, and 16-gun brig Rodney of Lieutenant John Douglas Brisbane.
Aftermath
The Count de Kersaint became governor of the three rivers and their settlements and inhabitants. To guarantee their conquest, the French began to erect forts at the mouth of the Demerara River, one on its eastern, the other on its western bank, and for that purpose compelled the planters to furnish slave labour; they like wise doubled the capitation-tax, all which innovation was severely felt by the colonists, who saw no end to their troubles.The peace of Paris, which occurred in 1783 restored these territories to the Dutch.
When Demerara surrendered to the French, the British naval commander being at that place signed the capitulation.
Gov. Kingston's proposals for terms contained the following rather singular proposition:
To this the following answer was returned: