1791-07-29 (static/transcriptions/1791/07/256.jpg)

(361.

The man of our party, who stood nearest to Donevan and the native, was Ashford. I saw Gordon coming down to the place. I was next to Ashford. I did not see Hastings, when the blow was given. After Donevan struck the man, I saw Russel coming up & strike two blow on the same black man with a bamboo much like that held by Donevan. He struck on the side of the man’s head, & cut him: the man was knocked down but raised himself up, and said something (which I did not understand) on which Russel struck him a second time on the head, & knocked him down. The black man rose no more: I saw no one interpose: I went soon away, because some villagers came down with sticks, and I was afraid of being beaten. I was as far from the black man, as I now am from the wooden rails of the esplanade. It was then, I believe, between one and two. I did not stay half a minute: I had not stood with Hastings and