New-York tribune., 1896-07-24
GUIANA COLLECTING PROOF.
RESULTS OF A SEARCH THROUGH THE
DUTCH ARCHIVES.
EVIDENCE SAID To HAVE BEEN FOUND THAT
THE DUTCH CLAIMED JURISDICTION AT

EVIDENCE SAID To HAVE BEEN FOUND THAT
THE DUTCH CLAIMED JURISDICTION AT
The MOUTH OF THE oRINoco.
Washington. July 23-The last issue Of THE
Demerara Chronlcle"-tha. Of July 8. which has
just reached the Bureau OF American Republics
says:
For several weeks past the important inquiry.
the nature Of which partially referred 10 In an
article with rega ii 10 the relations that existed
between our Dutch predecessors in the colony and
the aboriginal Indiana. has been progressing In the
Government buildings The archives at the rear
OF Guiana public buildings packed with mass
OF documents that mas been accommodating Tor
centuries. Many of them in the original Dutch
and French. and these are being Systematically
overhaulcd and translated for the purpose OF dis
covering whether or not they contain matter that
may prove Of value In strengthening the position
the British Government has maintained in regard
to the boundary line existing between this colony
and the adjacent republic.
The contents Of many of these documents are. OF
course relatively Of little value. but we learn from
conversation current among authorities evidently
well informed that far the search has proceed
ed up to the present time. 1t has been succcssiu IN
unearthng several important points OF evidence
that appear 10 establish beyond all doubt that the
Dutch cooniss west ot the Essequibo occupied
territory and exercised jurisdiction to the mouth OF
direction that has already been brought TO Hght
and value thereof may be judged from the fact
that in one OF the documents Is the record OF an
order by the Dutch Court OF Policy to erect Tort
and station Dutch soldiers at their boundary on
the Orinoque.
1t appears that a military officer obtained audi-
ence from the Court of Policy 10 ask for provision
being made for troops which were expected 10
arrive daily There accommodation for
them in Stabroek and he had orders to Keep them
on board the ship until proper provision was mace
for their reception The Court OF Policy decid-d
that forts should he erected at Coura bana, MA
haica and. as stated. on the Dutch boundary a'
the Oronoque." -, -,
other documents discovered show that the esti-
mate Of the cost and plan OF the fort At Courapaha
were actually prepared and II may reasonaply oo
supposed that further search VIII rurnsn sli'iiia
evidence with regard the fort at Orinoco an
old record of the law courts he's also been iounu,
we understand. showing that the French curing
their OCCUPATION Of this colony. exercised JurisuiC.
ton over the country extending 10 the NOUN " "
the Orinoco The document in question reiales, w
a case in which Indian. who had Inuraereu
white man in the Amacura district. was Drought
to justice by the French 49,, .s,o p,
While the search has revealed other e'iuehce ~ "a
the occupation Of and jurisdiction over the iaiu III
dispute by the Dutch. 1t has also directed atten-
tion ~ important documents relating to the boun-
dairy which are probably to be foui,d IN tne
archives Of Holland. The progress Oh tne iI,Iui,E
may therefore be confidently expected TO prlne 70
light further documentary proof or the eAtent oI
the Dutch nossession. as have reason 70 Delie'e
the greater part of the records is sun uii'ouOic