Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande

Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande (12 October 1704 – 14 August 1775) was a Dutch governor of the colonies of Essequibo and Demerara from 1743 to 1772. He turned Demerara in a successful plantation colony, and the borders of Guyana are mainly based on his expeditions into the interior. He is also noted for his treatment of the Amerindians.

Biography Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande was born in 's-Hertogenbosch After the death of Hermanus Gelskerke, the Commander of Essequibo, Storm van 's Gravesande was appointed Commander of the colony on 13 April 1743. In 1755, Clarke requested political representation, therefore as separate administration for Demerara was established of the island of Borsselen. Another focus was on exploration projects in the interior and setting up trade posts with the Amerindian. Storm van 's Gravesande started an Amerindian policy based on respect and friendly relations, planters among the white population.

Historians have often praised his rule of the colonies; however, his reign was also marked by nepotism by appointing sons and sons-in-laws in important positions. His treatment of the Amerindians contrasted with the slaves. A telling anecdote is that on 9 August 1767, 20 slaves of his plantation Soesdyke made a failed attempt at escape. In his letters he wrote that he could not understand it, because they were well fed, and only punished for good reason.