The Capture of Demerara and Essequibo was a French military expedition sent in January 1782 as part of the American Revolutionary War. In 1781, Admiral Lord Rodney sent two sloops from his fleet, then at Sint Eustatius, to take possession of the Dutch colonies of Essequibo and Demerara. In 1782 the French took possession of these settlements, compelling British Governor Robert Kinston to surrender. The peace of Paris, which occurred in 1783 restored these territories to the Dutch.