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Two Voyages to Falconbridge perceived clearly nothing was to be
effected without a palaver, and unless the King's interest was secured his views would be frustrated,
and his endeavours ineffectual; but how this was to be done, or what expedient to adopt, he was at a loss
for. He considered it impolitic to purchase his patronage
by heavy presents, least the other great men might expect the same; and he had it not in his power to
purchase them all in the same way, as the scanty cargo of the Lapwing would not admit of it. At length, trusting that the praise-worthy purposes he
was aiming at insured him the assistance of the King of Kings, he resolved to try what good words
would do. Having prefaced his arguments with a small donation
of rum, wine, cheese, and a gold laced hat, (which Naimbana seemed
much pleased with) Falconbridge began, by explaining what advantages would accrue to his Majesty, and to all the
inhabitants round about, by such an establishment as the St. George's Bay Company were desirous of making; the
good they wished to do—their disinterestedness in point of obtaining wealth, and concluded by expostulating on the injustice and
imposition of dispossessing the late settlers of the grounds and
houses they occupied, which had been honestly and honorably purchased by Captain Thompson of the Navy,
in the name of our gracious Sovereign, his Britannic Majesty. That it was unusual for Englishmen to forego
fulfilling any engagements they made; and they held in detestation every person so disposed. He then entreated the King would use all his might
to prevent any unfavourable prejudices which a refusal to reinstate the Settlers, or to confirm the
bargain made with Captain Thompson, might operate against him in the minds of his good friends the King of The King said he liked the English in preference to
all white men, tho' he considered every white man as a rogue, and consequently saw them with a
jealous eye; yet, he believed the English were by far the honestest, and for that reason, notwithstanding he had
received more favors from the French than the English, he liked the latter much best. He was decidedly of opinion, that all contracts or
agreements between man and man however disadvantageous to either party should be binding;
but observed, he was hastily drawn in to dispose of land to Captain Thompson, which in fact he had
not a right to sell, because says he, "this is a great country, and belongs to many people—where I live
belongs to myself— and I can live where I like; nay, can appropriate any unhabited
land within my dominions to what use I please; but it is necessary for me to obtain the consent of my people, or rather
the head man of every town, before I sell any land to a white man, or allow strangers to come and live
among us." “I should have done this you will say at first—Granted—but
as I disobliged my subjects by suffering your people to take possession of the land without
their approbation, from which cause I was not able to protect them, unless I hazarded civil commotions
in my country; and as they have been turned away—it is
best now— they should be replaced by the unanimous voice of all interested. "I am bound from what I have heretofore done,
to give my utmost support; and if my people do not acquiesce, it shall not be my fault." Here Falconbrigde,
interrupting the King, said—"The King of the English will not blame your
people, but load yourself with the stigma; it is King Naimbana who is ostensible to King George—and
I hope King, you will not fall out with your good
friend." This being explained by Mr. Secretary Elliotte, his Majesty was some moments silent—when
clasping Falconbridge in his arms, told him—"I
believe you and King George are my good friends—do not fear, have a good heart, I will do as much as I can for
you.". They then shook hands heartily, and Naimbana retired, I suppose to his Pegininee
woman's house, but presently returned dressed in a suit of black
velvet, except the stockings, which were the same as before. I often had an inclination to offer my services to
close the holes: but was fearful least my needle might blunder into his Majesty's leg, and start the
blood, for drawing the blood of an African King, I am informed, whether occasioned by accident or
otherwise, is punished with death: the dread of this only prevented me. We were now invited to walk and see the town, while
dinner was preparing. It consists of about twenty houses irregularly
placed, built of the same materials, but in a superior way to those of Adam's town; — the whole of them are
either occupied by the King's wives and servants, or appropriated as warehouses. I saw several of his wives, but his Pegininee woman is a most beautiful young
girl of about fourteen. None of them are titled with the appellation of Queen,
but the oldest, who I was introduced to, and by whom the King has several children; one of the
daughter's, named Clara, is wife to Elliotte, and a
son named Bartholomew, is now in In different parts of the town I observed some rags
stuck on poles, at the foot of each were placed— perhaps a rusty cutlass, some pieces of broken
glass, and a pewter bason, containing a liquid of
some sort; these are called Gree
Grees, and considered as antidotes against the
Devil's vengeance. I was thoughtlessly offering to examine one of them,
when Mr. Elliotte requested me to desist, or I should give offence, they being held in a very sacred
point of view. We were now led to the garden, which was only
furnished with African plants, such as pines, melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, &c. &c. The King cut two beautiful pines and presented to
me: he then shewed us a large new house, at present building for him, which is after the same form, and
of the same materials with the rest of his town, but much larger. In our walk we saw many of the King's slaves employed
in preparing the palm-nut, to make oil from them: It may not be amiss here to give you some
description of the tree which produce these nuts. It is remarkable strait and of a gigantic height;
the trunk is quite naked, having neither limb or bark, for the only branches grow immediately from the top, and
incline their points somewhat towards the ground. This is a valuable tree, the nut not only produces a
quantity of oil, but is esteemed excellent food by the natives, who also extract a liquor from the tree, which
they call palm wine. This I am told is done by means of an incision in
the upper part of the trunk, in which a pipe is entered to to convey the liquor into
bottles placed beneath. I have tasted some of this wine, and do not think it
unpleasant when fresh made; it has a sweetish taste, and much the look of whey, but foments in a few
days, and grows sour—however I really think this liquor distilled would make a decent kind of spirit. Having seen all the raree
shows of Robana town, we returned to the shortly after put on a table covered with a plain
calico cloth, and consisted of boiled and broiled fowls, rice, and some greens, resembling our spinnage. But I should tell you, before dinner Naimbana again changed his dress for a scarlet robe
embroidered with gold. Naimbana, Elliotte, Falconbridge,
and myself, only set down; the Queen stood behind the King eating an onion I gave her, a bite of which she now and
then indulged her Royal Consort with: silver forks were placed on the King's plate, and mine, but no where
else. The King is rather above common height, but meagre withal; the features of his face resemble a European more than any black I have seen; his teeth
are mostly decayed, and his hair, or rather wool, bespeaks old age, which I judge to be about eighty;
he was seldom without a smile on his countenance, but I think his smiles were suspicious. He gave great attention while Falconbridge was
speaking, for though he does not speak our language, he understands a good deal of it; his answers were
slow, and on the whole tolerably reasonable. The Queen is of a middle stature, plump and jolly;
her temper seems placid and accommodating; her teeth are bad, but I dare say she has otherwise been a
good looking woman in her youthful days. I suppose her now to be about forty-five or six, at
which age women are considered old here. She sat on the King's right hand, while he and
Falconbridge were in conversation; and now and then would clap her hands, and cry out Ya
hoo, which, signifies, that's well or proper. She was dressed in the country manner, but in a
dignified stile, having several yards of striped taffety wrapped round her waist, which served as a
petticoat; another piece of the same was carelessly thrown over her shoulders in form of a scarf; her head was
decorated with two silk handkerchiefs; her ears with rich gold ear-rings, and her neck with gaudy necklaces;
but she had neither shoes nor stockings on. Clara was dressed much after the same way, but her
apparel was not quite of such good materials as the Queen's: Mr. Elliotte apologized
after dinner, that for want of sugar they could not offer tea or
coffee. The tide serving, and approaching night obliged us
to reimbark and return to this place. On the whole I was much pleased with the occurrences
of the day; indeed, methinks, I hear you saying, "Why the week mind of this giddy girl will be
quite intoxicated with the courtesy and attention paid her by such great folks;" but believe me, to
whatever height of self-consequence I may have been lifted by aerial fancies, overpouring
sleep prevailed, and clouding all my greatness— I awoke next morning without the slightest remains of fancied importance. The news of our arrival having by this time
circulated through different parts of the country,we
found several, who either excited by curiosity or some
other cause, had come here to pay their obeisance, or as the Africans term it, make service to us;
but there was none of note or quality worth naming among those visitors, except an elderly man called Pa,
or Father Boson, who is the head man of a considerable town about fifty miles up the river, and who, guided
by the impulse of a good heart, invited the wretched exiles in the hour of distress to refuge at
his place, which was excepted by the greater part, who have been fostered and pretested
ever since by the almsdeeds of this good old man;
he was habited in a white linen surplice, and a cap of the same, and
made, I assure you a reverential appearance. I am told this is the dress of a nation in the
interior country, called Mundingoes; but Pa Boson
is not a Mundingo himself. He respectfully accosted me in broken English, and
bending his knee, offered me his right hand supported under the elbow by his left. I held out my hand which he slightly touched, and
then repeated the same to Falconbridge: he was now invited to be seated under the awning we had erected
over the Lapwing's deck—when he detailed a most pitiable account of sufferings and hardships
which the unfortunate people had undergone; but he said there were many bad people among them, who had
abused his kindness by ingratitude. Falconbridge and myself endeavoured
what we could to convince him we were highly pleased with his behaviour; but as words are not sufficient to convey thankful
acknowledgments in this country, Falconbridge confirmed the assurances we made by a
present of a quantity of rum, and some hard ware, and a promise to represent his conduct to the
St. George's Bay Company, in a proper light, which he was certain would induce them to make a more ample recompence at a future time. Well pleased with his reception, and somewhat enebriated with the effects of repeated glasses of'
spirits he had taken, Pa Boson left us; but first promising
faithfully he would befriend us all in his power at the Palaver. He travelled with much
seeming consequence: his canoe was longer than our cutter, and manned with fourteen people, viz. ten oarsmen, a cockswain, two poignard
bearers, and another who beat time on a slat sounding drum to a song given out by the cockswain, and re-echoed by the oarsmen; the song I am told was expressive of praises to their Chief, and
of their satisfaction for the treatment they had received from us. The following day we visited a small island named Taffo, opposite to Bance
island, at about one mile and a half distance. This is a well wooded island and I should suppose if
cultivated would be a fruitful one.3 It supplies Bance island
with water, which is remarkable fine, and the present holders of the latter
claim a right to this also, but upon what grounds I cannot
say. Approaching the shore I saw many monkies
playing on the beach and catching small fish at the edge of the water, but they all ran away as we drew near; being
informed there was no danger to be apprehended from wild beasts of prey, we penetrated some
distance into the woods. In our walk we saw many pine apples and lime trees,
the spontaneous production of the country, and a variety of birds beautifully plumed, but none that sung. We were also treated with the perfumes of fragrant
aromatic plants, and indeed were vastly delighted and entertained, though I felt fatigued, with our
perambulation. The next day, we went up the river, about twelve
miles, to see a secret or reserved factory belonging to Falconbridge neglected to obtain permission, and
consequently had no sanction, from the Proprietors. After landing we walked, at least half a mile on a
narrow path, through amazing thick woods before we reached the houses; as soon as the inhabitants
perceived us, the women took to their heels and ran to the woods; the men flew to arms, and in a moment we
were met by more than twenty huge fellows armed with guns, pistols and Cutlasses. We were four in number, viz. Falconbridge, the
master of the cutter, a Black man and myself; our Black spoke to them in their own language—they would not
listen to him; but said, if we did not return immediately the way we came, they would put us all to death. It is easier for you to imagine what horrors those
threats occasioned, than for me to point them out. Finding argument fruitless, we put to the right
about, and hastened to our boat; they, following, flanked us on each side of the road, watchfully observing
our motions till they saw us clear off, when, as a mark of exultation, they discharged their muskets
over our heads, and made the woods ring with peals of triumphant clamor. Recovering from my fright a little, I could not
help, you may suppose, exulting (though in a different way) as well as the savages. My heart overflowed with gratitude, to the Author of
its animation, for our providential escape. Returning down the river, we observed numbers of
orange trees, a cluster of them, overloaded with fruit, invited us on shore, and after gathering what
we chose, made the best of our way, and arrived here 3 A small part of this island is now planted with
cotton, coffee, and sugar cane, for account of Messrs, before night. Three days are now elapsed since our expedition to Marre Bump, during which time I have confined myself mostly on board, occupied in writing this letter. It has been, really, a fatiguing job, being obliged to
sit in bed with a book placed on my knee, which serves for a writing desk; but I was determined
whatever the inconveniencies might be, not to let slip an opportunity, as I find they but seldom offer. I lament the Palaver is not over, that I might give
you my account of an remedy this loss. Mr. Elliotte has informed
us the Chiefs will be at Robana the day after
to-morrow, when Falconbridge is desired to attend; I shall accompany him, and long
to know the result. Adieu, Heaven bless you, &c. &c. LETTER III. May 13, 1791 My dear Friend, Occasional visits to and a continual concourse of strangers, making their
African compliments, engrossed two days interval between the date of my last letter, and our second
expedition to Robana; when we set out in a boat and four hands, taking with us plenty of spirits for the
common people, and a little wine for the King and his associates. When we came in sight of the Town, Multitudes of
people thronged to the Beach. Mr. Elliotte met us at the
boat, and the croud formed an avenue, through which
he conducted us to the Queen’s house, amidst such thundering acclamations,
that it was almost impossible to hear one or other speak. The King and Queen met us at the door, and seemed to
give us a hearty welcome. We were then ushered in, and introduced in general
terms to the company, consisting of the parties who were to compose the Court, (and a multiplicity of
women,) their wives, daughters, and attendants. Having seated ourselves, and wasted almost an hour
in receiving the civilities of shaking hands with every individual in the room, the members of the
Court then took their seats, round the large table we dined off, when first there; which was now covered with a
green cloth. The King sat at the head of the table in an old arm
chair: on his right was his secretary, and on his left his Palavar man; or, as
the office is termed in to seat themselves by seniority; the oldest next the Throne,
if I may so term the old chair. The King wore his hat, which was the gold laced one
Falconbridge gave him. On the table was placed wine and rum, of which every
one helped himself plentifully. I was astonished to see, not only the men, but women
drink rum in half pints at a time, as deliberately as I would water. After amusing themselves some time in this way, Mr.
Palaver Man got up, bending his right knee, presented his Majesty with some Cola4 from
the crown of his hat, then retired to the opposite end of the table, when he opened the business of the day, by a
speech of at least an hour and a half long; it being in their own language, I, of course, did not
understand a word, but during the time he spoke, there was the greatest silence and attention observed. 4 A fruit much esteemed in bitter. The next spokesman, was King Jemmy,
who previously went through the same ceremony his predecessor had done : whether this man's language
was eloquent or not, I cannot be a judge, but his vociferation was enough to deafen one; though I had
reason to think what he said gave great satisfaction to the by-standers, who frequently
interrupted him by clapping of hands and shouts of, Ya Hoo! Ya Hoo!
Ya Hoo! and other tokens of applause. My heart quivered with fear least they might be
forming some treacherous contrivance: I could not conceal the uneasiness it felt: My countenance
betrayed me, a shower of tears burst from my eyes, and I swooned into hystericks. Recovering in a short time, I observed every one
around, treating me with the utmost kindness, and endeavouring to convince me that neither insult or injury would
be offered us: but my fears were not to be removed, or even checked hastily, for I had
scarcely got the better of my fright at Marre Bump; however I struggled to awaken my resolution, and
collected enough, after awhile, to affect composure; but believe me it was mere affectation: Night was
drawing nigh, and I solicited Falconbridge to return as soon as possible: He argued, the Court had been
impeded by the awkward situation my fears had thrown me into: but he would set out time enough to reach The Assembly now resumed their business. One or two members offered Cola to the King, which
he refused; a grey headed old man then made the offer, and it being accepted, he took the foot of
the table, and a few words compleating what he had
to say: Mr. Elliotte
intimated that King Naimbana intended to give his
sentiments; upon which every member rose up, and the King continuing in his
chair, covered, delivered his speech in a concise, clear, and respectable manner. After this Mr. Elliotte
acquainted Falconbridge the Court could not come to one mind that night, but
it was generally understood, if he would give fifteen
hundred Bars,5 they would confirm King Naimbana's engagement with Captain Thompson, and re-establish
his people. Falconbridge, whom you know is naturally of an
irritable disposition, quickened at Elliotte's information; but had prudence enough only to say, he
should consider such a demand very extravagant, and his small cargo, which he was desired to
appropriate another way, would not permit him to pay so much, if he had the inclination, We then made our congees, and took leave of those
African gentry; indeed it was high time, for the liquor they had drank began to operate powerfully:
Mr. Elliotte and several others accompanied us to the boat: in our walk thither, he much admired a
handsome fowling piece of Mr. Falconbridge's, which Falconbridge without hesitation requested he would
accept, thinking such an immediate shew of generosity might have a favourable
tendency. 5 A Bar is the nominal price of a certain quantity
of goods, which the natives formerly considered of equal value with a bar of iron; but at present they
do not appear to have any criterion: two pounds of tobacco is a bar, and two yards of fine Both of us promised to be down again the following
day, when it was expected the Palavar would be finished: but I must be honest and tell you, I was
resolved not to visit Robana again, while this mock judicatory lasted. About seven o'clock we reached the Cutter; I was
almost famished with want of food, for I had not eat a morsel the whole day: there was not a thing on
board, but salt beef, so hard, we were obliged to chop it with an axe, and some mouldy,
rotten biscuits; however, so great was my hunger, that I could not help satisfying it with some of this beef and bread,
uncouth as it was. In the morning I feigned sickness, and beg'd to be excused from attending Falconbridge; he
therefore set out, reluctantly leaving me behind: when he was
gone, I went on shore, and spent the day in comfort and pleasantry, under the hospitable roof of
of the preceding day, which afforded much mirth and
glee to the company. I met one Rennieu (a
Frenchman) there; he has a factory at a small Island, called branch of this River, named thing in his power to serve us. Before Falconbridge returned, which was not till
between eight and nine o'clock at night, I had not only got on board, but in bed, and as he did not ask how
I had spent the day, I did not inform him: he was vexed and out of humor, said he thought the wretches
were only bamboozling him, he believed they would do nothing but drink the liquor, while he had
a drop to carry them, for he was no forwarder than the day before. In this manner he was obliged to repeat his visits for
five successive days, before he got their final decision, which however, was at last tolerably favorable on
our side. They consented to re establish the people, and to
grant to the St. George's Bay Company, all the land King Naimbana had formerly
sold Captain Thompson; for a paltry consideration, of about thirty pounds; and for the good faith and true performance
of the contract, the King said he would pledge his second son John Frederic, whom Falconbridge might
take with him to Falconbridge told Naimbana,
he would be very glad to take his son to Company would have him educated and treated kindly
without considering him a hostage. This pleased the old man vastly, and it was agreed,
John Frederic shall accompany us, when we leave The following, or sixth day, Falconbridge had
engaged to carry down to Robana the stipulated
goods for repurchasing the land, and by his importunities, I
was prevailed on to accompany him. We arrived early in the morning, and having soon made a
delivery of the goods, which was all the business for the day, I was juk about
expressing a desire to see some salt works, I learned were upon the the King, as though he had anticipated my wishes,
enquired if we liked to see them? if so, he would walk there with us: We accordingly went, passing in
our way a hamlet or two, inhabited by the King's slaves. These works lay near a mile from the town, and are a
parcel of small holes, or basons formed in a low, muddy place; they are supplied with sea water, which
the burning sun quickly exhales, leaving the saline particles, and by frequent repetition, a
quantity of salt is thus accumulated, which the King conveys into, and disposes of in the interior country, for
slaves. Making this salt is attended with a very trifling expence, for none but old, refuse, female slaves,
are employed in the work, and the profit is considerable. Early in the afternoon we returned, to remained with me several days, during which I had
opportunities (for I made a point of it) to try her disposition; I found it impetuous, litigious, and
implacable: I endeavoured to persuade her to dress
in the European way, but to no purpose; she would tear
the clothes off her back immediately after I put them on. Finding no credit could be gained by trying to new
fashion this Ethiopian Princess, I got rid of her as soon as possible. Falconbridge now had effected the grand object; he was
next to collect and settle the miserable refugees: no time was to be lost in accomplishing
this; the month of February was nearly spent, only three months of dry weather remained for them to
clear their land, build their houses, and prepare their ground for a crop to support them the ensuing year;
he therefore dispatched a Greek, who came out in the Lapwing, with some of the blacks, up to Pa
Boson's, to gather and bring down the people, while we went in the Cutter, taking a few who were at settlement. The spot they were driven from, was, to be preferred
to any other part; but by treaty it was agreed they should not settle there: There were other situations
nearly as good, and better considerably than the one fixed on; but immediate convenience was a powerful
inducement. Here was a small village, with seventeen pretty good
huts, which the natives had evacuated from a persuasion they were infested by some evil spirits;
but as they made no objection to our occupying them, we gladly took possession, considering it a
fortunate circumstance to have such temporary shelter for the whole of our people. 'When those from Pa Boson's had joined us,
Falconbridge called them all together, making forty-six, including men and women; and after representing the
charitable intentions of his coming to issuing to them such cloathing
as were sent out in the Lapwing; he exhorted in the most pathetic language, that they might merit by their industry
and good behaviour the notice now taken of them, endeavour to remove the unfavourable
prejudices that had gone abroad, and thereby deserve further favours from their friends in them tools of all kinds, for cultivating their land,
also arms and ammunition to defend themselves, if necessary; that there articles, would be brought on
shore when they got a storehouse built; where they would be lodged for their common good and occasional
use; he then concluded this harangue by saying.—he named .the place Esq. at whose instance they were provided with the
relief now afforded them. I never did, and God grant I never may again, witness
so much misery as I was forced to be a spectator of here: Among the outcasts were seven of our
country women, decrepid with disease, and so
disguised with filth and dirt, that I should never have
supposed they were born white; add to this, almost naked from head to foot; in short, their appearance was
such as I think would extort compassion from the most callous heart; but I declare they seemed
insensible to shame, or the wretchedness of their situation themselves; I begged they would get washed, and gave
them what cloaths I could conveniently spare: Fa1conbridge had a hut appropriated as a hospital,
where they were kept separate from the other settlers and by his attention and care, they recovered in a
few weeks. I always supposed these people had been transported
as convicts, but some conversation I lately had with one of the women, has partly undeceived me: She
said, the women were mostly of that description of persons who walk the streets of men were employed to collect and conduct them to Wapping, where they were intoxicated with liquor, then inveigled on board of ship, and married to Black
men, whom they had never seen before; that the morning after she was married, she really did not
remember a syllable of what had happened over night, and when informed, was obliged to inquire who
was her husband? After this, to the time of their sailing, they were amused and buoyed up by a
prodigality of fair promises, and great expectations which awaited them in the country they were going
to: "Thus," in her own words, "to the disgrace of my mother country, upwards of one hundred
unfortunate women, were seduced from practice their iniquities more brutishly in this horrid
country.” Good heaven! how the relation of this tale made me
shudder;—I questioned its veracity, and enquired of the other women who exactly corroborated what I
had heard,; nevertheless, I cannot altogether reconcile myself to believe it; for it is scarcely
possible that the British Government, at this advanced and' enlightened, age, envied and admired as it is
by the universe, could be capable of exercising or countenancing such a Gothic infringement on human Immediately after we had fixed on this Place for the
settlement,. I singled out one of the best huts for my own residence; where I remained nigh a month,
though I did not sleep on shore the whole time: About a fortnight I continued to go oh board the
Cutter at night, when it was necessary to send her to the. want a door was some inconvenience, and as no
deal, or other boards could be procured for the purpose, it made I made a country mat supply the place—for
I now find 'tis necessary to accommodate myself to whatever J meet with, there being but few
conveniences or accommodating things in this part of The river abounds with fine fish, and we get
abundance of them; which, with rice, wild deer, and some poultry, forms my common food since 1 came to In something less than four weeks we got a large
store house and several additional huts for the settlers built, and had the goods landed from the
Lapwing—they consist chiefly of ironmongery, such as blacksmiths and plantation tools, a prodigious
number of children’s trifling halfpenny knives, and some few dozen scissars of the
same description. I am charitable enough to think the benevolent
gentleman, who purchased those goods, had a double purpose in view, viz to
serve his sister from whom he bought them,—and; the persons to whom they are sent; but certainly he was unacquainted, with the.
quality of the latter articles or he must have known they were very improper gifts of charity. A part of the store-house being partitioned off for
us, we took up our abode there whenever it was ready for our reception—it is rather larger, and
consequently more cool, which is the only preference I can give it to the last habitation. The men all do duty as militia, and we have a
constant guard kept during the night; but the natives seem to dread this spot so much, that we see very
few, and I really think we have less to fear from them than our own people, who are extremely turbulent, and so
unruly at. times, that with difficulty Falconbridge can assuage them, or preserve the least
decorum. He was desired by the Company to build a fort, and
they sent out six pieces of cannon, which are now on board the Lapwing—but omitted to send
carriages, and consequently the guns are useless; though if they were compleat,
Falconbridge thinks it would not be prudent to trust them with the present
settlers, from a belief that they might apply them improperly. He is also requested by his instructions to collect
as many samples of country productions as he can, and he wished to employ some of the people in that
way, hut none would give their services for less than half a guinea per day, which price he has been
forced to pay them; this is the greatest instance of ingratitude I ever met with. We were alarmed a little while since by dreadful
shouts, in the vicinity of our town, and supposed the natives meant to attack us; immediately Falconbridge
armed his militia, and marched out towards where the noise was heard, they had not gone far
when they met three or four Panyarers, or
man thieves, just in the act of ironing a poor victim
they had caught hunting, and the shouts we heard proved to be rejoicings of the banditti. Falconbridge did not think it advisable to rescue
the prisoner by force, or to interfere further than what words would do; and as some of the Panyarers spoke English, he remonstrated
against the devilish deed they were committing, but to little effect. They said somebody belonging to the prisoner's town had
injured them, and it was the custom of their country to retaliate on any person living in the
same place with an offender, if they could not get himself, which the present case was an example of. They then carried him away, and in all probability
this man will be deprived of his liberty while he lives, by the barbarous customs of his country, for the
imaginary offences of another. I omitted mentioning in my last letter, that the day
after we arrived at Falconbridge, in consequence of a trifling dispute
with his brother, separated from us, and went into the service of Messrs. Anderson's, but his constitution was not
adapted for this inhospitable climate. He went down the coast to was unavoidably exposed to the severity of the
weather, from which he got a fever and although he immediately returned to irresistible conqueror, Death, made all endeavours fruitless, and hurried him to eternity u.
yesterday, after a short illness of four days. The tornados, or thunder squalls, which set in at
this season of the year, preceding the continued rains, have commenced some time, the vivid intense
lightning from dismal black clouds, make them awfully beautiful; they are accompanied with violent winds
and heavy rains, succeeded by an abominable stench from the earth, and disagreeable hissings and
noises from: frogs, crickets, and many other insects which the rains draw out. Musquettos also are growing so troublesome, as to oblige us to
keep continued smokes in and about the house. I have not seen any serpents, but am told there are
abundance, and some very venomous. Here are a vast variety of beautiful lizards
constantly about the door catching flies: and I have often seen the changeable camelion. We have not yet been troubled by any of the
ferocious wild beasts which inhabit the mountains of I have now in spirits an uncommon insect, which was
caught here a day or two ago in the act of stinging a Lascar (one of t he settlers); it is
rather larger than a locust, covered with a tortoise coloured shell, has forceps like a lobster, and thin
transparent wings like a fly; the bite has thrown the poor Lascar into a dreadful fever, which I fear will
carry him off. I have three monkies, one
a very handsome Capuchin, with a sulphur coloured beard of great length. Nature seems to have been astonishingly sportive in
taste and prodigality here, both of vegetable and animal productions, for I cannot stir out without admiring
the beauties or deformities of her creation. Every thing I see is entirely new to me, and no
withstanding the eye quickly becomes familiarized, and even satiated with views which we are daily
accustomed to; yet there is such a variety here as to afford a continual zest to the sight. To be frank, if I had a little agreeable society, a
few comforts, and could ensure the same good health I have hitherto enjoyed, I should not be against
spending some years of my life in those sweeteners of life, I certainly wish to return to
where they may be had. When that will be, is not in my power at present to
tell; but if I have a chance of writing to you again, I then may be able; in the interim accept an honest
farewell from Your affectionate, &c. Forward to Two
Voyages to Sierra Leone, Part 3 |
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