Folio Archives 328: Expedition to Surinam by Captain John Gabriel Stedman 1963
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Expedition to Surinam, Being the narrative of a five years expedition against the revolted negroes of Surinam in Guinea on the wild coast of South America from the year 1772 to 1777 elucidating that country and describing its productions with an account of Indians of Guiana and Negroes of Guinea by Captain John Stedman. 1963
In 1772, Scotsman John Stedman joined a Dutch military expedition to Surinam to suppress a revolt by escaped negro slaves. He spent the next five years there in atrocious conditions, and only 20% of those who went out with him returned home alive.
The cruelty to slaves, natives and even fellow soldiers by their commanders was appalling, as were the tropical conditions with disease, vermin, the climate and wildlife attacking them all. That Stedman had the opportunity to return home early but refused is amazing.
While in Surinam, he purchased a young woman slave, freed her and she became his mistress. He looked after her, and his son by her, as well as he could. This first-hand account of social interactions 250 years ago between the various classes of Europeans, their servants, slaves and the natives in this remote colony is fascinating. It is a quite compelling book to read as you wonder how anyone survived.
The viii + 239 page book is illustrated with 14 contemporary monochrome engravings taken from the first edition, many being made by the author. It was edited and abridged by Christopher Bryant, who also wrote the introduction. The endpapers are a detailed map of Surinam in 1772 printed white on dark green. The top page edge is stained green and the book is bound in pale yellow canvas with a wrap-around picture printed in green. The brown pattern printed slipcase has black ends and measures 25.6x16.1cm.
. . . . . 
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
In 1772, Scotsman John Stedman joined a Dutch military expedition to Surinam to suppress a revolt by escaped negro slaves. He spent the next five years there in atrocious conditions, and only 20% of those who went out with him returned home alive.
The cruelty to slaves, natives and even fellow soldiers by their commanders was appalling, as were the tropical conditions with disease, vermin, the climate and wildlife attacking them all. That Stedman had the opportunity to return home early but refused is amazing.
While in Surinam, he purchased a young woman slave, freed her and she became his mistress. He looked after her, and his son by her, as well as he could. This first-hand account of social interactions 250 years ago between the various classes of Europeans, their servants, slaves and the natives in this remote colony is fascinating. It is a quite compelling book to read as you wonder how anyone survived.
The viii + 239 page book is illustrated with 14 contemporary monochrome engravings taken from the first edition, many being made by the author. It was edited and abridged by Christopher Bryant, who also wrote the introduction. The endpapers are a detailed map of Surinam in 1772 printed white on dark green. The top page edge is stained green and the book is bound in pale yellow canvas with a wrap-around picture printed in green. The brown pattern printed slipcase has black ends and measures 25.6x16.1cm.
. . . . . 
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
