with a brief notice of the neighbouring tribes, soil, productions, &c. and some observations on the facility of Colonizing that part of Africa, with a View to Cultivation; and the introduction of letters and religion to its inhabitants: but more particularly as the means of gradually abolishing African Slavery relative to an attempt to establish a British Settlement on the Island of Bulama, on the Western Coast of Africa, in the year 1792
with a brief notice of the neighbouring tribes, soil, productions, &c. and some observations on the facility of Colonizing that part of Africa, with a View to Cultivation; and the introduction of letters and religion to its inhabitants: but more particularly as the means of gradually abolishing African Slavery relative to an attempt to establish a British Settlement on the Island of Bulama, on the Western Coast of Africa, in the year 1792
African Memoranda. 169 ways were blocked up, and there was a four-pounder in the east 17 9 2 * and south ones. Wednes. Dec. 5. The Bijugas, as before mentioned, occupied a hut, about 30 yards from the block-house; and I made their king Bcllchore, having first pointed out to him the powder and the matches, sleep in my cot. A few minutes afterwards, Nash, who had been accustomed to sleep on board the cutter, (where I had only one man, and who was now on board, with orders to fire directly into the hut if he heard two musquets discharged in the night,) came to me, and requested to go on board the cutter to sleep as usual—this I refused. He threatened to swim on board ; and I promised to shoot him if he made the attempt. He had never yet known me break my promise, and therefore went to the post where I had ordered him. I laid down, wrapped up in a cloak in the middle of the east gateway, with a brace of pistols under my head. Five sentinels called all’s well, every five minutes, and the night passed in peace. The night was cold, and the wind was N. E. Two of the Thurs. colonists are worse, and two of the grumetas are ill. All day taken up with Bellchore, endeavouring to get him away before night, without his perceiving that it arises from fear. Having made him and his people very handsome presents, I succeeded about an hour before dark, when he left us. Saluted him as he went out of the harbour. I attribute our safety to the powder; he certainly meant to attack us. At day-light went to work again. Employed in logging the Friday, tambours, and boarding the upper part of the block-house. 7th ’ At noon, assembled our four men and the grumetas; then severely upbraided Nash for his base and cowardly conduct, during Bellchore’s visit, and praised Peter Hayles for being the Z