Journal of John Gabriel Stedman

1744-1797

Soldier and Author

Including an authentic account of his expedition to Surinam, in 1772

Edited by Stanbury Thompson

The Mitre Press, 1962, [First Edition], black and white photographic plates, black and white frontispiece, hardcover, dust jacket

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, a little foxing to fore edges, dustjacket shows some edge and shelf wear with rubbing, bumping, chipping, creasing, small tears, staining and general wear, re-enforced with tape in places (see photographs)

“This journal gives a true picture of social, military, and diplomatic life, in the middle of the 18^th century.  John Gabriel Stedman was an officer in the Scots Brigade, a mercenary regiment in the pay of the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, and in this biography he gives the facts of the many unusual adventures he was to experience whilst in that capacity.  After 23 years of unbroken service; having made a voluntary, exciting and dangerous mission to Surinam, or Dutch Guiana, to help to subdue the revolted negroes of that colony, he relinquished his Dutch commission and returned to England.  He retired to Tiverton, in those days a small country town to enjoy a peaceful and secluded life.  He was to find out however, that his venture was not to be so successful as he had anticipated, with the trouble, strife, and tribulation he was to meet in that quarter.  However, he managed to write his memoirs, and publish his masterpiece, The History of Surinam, - and then he died, - his one ambition had been achieved.  As a matter of fact, he was cut off in the prime of his life, his dissolution arising from the results of a wasted and diseased constitution.  Complying with a singular wish he had expressed before he died, they buried him at midnight, in old Bickleigh churchyard, - by torchlight.”