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SIERRA LEONE

AFTER A HUNDRED, YEARS

BY THE

Ricet Rev, E. G. INGHAM, D.D.
[Jib/NT (ff Sterra Leone

WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON
SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED
Essex STREET, STRAND

1894

 

D Ti?) 4/ k;

T 5

DEDICATED
TO
THE HONOURED MEMORY
oF
ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE IN LOVING AND
DEVOTED LABOUR FOR THE GOOD OF THE
COLONY AND CHURCH

oF

SIERRA LEONE

418

 

THE C.M.S. GRAMMAR SCHOOL

LPRE PA CH

Ix sending forth this work, the author will
only express his hope, that if, notwithstand-
ing his inexperience as a writer, it should
secure a reading, it will compel attention to a
Colony and a Church that have very peculiar
claims on British philanthropy.

This is a period of centenary celebrations.
The year 1887 was a very important one in
Sierra Leone. The Queen's Jubilee, and the
completion of a' hundred years since the
arrival of the first settlers from London, in
1787, laid upon the Colony the necessity
of having a demonstration worthy of such
a happy combination. And a very interest-
ing celebration it was.

At that time the writer was not qualified,

vi PREFACE

either by experience or by observation, to
venture upon anything beyond a commemor-
ative sermon or speech. And a more ex-
tended knowledge of West Africa, covering
eleven years, would not, even now, em-
bolden him to take up his pen and thrust a
book upon the public;. were it. not that a
very interesting and important manuscript
diary 'of the first governor has been placed
in his hands by the family, for any use
which he may decide to make of it.*

After most careful study of this diary, kept
in Sterfa Leone itself, during "the year 1702
by (Governor Clarkson, <the writer) considers
that there are many passages in it that can-
not fail to interest the present inhabitants
of: the Colony,, as well as others who are
deeply concerned in its welfare.

If it is a source of strength to be reminded

of the noble philanthropy of those early friends

* Thanks are due to the same family for some of our illustra-
tions: also to Major Fairclough, RA., for his excellent
photographs.

PREFACE vii

of Africa; if there is inspiration in the example
of a good and conscientious man; if it is a
power to have knowledge of the circumstances
of a hundred years ago in this little corner
of Africa, and of how they were met ; if there
is guidance to be had from the experiences
and mistakes and disasters of that time, then
these selections will help and not hinder those
who are called upon to face the situation of
the present moment. It is important, more-
over, that the rising generation of Sierra
Leoneans should now begin to take some
interest in theit past; and if this book should
lead them to look back upon this Colonisation
Scheme as a terminus from which they register
the turn of the tide of the fortunes of their
race, the writer will feel rewarded. But he
aims at more than this, else the selections
might have appeared without note, comment
or addition. He desires to draw a contrast
between the beginning and the end of the
hundred years ; to indicate the progress made;

to bring out as forcibly as possible the features

viii PREFACE

and circumstances of the présent; and to en-
force the conclusion that men, like John
Clarkson, of his disinterested zeal and con-
scientiousness, are urgently needed zow, not
only among Englishmen, but also among
Africans, if the objects and aims of a hundred
years ago are not to be utterly missed.

It may interest the reader, and lead to the
increased circulation of this book, to know
that any profits which the author may derive
from its sale will be given to the ' Princess
Christian Cottage Hospital! at Sierra Leone,
which was completed and opened in 1892
(just a hundred years after the events here
narrated) and where our English sisters
are engaged in practically training African
women of the educated class in-the art of

nursing the sick.

Bisnors CoUrT, SIERRA LEONE
) )
April 1894.

VI.

vI.

VIII.

IX,.

XI.

XI.

XII.

XIV.

Co NTE NTS

---...

AWAKENING OF PUBLIC OPINION,
REPATRIATION,

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'$ DIARY,

. GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY -confinued,

GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DiaARYy--conc/uded,

GLEANINGS FROM THE COMPANY'S REPORTS, AND OTHER
RECORDS, | . ¥ s A t

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY ENTERPRISE,
RELICS + +

SIERRA LEONE IN 1894-THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE
KROOMEN, | . ¥ . i .

SIERRA LEONE IN [894-—'I'HE MIXED MULTITUDE,

SIERRA LEONE IN 1894 - CLIMATE, GOVERNMENT,
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, + +

SIERRA LEONE IN I894-ITS CHRISTIANITY,
SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA, P +

*THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER,!

PAGE

16

73
118

168

193

209

258
284

305
319
331
355

 

 

ARRIVAL OF A MAIL STEAMER

OH IELD S Z RA FHAONS:

SACKVILLE STREET, FREE TOWN, 4 k + Frontispiece

PAGE
C.M.S. GRAMMAR SCHOOL, * * ; X 3 iv
ARRIVAL OF A MAIL STEAMER, i R ; z x
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, , s * * a xii
THOMAS CLARKSON, * 2
FREE TOWN, MARCH 16, 1792, k f a # 18
THE RIVER, SIEREA LEONE, |. % £ z f 100

FREE TOWN, NOVEMBER IO, 1792, P + « . 140

 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

GOVERNOR CLARKSON, F F

ROBANNA ISLAND, VILLAGE OF KING NAIMBANNA,
HENRY THORNTON, -. f E s
FOURAH BAY COLLEGE, R

KROO TOWN, « . ® *

KROO Town BAY, a f s *

QUTSKIRTS OF FREE TOWN, AND BEACH SCENE,

BISHOP's COURT, # . + #
STREET SCENE AND sHOP, FREE TOWN, X
KISSY STREET, FREE TowNX . + r

FREE TOWN FROM THE HILLS, AND RAVINE ON Kissy ROAD,

COUNTRY ROAD, AND STREET SCENE, s
ANNIE WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOOL,

SUSAXN'$ BAY, |. R * A

ST GEORGF's CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, _.

WILBERFORCE MEMORIAL HALL, +

 

 

PAGE

167
170
194
257
276
283
284
288
292
294
298
328
330
338
362
368

 

 

 

 

 

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE

From a Drawing by J. Slater

After a Hundred Years

CHAPTER I
AWAKENING OF PUBLIC OPINION
'The Lord hath a controversy with His people.'

THE very name of Sierra Leone must ever be
associated with an interesting and thrilling period
of British history.

No sooner had the termination of the American
War set men's minds free to consider other matters,
than we find Mr Wilberforce bringing before Parlia-
ment the wrongs of the negro race, and the solemn re-
sponsibility of the nation in the matter of slavery and
the slave trade. An important incident in connection
with that unfortunate war was, moreover, to link it
for ever with the enterprise about to be described.

Whether we consider the times themselves, or the
men who then so warmly espoused this cause, we are
led to believe that the influence at work was that of

A

24 AWAKENING OF PUBLIC OPINION

the great ' Evangelical Revival, which had begun with
John Wesley, and was now taking hold of the Church
of England herself - It will be interesting to note
some of the most important steps by which men's
«minds were drawn to this subject.

The Society of Friends were the first to lay a peti-
tion on the evils of the slave trade on the table of the
Mouse of Commons, This was in 1;53f And it was
very possibly owing to the great attention drawn to
the matter by that petition, that led the Vice-Chan-
cellor of Cambridge, in 1783, to select as the subject
for two Latin prize essays the thesis: ' Is it right to
make slaves of others against their will ?'

The competition was open to those who had obtained
the B.A. degree. Thomas Clarkson had successfully
competed in this direction on a former occasion,
and he was now naturally desirous of sustaining his
reputation. It was in collecting materials for this
essay. that he came to see the enormity of this
traffic. ; The thought of} a prize soon became quite
a secondary consideration. He achieved a literary
success indeed, but a far greater result was to follow.
On his way up to London from Cambridge after that
literary triumph, it was borne in upon his mind that
(to use his own words) ' if the contents of this essay
are true, it is time that some person should see these
calamities to their end' He determined, as one
means of attracting public attention, to publish his
essay in English The.result was immediate Me

 

 

AWAKENING OF PUBLIC OPINION 3

was soon surrounded by a host of friends. We may
mention amongst others, Dr Porteous, Bishop of
London, Hannah More, Granville Sharp, and, not-
ably, William Wilberforce, to whom, as a rising
politician, he submitted his essay, and whose whole
heart he was happily instrumental in enlisting in
the cause.

The next date of importance in our chain is 1787;
and it will be interesting presently to note, that the
year which saw the creation of the Sierra Leone
Company, witnessed also the formation of the first
anti-slavery society, whose efforts were destined to
produce the great Act of 1807, against the slave trade ;
and the still more important Act of 1834, for the
abolition of slavery throughout the British dominions.
From 1787 to 1800, every session of Parliament wit-
nessed Wilberforce's desperate and devoted efforts to
carry his motion. In 1800, however, it was resolved
to suspend Parliamentary exertion until some favour-
able event should occur to change the temper of both
Houses. And it is most interesting, at a time like
the present, to notice that Me very first Parliament-
ary result of the Union between Great Britain and
Ireland was to secure a majority on this great question.
There came, through the Union, an accession to
Westminster of one hundred fresh members. Most
of these men were known to be favourable to the
anti-slavery cause. Wilberforce at once reintro-
duced his motion. A majority of 69 to 36 was

4 AWAKENING OF PUBLIC QPINION

secured, and it was this happy and united vote in
S04 that ensured the great victory of 180;.

It will be seen by those who study that agitation,
that the men who were its mainspring and inspira-
tion, were the very men who were at the same time
administering the scheme of practical benevolence
that has now to be recorded.

CHAPTER .I I
REPATRIATION
'Then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.'

IT was not necessary to visit either America or the
West Indies at that time to ascertain something
of the forlorn and helpless condition of the un-
fortunate negroes, or the cruelty of the bondage
in which they were too often held by the stronger
races of mankind. For many were living a sort
of Pariah life in London, some were actually sold
in its streets, others were seen in the retinue of their
West Indian owners during an English sojourn. It
was at the beginning of the long and weary agitation
that arose in the manner related in the last chapter,
that the incident occurred which forever associated
Sierra Leone with this movement. That incident
was the rexcontre between a Mr Granville Sharp
and an ill-used negro slave, whose wounds were
being dressed in a London Hospital, at which he
happened to call. That meeting was fruitful in its
consequences for Africa. It was the means of en-
$

6 REPATRIATION

listing that good man's whole soul in a struggle
that was to cost him much labour and expense:
He would not believe that any human being could
remain a slave after touching British soil, As he
acted on this presumption in the cases of those un-
fortunates who took refuge with him from their
masters, he was soon in the law courts. And it was
not until after several discomfitures, and much ex-
pense, and much personal study of law, that his
indomitable perseverance was finally rewarded by
the celebrated judgment of Lord Chief Justice
Mansficld, given on the 22d June 1772. ' The claim
of slavery can never be supported. The power
claimed never was in use here, or acknowledged by
the law." And hence was established by law the
glorious principle-' As soof as any slave sets his
foot on English ground he becomes free.'

It has been well said, that 'they that watch Pro-
vidences shall never want a Providence to watch.
When the reader has patiently read through these
pages, we think he will admit that there was a
Providence in the conjunction of events that are
now being narrated.

'The first thought, after this memorable decision,
was to discover some suitable spot, if possible, in
Africa itself, that would be congenial and safe for
these London outcasts. - It so happened that a Mr
Smeathman, a former resident in Western Africa,
was in a position to give some firsthand information

REPATRIATION 7

about that coast. He warmly recommended a negro
settlement in Sierra Leone, and this peninsula seems
at once to have been selected. The scheme did not
long wait for warm-hearted supporters And the
house at Battersea Rise, where his descendants still
live, could tell of many a meeting of the newly-
formed Sierra Leone Company, under the chair-
manship of Henry Thornton, its owner, under whose
guidance this benevolent and practical undertaking
took shape, grew and developed, side by side with
the gradual rise of the tide of public opinion in
Parliament, and in the country, on the still larger
questions. This company had soon raised a few
thousand pounds to assist those Africans in London,
who had, in consequence of Lord Mansfield's judg-
ment, been turned adrift by their masters, to settle
at Sierra Leone, where they had procured, by pur-
chase, from native chiefs, the cession of a considerable
district. Government liberally aided this under-
taking, by consenting to bear the expense of trans-
port, and promising to supply rations for six or
eight months after arrival in Africa. Whether it
was owing to previous hardships in London, or
overcrowding on ship board, out of 400 that left
England 84 died on the voyage. Nearly 100 fell
victims to their own intemperance or hardships
during the first rainy season. The remainder, after
having built a town in Sierra Leone, were dispersed
in 1790 through a palaver with native chiefs, in

8 REPATRILATION

which they became accidentally involved, but they
were re-united in 17q1 through the Sierra Leone
Company, and finally settled at Granville Town,
about two miles east of Freetown.

London, it soon appeared, was not the only place
where negroes were to be found in an outcast and
forlorn condition. - And when the company had _
become incorporated by Act of Parliament, and
considerable funds seemed likely to come in, the
directors began to look further afield. At that
moment a delegate (an African) named Peters was
in England representing the- case of certain Nova
Scotians. "These people were Africans, born in
North America, who had run away from. their
masters, and had taken the British side in the War
of Independence.. They had cast in their lot com-
pletely with that of the British army, whose fortunes
they followed ; they had shown considerable courage
in the course of the war, as their wounds. would
testify; and they had consequently, by their loyalty
to the British side, completely alienated and separ-
ated themselves from their former masters Re-
duced in number by capture, death and dispersion,
the remainder were brought,. at the conclusion of
the war, to Nova Scotia, where they were promised,
in common with certain white loyalists, adequate
provisions and grants of land. It was pretty clearly
shown by this delegate that neither in provisions
nor grants were these promises fairly fulfilled; and

REPATRIATION (e)

a sense of injustice, added to the severity of the
climate, rendered such a body of people peculiarly
ready to welcome the idea of repatriation. The
Sierra Leone Company decided that the present
was a favourable moment for transplanting any of
these people, who might be willing, to their own
country once more. Government willingly promised
its countenance and aid. For this difficult enter-
prise Lieutenant Clarkson, R.N. was selected. His
zeal and devotion were beyond all praise His
interesting diary reveals to us the discouragements
he met with from the English residents ; the patience
and tact displayed in announcing his mission to
the negroes themselves; his testimony as to the
condition in which he found them ; and the success
with which he conveyed the large party across
the Atlantic to Sierra Leone.

In spite of most careful explanations and warn-
ings, calculated to remove undue anticipations, 1196
persons were found more than willing to embark
under this officer. In order to prepare for repatria-
tion, they sold their little properties, often at in-
adequate values, and they even paid up each other's
debts. Whatever education these people possessed
had been acquired since their transport to Nova
Scotia. It is said that a few of them had, with
part of their earnings, put themselves to school,
and that these became the first preachers and school-
masters of the new colony.

K.

1O REPATRIATION

In March 1792 this Nova Scotian fleet, consist-
ing of sixteen vessels, arrived at Sierra Leone, and
landed 1131 persons once more on their own coast.
Sixty-five had died on the passage of a fever con-
tracted while waiting in tents at Halifax; and
Lieutenant Clarkson, whose humanity had led him
to embark in the hospital ship, narrowly escaped
with his life, being extremely weak and ill on
reaching Sierra Leone. When the company in
England received news of this large approaching
increase in their family, it was felt that prompt
steps must be taken to meet the emergency, The
first vessel sent out by the company reached Sierra
Leone in February 1792. Two others rapidly fol-
lowed. More than too white persons went out in
these ships, of whom 40 were company's servants or
artificers, to were settlers, 16 soldiers, and between
30 and 40 women and children.

The land was cleared in a few weeks, and the town
was named Freetown, in consequence of an instruction
to that effect sent out from home.

It must regretfully be stated (and evidence of it will
be seen in the diary), that misunderstandings between
superintendent and council, the utter incompetency
and neglect of some of its members, disobedience to
orders sent out by the company as to the use to be
made of the ships, confusion in the accounts, in the
stores, and in the information sent home, were the
main causes of the bad name which the colony imme-

REPATRIATION II

diately acquired through the mortality of the first
rainy season. When we imagine this season setting
in, as we know it does in this colony, and remember
that there was no adequate shelter for these settlers,
when we are told that no retail shop had been set up,
no money medium established, that neither food nor
physic were to be had, though cargoes of both lay in
the harbour, and when, moreover, we read that 800
Africans were laid up at one time, and all the medical
men but one were ill, we are not surprised that great
depression of spirits prevailed. Nor are we unpre-
pared to find that about one-half of the Europeans,
and one-tenth of the Africans died in that first rainy
season. - One anxiety was followed closely by another.
The colony was but just emerging from these dis-
tresses, when a most unexpected influx of European
settlers, who had been disappointed in the Bulam
enterprise (referred to in the diary), arrived in Free-
town harbour, and perplexed the governor by
earnestly petitioning for leave to settle in Sierra Leone.
They were in considerable distress and want. But
peremptory orders had been sent out that this
application, if made, was on no account to be enter-
tained. It appears that many of these very people
had applied to come out under the Sierra Leone Com-
pany, but had fallen short of its high standard. It
appears that no one who had debts in England was
allowed to join. As far as possible, men and women
of high moral and religious purpose, who would be

C2 REPATRIA TION

likely to exercise a good influence on the, African
setUiement, were sought for, and only a limited
number, even of these, could be received. Nothing
brings out more clearly than these facts, the high
resolve and noble purpose of the company, and the
right principles on which their actions were based.

The petition of these people was therefore courte-
ously, but firmly, refused: All possible relief to
suffering was afforded, and facilities for returning to
England were tendered and ultimately accepted.

One other act of repatriation, under the auspices of
the Sierra Leone Company, remains to be mentioned.
Although of much later date, it is best recorded here.
It was in September 1800, during a most unjustifiable

Avoutbreak and rebellion on the part of the Nova
- Scotians, that a contingent of Maroons arrived in the
river, under the command of some English officers.
It proved a timely accession. The number was 530.
The history of this new contingent is as follows:-
© After the Maroon war in Jamaica, these people were
removed by Government to Nova Scotia on account
of the hostility said to exist between them and the
natives of that island. It was intended to settle them
permanently in Nova Scotia, but, as the reader will
be, prepared to hear, neither the country nor the
climate proved suitable. Under these circumstances
application was made by Government to the Sierra
Leone Company. The directors were not willing to
receive them in their colony, but promised all assist-

REPATRIATION I3

ance in settling them in some other part of Africa,
and also superintending and instructing them, if
Government would leave to the directors the selection
of the agents, and defray every expense. An under-
standing was accordingly effected. The governor and
council had hoped to secure the Banana Islands for
these Maroons, but slave traders succeeded in frustrat-
ing the project. Efforts were then made to settle
them on the Bullom shore, but the natives had been
made afraid of them. Thus it came to pass, that, at
their own great wish, they were received into the
colony, and settled at Granville town.

When it is remembered that this enterprise of the
Sierra Leone Company-a body of Christian philan-
thropists who had probably never been out of Europe -
-occurred more than a hundred years ago, long
before the days of steam, and when the modern
facilities for travel were unknown, its heroism and
its pluck come more clearly into view.

The reader will notice, as he peruses Governor
Clarkson's diary, instances of miscalculation, mis-
management, and mistake. It will be seen what
unsuitable men and materials were frequently sent
out from England at the all-important start of the
colony. Utterly mistaken anticipations as to the
rapid development of lawful commerce will be
observed.

The wonder, however, will be, not that so many
mistakes were made, but that Christian philan-

T4 REFPATRIATION

thropy was to be found in those days equal to so
vast an expenditure on behalf of a down-trodden
race, able to survive so many grievous disappoint-
ments, and equal to the task of directing the affairs
of this settlement, until it became a Crown colony
in the year 18098. Here is a clear instance of the
truth, that those who live nearest to the events in
which they figure, are least able to form a true and
accurate judgment of their full significance. | Ihe
Siefra Leone Company had little to quicken its
enthusiasm during the short term of its existence.
Not to speak of the inevitable cold water plenti-
fully poured on it at home, discouraging reports from
their little colony, and constant demands for fresh ex-
penditure, accounts of captured ships, and pillaged
stores, were not exactly calculated to quicken zeal in
\/ this venture of faith and love. But the nineteenth
century was a very few years old before it was seen
that Sterra Leone had been indeed a happy thought,
and that this excellent company had been instru-
mental in forming. a settlement that the British
Government would now find most valuable in the
interests of other members of this same oppressed
race --rescued, not from London, nor from . Nova
Scotia, but from the slave trader on the high seas.
Although it does not come within the scope of
this work to trace this much more extended repat-
rlation under the direction of the Crown, after the
Act of 1807, yet it may be stated, as affording some

REPATRIATION I 5

indication of the extent, that, between the years 1819
and 1838, there were 48,359 repatriated and regis-
tered in the colony. And this accounts for only
twenty years of the century. Liberia was another
indirect result of the movement of 1787, and still
there are indications that the idea is in the air.

We cannot more suitably conclude this chapter,
than by commending to all Africans in America and
the West Indies tke principle of selection acted on by
the Sierra Leone Company in 1787. who are
impecunious, unthrifty, unsuccessful, and unsteady in
the lands of their adoption, had better never return to
Africa. Disappointment will certainly await them,‘\/
and their advent will do more harm than good.
But to the true-hearted son of Africa, who has pro-
fited by his long exile, and learnt many things from
those whom he once served, who has the fear of God
in his heart, and also some love for his race and
country, Africa offers a unique sphere for effort and
successful enterprise, and a climate to which he can
rapidly adapt himself once more. And many are
thinking that such a /mited repatriation on the part
of those of her sons who have her true interests at
heart, and who possess qualifications that her indigenous
peoples cannot yet so well command, is just the very
solution for which the knotty puzzle of the African
problem is waiting.

CH AEEER IL]

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY
-+ 'The words of the wise are as goads."

THE following pages contain the promised extracts
from Governor Clarkson's Sierra Leone Diary and
Correspondence. They have been carefully selected
from two thick volumes of manuscript.

The period covered by the extracts is from March
17092 to September 1793. It has been thought well
not to insert any explanatory remarks between the
various extracts, but to leave the reader to gather
his own impressions from the various recorded facts
and opinions. Where dates occur, it will be because
they have come naturally into the extracts made.
Where none are mentioned, the period referred to will
be approximately apprehended. - It will be found
that a very fair impression of the first year's history
of Sierra Leone as a settlement will thus be left on
the mind.

These brief records will, it is hoped, become the

lasting and valued possession of the people of this
16

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 17

colony. They contain much information that we
believe has never hitherto been forthcoming, about
the circumstances that attended its first settlement.
The mistakes, and faults, and sins of white and black
are impartially laid bare. The character of a good
man and capable leader is set forth to be a noble
inspiration to others. And it is earnestly hoped that
the earnest words culled from Governor Clarkson's
farewell sermon, with which these extracts conclude,
may deeply impress many hearts, and that his con-
cluding prayer may express the earnest aspiration of
many of those who are privileged to be the direct
successors of éke first settlers. Let not the much larger
number, who have become inhabitants of this colony
since 1787 and 1792, put these records aside, as con-
cerning only the Nova Scotians or the London
settlers. For, on almost every page, it will be seen
how the thought of Governor Clarkson, and of the
great company that commissioned him, went far
beyond that small handful of people, and dwelt upon
those other tribes of the African race, whose condi-
tion, it was hoped, this colony would hereafter be
instrumental in ameliorating. Those great thoughts
soared even beyond the masses centred here to-day,
after a hundred years, and they embraced the whole
of this dark continent as possibly partaking of sub-
stantial benefit and blessing through this colony.

May these records, then, stir up many hearts, and
create and stimulate true and lofty aims. And may

B

eeg.

18 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

many be led to resolve that there never shall be
wanting a company of Sierra Leone people, who will
realise on this spot the noble ambitions and high
standards enunciated and acted upon by the old
Sierra Leone Company and its first governor.

THE DIARY

'The ground we are now clearing to build a town,
to be named /ree Town, is situated upon an eminence
near the beach, and exposed to the sea breezes, which
regularly take place about ten or eleven o'clock in the
morning. This spot was formerly occupied by the
few settlers sent out by Mr Granville Sharp in the
year 1787, but who were driven away by Ring
Jeimmy, alter he had been attacked by Captain
Savage of H.M. ship Pomona in the latter end of 1788.
The country about Free Town is very mountainous and
rocky, the stratum a lava, containing a considerable
portion of iron ; the highest hill, which appears to be
about eight miles off, is in the shape of a cone, and it
is probable it may be an extinguished volcano. The
whole face of the country is covered with wood ; some
of theitress are very large, and, I dare venture to say,
will hereafter afford good timber. It abounds every-
where with low shrubs and underwood, which renders
it extremely difficult to penetrate into the country.
The water is considered very good and well-tasted.

'King Jemmy has been extremely shy since our

     

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GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 1Q

arrival, and does not appear disposed to visit us, or to
place any confidence in us. Thinking it right to
remove these feelings, I paid him a private visit this
morning for the first time, by landing at a path
leading directly to his town ; the king being apprised
of my intention, received me with civility. It was
thought best for me to go with only two or three
attendants than to pay him a formal visit. The king
speaks a little English, and said he was glad to see
me ; but I evidently saw that he felt uncomfortable,
though he endeavoured to appear otherwise. He has
not yet forgotten the dispute he had with Captain
Savage, and the loss sustained by both sides, for he
has been extremely cautious of trusting himself with
white men ever since. Mutual civilities took place ;
he offered me some wine and water, and, putting his
glass to his own mouth first, gave it to me afterwards.
This is a custom of the country to show that you
may take it with safety. I wished him his health,
and prosperity and happiness to his country. We
shook hands with each other, and I said I should be
glad to see him, and be better acquainted. In the
evening I sent him a small present of wine. The
town he inhabits consists of about forty or fifty
huts, irregularly placed, and interspersed with palm,
banana, plantain, orange, lime, paw-paw, and cola
trees, which in a great measure supply the natives
with food. The houses are built in a circular form, \/
and have a pyramidal roof ; the outer stakes which

m

20 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

form them are matted together with small twigs, and
afterwards plastered inside with mud ; the roof or
eave of the house projects about two or three feet
beyond the sides, forming a pleasant shade, under
which the natives sit without being exposed to the
scorching heat of the sun. To each of these houses
are two doors, which are placed exactly opposite to

/each other. The space inside is rarely, if ever, divided
| into compartments. - The usual dress of the natives is

a small piece of cotton cloth, fastened round the waist
and brought between the legs. Sometimes the men
will wear a loose kind of shirt over this, but the
women are almost naked. The king was dressed in
an old naval captain's uniform.

The workmen are making great progress in cutting
down the woods, separating what will be useful,
and burning the rest. Almost every day since we
landed, we have been visited by an old queen
called Yamacopra, who does not appear to have
much power, though some of the natives show her
attention. She took tea with us this evening, and
contrived to steal a teaspoon. We missed it, and
she assisted us in looking for it A lady present.
who suspected her majesty, was determined to
observe her motions, and perceiving the spoon under
the queen's wrapping cloth, she pulled it out,
which gave her majesty much uneasiness, and she
took great pains to convince us it must have got
there by mistake. If the same thing had occurred

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 21

in a slave factory, the proprietors would have in-
sisted upon her paying one or two slaves, or their
value, to settle the palaver. b

'The people are now busily employed in cutting
materials to build a temporary store house. Many
of them have made some progress in building huts
for themselves, which form an extensive encamp-
ment open to the sea. The erecting a building to
hold stores is of the very first importance, and
cannot be dispensed with. Captain Cocks is en-
gaged in cutting out a road to wind up the hill at
the watering place, instead of the present steep and
inconvenient one. King Jemmy begins to lay aside
his fears, and disbelieves the insinuations of the
slave factors and other people inimical to us. At-
tended divine service, received the sacrament, several
children baptized. After the services of the day,
had a long and important conversation with the
Rev. N. Gilbert on the situation of the affairs in
the colony ; suggested the idea of his going to
England, to state in person to the directors the
real situation we are in. - Mr G-- highly approved
of my plan of giving the court of directors the
earliest and best information, but did not feel com-
fortable at the idea of leaving his religious duties
until another clergyman arrived in the colony. I
stated to him the utter impossibility of my enter-
ing into the details necessary for the directors' in-
formation, from the weak state of my health, and

22 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

my almost total loss of memory, and as he could
relate to them many transactions which occurred
under his own observation on board the //arpy
(which he knew led to the principal confusion in
the colony) and also the condnet pursued. on
board their shipping generally, with his opinion
of the characters of the people I had brought
with me, and other important matters relative
to the natives, climate, soil, etc., I thought, when
he reflected upon these citreumstances, he would
feel that it would be more for the benefit of the
cause he had embarked in, than his continuing in
the colony ; and, although I really regretted losing
his society, which had been a great. comfort to me,
yet I would willingly submit to that deprivation,
and do my best towards fulfilling his ministerial
duties during his absence, or till another clergy-
man arrived, if he would endeavour to remove
his scruples and comply with my request. . . .

St am informed the natives have much faith
in witehcraft, and are very superstitious. | The
devil is commonly worshipped, though they have
some imperfect idea of a God, whom they believe
to be so merciful and benevolent, that he could
not hurt them, or keep the devil in awe; and as
they suppose the latter to be always disposed to
do them mischiel, they endeavour to pacify him
by means of charms and trumpery sacrifices-they
say the devil is often seen amongst them, and

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 23

their sorcerers often perform feats in which they
pretend to his assistance. If a person is accused
of a crime, besides the trial by drinking the Red
Water, they have another equally just _ An iron,
steeped in the juice of certain herbs, is made red hot,
and passed quickly over the hands of the person sus-
pected. If the iron burns, he is pronounced guilty,
and sold for a slave. The land now cleared is five
hundred and sixty yards in length along the
shores, and two hundred yards in breadth. . . .

'I sent the Lapwing last night to Robanna Island,
to fetch King Naimbanna to the colony to hold a
palaver, and to negotiate for the purchase of the
Island of Tasso. I desired the captain of the Lapwing
to hoist a particular flag at his mast-head when he
returned if he had the king on board, that I might be
prepared to meet him. About eleven o'clock, seeing
the Lapwing coming down the river, with a flag at
her mast-head, I dressed myself and ordered one of
the Harpy's boats to be in readiness to take me to
the king before he reached the settlement. At noon
I went on board the Lapwing about two miles from
Free Town. When the people on board the Lapwing
first saw me coming they told the king, who had
laid himself doww=in the cabin. He immediately
rose and dressed himself in his best attire to receive
me. I had, previously to my leaving the settlement,
ordered the ships to salute, and give three cheers, as
we passed them, and also the whole population in the

24. GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

colony to be under arms to salute the king when he
landed. -I was induced to make the greatest parade
of our strength when paying the king a compliment,
that he and the chiefs with him might see that we
were prepared to defend ourselves, and could make a
formidable resistance. When the king came upon the
Lapwing's deck to be introduced to me, his dress was
a sky-blue silk jacket with silver lace, striped cotton
tfrowsers, ruffled shirt, green morocco slippers, a
cocked-hat with gold lace, and a white cotton cap, for
which a large old judge's wig was afterwards substi-
tuted. He had a belt round his neck from which
hung the figure of a lamb bearing a cross set with
rays formed of paste. I was dressed in a full-dress
Windsor uniform, with a brilliant star, etc., etc. Upon
the king's coming on deck we embraced each other.
He asked me how King George did, and said he was
a very good friend of his, that he was glad to see me,
and hoped we should be good friends. He appeared
greatly surprised when he first saw me, and could
scarcely keep from laughing, but he soon recovered,
by exclaming, " That he had never seen so young a
king before. , As we approached the colony, we
passed under the sterns of the company's vessels in
the harbour, each vessel saluting and cheering as we
passed. We could also distinctly hear the shouts
from the people on shore. When we had passed the
different vessels, we went on board the Amy to dine.
(The party consisted of myself and three or four of

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 25

the principal officers, the king, queen, and two of their
daughters, Signor Domingo, a chief who lives about
four miles up the river from Free Town, and a Mr
Elliott, the king's interpreter, who was formerly one
of Mr Granville Sharp's settlers The dinner was
very tedious and fatiguing, from my great anxiety to
show attention to my guests, and from being obliged
to speak through an interpreter. 'The king spoke
and understood a little English, but, on matters of
business, he always spoke through his interpreter.
In the evening he went on shore, the people being
drawn up in lines for us to pass through, when I
observed to the king, that I had called all my chil-
dren out to show him respect, and to assure him how
much we wished to be friendly, and to do all in our
power to benefit him and his country. That the king
and his attendants might see my strength, I desired,
after the whole colony had given three cheers, that
three distinct volleys should be fired, which had the
desired effect, for I plainly saw that they were not
only highly gratified at the attention shown them, but
equally convinced we had the means of protecting
ourselves. As we passed by a hut, I recollected we
had brought over an extremely old woman, who was
very desirous of laying her bones in her native
country, and I introduced her to the king. She was
blind, and had passed her 108th year. The king and
his attendants shook hands with her. After showing
many other little attentions, I took leave of the king

26 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

and returned on board the Amy so fatigued and
exhausted as to occasion strong hysterics. The king
and his party went to King Jemmy's town for the
fight. . . .

'March zyth. Thermometer before sunrise, in
general about 79 degrees.

t About one o'clock this morning a large baboon
entered one of the tents, and seized upon a girl about
twelve years of age, by the heel, and dragged her out
of the tent - Her cries alarmed a man who. was
sleeping in the same place, who immediately caught
hold of her arm, as the animal was raising her over
some planks at the entrance of the tent. A trial of
strength now took place between thenr; the baboon
endeavouring all in its power to carry off the girl, and
the man equally determined to prevent him. Some
assistance coming, the animal let go his hold, and ran
off into the woods. Upon relating this circumstance
to some of the natives, I have reason to believe, from
what they said, that the animal in question was a real
Orang-Outang ; as they informed me they often see
them in the woods, and always walking erect, about
the stature of a middle-sized man. (Great dissatisfac-
tion appears amongst the settlers, and many of them
begin to be very troublesome. The bad example set
them by the Europeans when they first landed, the
unfeeling manner in which they are often addressed,
the promiscuous intercourse with so many dissatisfied

GOVERMOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 27

sailors, and the old settlers, added to the many
inconveniences attending a new colony, and the
general sickness which at present prevails, may in
a great degree account for the irritability of temper,
and peevish disposition which it is painful for me to
observe amongst them. . . .

'I observed yesterday, when the king dined with
me, that the women did not sit at the same table as
the king ; and I also noticed, that, although the king
did not appear to pay any attention to the old
queen and her daughters, yet he seemed to like it
from others When we sat down to dinner; the
queen with her daughters and other attendants sat
down on the ground outside the tent. The king would
have sent them something on his own plate during
dinner, as he did yesterday, but as soon as we were
all placed, I arose and said grace. When I began to
help the first dish, I said to the king, "Now king, I
will show you my country fash," and immediately
sent the plate to the queen, and continued helping
the remainder of the females, which occasioned a
general laugh; but I evidently saw the king was
delighted with the attention. .

'The next subject was about the purchase of the
land, which one of the chiefs said we had no right to.
I replied, that, although they might not believe me,
yet I assured them I would never have come to
Africa to take their land without paying for it but
I was sure they all knew as well as myself that it

28 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

bad been regularly bought and paid for, and in
consequence, we were come to live amongst them,
in a peaceable way, with a determination on our part
to do all in our power to make them, their children,
and their country happy ; that our views were quite
different from Captain S , that, we wished to live
with them as brethren, and to render the strictest

 

justice to all ; that, as our intentions were peaceable,
we would endeavour all in our power never to give
them any cause for offence, and would be equally
slow in feeling anger towards them; and as they
knew we had ample means to defend ourselves from
any unjust attack, so would they find us resolute and
determined in doing ourselves justices upon every
occasion. | In reply, they wished to take advantage
of imny expression, "that our views were different
from those of Captain S--," and, in a round-about
way, endeavoured to show, that if we meant to go

1)

upon a new plan, we ought to make a new purchase,.
Finding that this was the time for closing the
business, I requested the king and chiefs to attend
to me whilst I read book. Having desired the
secretary to have in readiness the documents relative
to the purchase of the land, I desired them to be
handed to me, when I1 got up and, showed them all
the agreements for the purchase of the land, for
the King of England, siened by themselves, and
acknowledging the presents received in consideration.
This unexpected arrangement they could not over-

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 20

come, and I was determined to profit by it, by
beginning with one individual, and going through
with the whole:-The first person addressed was
King Jemmy. I asked him how he came to call such
a fool palaver as to want me to buy the land a
second time. I then read aloud the specific articles
he had received for his share, and showed his sig-
nature; and having done the same to every one
present who had received part of the purchase, I
said, "Suppose, king, you buy slave, and rice, and
you pay so many bar for slave, and so many bar for
rice at the time, and suppose the man you buy slave
of, and the man you buy rice of, come to you next
moon and ask you to pay for slave and rice again,
what would you call that?" They all exclaimed,
«Fool palaver" and burst out laughing, which ended
the business.

'This palaver lasted so long, that I had not time to
talk about purchasing the Island of Tasso, the soil
of which is rich, and equal to any in the West Indies,
fine rivulets, less rocky, and producing tall trees, and
less underwood, than our land ; only half of it be-
longs to King Naimbanna, the other half to King
Samma, on the Bullom shore. King Naimbanna has
promised to treat with me for his half, if King
Samma will do the same. . . .

«March 28th. This morning I sent Mr G. and Mr
W. in the Lapwing to negotiate with King Samma

30 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

for his half of the Island of Tasso. They took with
them the necessary presents. A black man brought
me King Naimbanna's snuff box; but could not ex-
plain his errand. , We thought, at first, his majesty
wanted snuff, although it contained already plenty
of Scotch ; but as the ambassador had brought a jar
in which he wanted some rum, we comprehended at
last that the king had sent the box as a token that
the man had come from him, and might be en-
trusted with the liquor. I soon alter received a
Rote from the king, signed by E. G., his secretary,
requesting to have a dozen of wine and a jar of
liquor. As the king and so many of the chiefs, with
their attendants, were still on a visit to King Jemmy,
I thought I would take this opportunity of making
them a present nearly equal to their demand for
the purchase of the land, to show them it was not
the money that I looked to in refusing to acknow-
ledge their claim, but that I did not choose to sub-
mit to an unjust demand. Understanding from the
number of people assembled that liquor was the
principal article in demand, I complied with their
wishes, in sending them a great proportion of that
article for my Dask. It was in vain for me to
attempt to moralize at such a time as the present,
when the whole population at King Jemmy's town
might be said to be in a state of intoxication. I
wished to conciliate, and to impress them with
favourable feelings towards us, in hopes of securing

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 31

their confidence and goodwill, while so many of
them from different parts of the country were as-
sembled together' after the tedious and interesting
palaver of yesterday. We were perfect strangers to
each other ; we had a great object in view, and, much
as I abhorred the depravity of their conduct, I knew
it would be in vain to expect to make much im-
pression upon old and deep-rooted habits. It was
the rising generation we were to look to for any
moral improvement, and as it is my determination
to take every opportunity of setting the whole
colony and the natives a good example in my own
conduct, I think it most advisable, in the present
state of the colony, to endeavour all in my power
to win the natives in their own» way, so as to secure
a peaceable footing in the country, and to do this
as far as I can, without losing sight of every season-
able and proper opportunity of reprobating proceed-
ings which militate against our professions. Many
of the people are getting forward with their huts.
They are to be built in regular streets, and called
after the twelve directors ; but there is still a great

deal of ground to be cleared before the town can
be laid out. . . .

«March 29th. There is so much confusion and
mismanagement in the colony, that I am using
every exertion to forward the sailing of the Felicity
with Mr G. The working-parties are seldom

32 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

attended as they ought to be, and the slightest
indisposition is an excuse for neglect in every de-
partment. The consequences of this neglect, if not
checked, must produce habits inimical to the best
interests of the colony. . . .

''The rainy season now announces its approach,
by a cloudy sky covering the tops of the moun-
tains. Some trees in this country have the peculiar
property of letting down from their top branches
very straight shoots without leaves, which take root
upon reaching the ground. Thus a tall tree is on
all sides tied down, as it were by cables, so that
no tornado can shake it This renders the woods
impenetrable from the number of strong tendrils
and twigs which interweave themselves amongst
the shoots and trees When a tree is cut down or
wounded and exposed to the sun, the sap that leaks
from it is gummy or resinous. .

'The ladies in the colony,. by their mutual jeal-
ousies and absurd notions of their rank and conse-
quence, give rise to many private piques, which
offen cause open dissensions amongst the gentle.
men, and the mischief they have occasioned from
the time the ships left the Downs to the present
day cannot be estimated. . . .

'This evening King Naimbanna left King Jemmy's
and returned to his own town on Robanna Island.
At about eight or nine o'clock several guns were
heard from King Jemmy's town. We afterwards

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 33

learned that this firing was in consequence of
certain religious ceremonies they performed. King
Jemmy (the successor of King Tom, who was King
Naimbanna's predecessor, though he lived here on
account of the great trade he carried on) is only
a vassal of King Naimbanna's, and temporary pro-
tector of this and a few other towns, till a cousin
of the latter is old enough to take possession of
them. Young men are never made kings in this
uncivilised part of the world. . . .

«March 30th. Provisions are getting very short,
and unless we have a speedy supply, the dissatis-
faction in the colony will increase. The council
are daily seeing the dreadful confusion existing
through their means with apparent indifference. I
have this day again offered to take the whole exe-
cutive power upon myself, subjecting myself to ac-
count to them once a month in council; but they
insist upon nothing being done but in council, and
according to their pleasure. Thus, after command-
ing and countermanding each other on every subject,
nothing is done. . . .

'The people called the old settlers, were originally
the black poor in and about London, who had been
collected together and fed by the bounty of Mr
Granville Sharp, in the year 1786, and afterwards
sent out to Sierra Leone, in hopes that they would
be able by industry to support themselves and

C

34 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

families better than in England, They left Eng-
land in the year 1787, in the ship Myro, accom-
panied by His Majesty's sloop Nawfi/us, Captain
Thomson, who landed them at Sierra Leone, after
purchasing from the natives a district along the
river of nearly twenty miles square. Captain Thom-
son assisted them in raising their huts; and having
protected them, and given them provisions to support
them till they could obtain some by their own in-
dustry, he left them,. He had not been gone long
before they began to quarrel with each other; and
although Mr Sharp had drawn up for them a most
excellent and simple form of government, yet they
became disorderly, and disliked restraint so much,
that confusion generally prevailed, which, added to
great sickness, occasioned a considerable mortality.
They were recovering a little from their disorder,
had a good stock of poultry, and were getting a
tolerably good living, when Captain Savage, of His
Majesty's ship Pomona, and Captain B--, of Bunce
Island, quarrelled with King Jemmy, and burnt his
tovn King Jemmy, to revenge himself for the
injury he had sustained, gave the settlers notice,
after the Pomona had left the river, that, as King
George had destroyed his town, he should destroy
theirs, but gave them three days' notice, that they
might leave it before they made the attack, which
they accordingly did, and fled for protection to Bunce
Island and other places in the neighbourhood. Last

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 35

year Mr Falconbridge, our commercial agent, made
a voyage in the Lapwing cutter, by desire of the
directors of the Sierra Leone Company, just then
established, to endeavour to learn something about
them, and to render them some assistance. He
collected together about seventy or eighty persons,
and placed them on a spot called Fora Bay, about
three miles up the river, where they built themselves
huts, and called the place Granville Town, in honour
of their patron, Mr Granville Sharp, and where I
found them on my arrival.

When the old settlers were first mentioned to me,
the person who did it gave them so infamous a char-
acter, and pointed out so many instances of depravity,
that I was quite disgusted with them ; and, having
my mind continually harassed with the wants, diffi-
culties and distresses of a new colony, and also ob-
serving the Nova Scotians declining in character,
from the bad example set them, which I in part
attributed to the old settlers, I was led, by the multi-
plicity of applications at the time, to give the answer
I did to Signor D--; but when I reflect upon the
consequences which might have attended such a
relinquishment of them, I tremble at the thoughts
of it, as I ought to have weighed the many diffi-
culties they must have experienced, the great disad-
vantages they laboured under in every point of view,
and their defenceless state, by their numbers being
so much reduced by sickness, rather than have

36 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

so inconsiderate reply to such a man as Signor
D ~-. I will, however, endeavour to repair my
faults by attending to their situation. . .

April ast, Divine Serumet on shore. Whe Nova
Scotians are very anxious to have their lots of
land laid ont, which it is not in my power to com-
ply with, from the general confusion in the colony,
the state of the weather, and many other obstacles.
@On all occasions they come to me to make their
complaints, and I feel a particular happiness in
being able to quiet all their apprehensions, compose
their minds, and reconcile them to the conduct of
individuals against whom I have now and then com-
_| plaints. - It is truly gratifying to see the full attend-
~" ance and orderly behaviour of the Nova Scotians
at public worship, and delightful to hear them
sing, particularly that hymn so applicable to their
present situation, " The year of Jubilee is come,"
ete: :. .
If putrid fevers do not break out amongst us, un-
sheltered as we are from the rain, crowded, and living
upon salt provisions, it will be owing to a particular
interposition of Providence. Nothing made of steel
can be preserved from rust. Knives, scissors, keys,
ete., look like old, rusty iron. Our watches are
spoiled by rust, and laid aside useless. The atmo-
sphere is so very humid, from the strong exhalations
caused by the heat after the rain, that anything of

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 37

linen put by for a time must be frequently aired lest
it should mould -and rot.. . . .

© None of the natives of these nations (calling them-
selves free nations) are sold for slaves, unless for
gross crimes. The slaves exported from hence are
few, and come from the most interior parts. The
slaves here, we observe, call their master and mistress
father and mother. The way the slaves are secured in
their journey is by pinioning them, and hanging a loose
wooden hoop round their necks, to catch them by
if they should try to run away. King Naimbanna,
when formerly dealing in slaves, used to send away
about 100 annually. King Jemmy has not property
enough to carry on any great trade; Signor D
sells more. The King of Shebra. or Shebro, is Ning
Naimbanna's brother, very rich and powerful, has a
large standing army, and a vast extent of country, of
which he is the despot, but a good man. The language
about Sierra Leone (not the Bullom Shore or Sherbrfo)
is called the Timmaney. The Timmaney people
were formerly an inland nation, and the Quiers pos-
sessed this country ; but some generations back the
Quiers, having given offence to the Timmaneys, and
impeded their trade, which passed through their
country, the Timmaneys made war, expelled or
destroyed all the Quiers, and killed their king. Ihe
shattered remains took refuge behind Cape Sierra
Leone, near Sherbro, and live there now.. The
Timmaney general was made King of Sierra Leone,

 

sA

38 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

and when the Timmaney King up the country died
he united both kingdoms. . . .

(April 8th (Easter Day) -Divine service. Four
children baptized ; also the other Sacrament adminis-
fered. I still feel greatly fatigued if I am obliged
to talk much, and the people, knowing this, have of
late stated all their wants and grievances by letter.
These have now become very frequent, in conse-
quence of the deplorable condition the colony is in.
from the unfinished state of the huts, the tornado
season fast approaching, and sickness more or less
prevailing throughout the settlement. Alter church
this morning, as I was retiring from the tent, several
of these letters were siven to me, which I put into
my pocket with an intention to read when I had an
opportunity and could attend to them. Being much
fatigued when J got on board the Aw:v, and dinner
being nearly ready, 1 did not feel disposed to open
any of them till that was over The first I took out
of my pocket was the following :-

'" DEAR SIR,- Your Excellency's Honor will
excuse if that you please the neglect of your humble
servant, if that the matter I now communicate to you
has already reached your knowledge, of the people
rising, of divisions and fictions, and going to elect
Mr P-- as their governour, and to petition the
Honourable Company at home for that purpose ; if
that it has reached your Honor's knowledge, you are

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 39

already armed against their efforts, and excuse your
humble servant if that you are not I hope that
these few lines will put you on your guard, although
I write with a trembling hand, for I know not how to
conduct myself at present ; and if that my name
should come to their ears, and denied your protec-
tion, my situation is bad. The Preston people have
no hand in the affair at all, but they mean to
stand fast by your Honor, and abide by the conse-
quences. So that we subscribe ourselves your Excel-
lency's humble servants and faithful friends,

t* J. H., J. W.

'" N.B.-We rely on your Honor that our names

may be a secret, as we know not but our lives are
a 35
depending.

'As soon as I had read this letter, I went on shore,
and that no time might be lost, I called upon Mr
P--, one of the council, on my way to the centre of
the town, and desired the great bell to be rung imme-
diately to summon all the settlers together They
soon assembled, officers and people, not knowing
what was the matter, and many of them appeared
much agitated. I placed myself under a great tree,
and, addressing myself to P--, I said it was probable
either one or other of us would be hanged upon that
tree before the palaver was settled, and, holding up
the letter, I stated the purport of it, at the same time
observing, that I should always consider those who

40 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

sent it to me as the best men in the place, and I
hoped to be able, before I had done, to satisfy the
whole colony that they ought to feel the greatest
obligation to them for having put me on my guard,
that I might face the business manfully, and rescue
them and their posterity from the inevitable ruin
which must take place, if they suffered themselves to
be influenced by such pernicious counsels. Many
asked me to name those who had written the letter.
I instantly put it into my pocket and said, that whilst
I had life their names should never be disclosed, but
that I should never forget their exemplary conduct.
I then called to their remembrance the many and
great sacrifices I had made, and was daily making, to
promote their happiness, and referred them to the
whole of my conduct towards them since I had
known them, and asked if they thought (mentioning
the intimation I had received) that their conduct
could be justified towards me. I entered into a detail
of the consequences of the step they had taken, show-
ing them that it was serious in point of law, as well
as ruinous in every other point of view, as respecting
their affairs, had it been put into execution. I recalled
to their recollection the vast sums of money the
Sterta Leone Company had expended upon them,
although they were perfect strangers to them ; the
great anxiety of the company to make use of them
as instruments to spread the blessings of Christianity
through the wretched heathen nations of this vast

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY 41

continent, the gratitude they ought to feel at being
permitted to be the happy individuals in so blessed
a work, and endeavoured to press upon their minds
the criminality of their conduct, if, after all that had
been done for them, they could for a moment doubt
the sincerity of the Sierra Leone Company's views.
I then pointed out to them the misery they must
suffer if they allowed the demon of discord to gain a
footing amongst them, that they would thereby entail
misery and guilt upon themselves and their posterity,
defeat all the good ends now within their reach, and
blast (for a time at least) every prospect of bettering
the condition of the black population throughout the
world. The settlers explained the matter thus : They
had now, and expected to have still more, subjects to
speak upon to the Governor, they would not all of
them trouble him, and for that reason they had chosen
Thomas Feters, their chief speaker, or. chairman, as
it was by his interference and interest they were
removed from Nova Scotia, and 132 had signed a
paper of this purport, dated the 23rd March, which
paper Peters had intended last night to have put into
the Governor's hands. They declared they had no
other view than to relieve the Governor from the
fatigue of so many applications, and expressed their
sorrow that he should have taken it up so warmly ;
but that they hoped he would see it in a different
light, for that, they assured him, they had been most
grossly misrepresented. The alarm and agitation

t"

42 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

being so great, I found it no easy matter to persuade
them they were in the wrong. However, after arguing
with them a long time, they at last gave way, and
with the liveliest feelings of gratitude and respect,
they expressed themselves extremely hurt at what
had passed, and promised all and everything I desired,
begging of me, with all the tenderness imaginable
(some of them with tears), not to expose myself any
longer to the evening air, as they observed I was
much fatigued with talking to them, and they feared
it would materially injure me. I was very glad to close
the business with this explanation, for had matters
appeared stronger against Peters, I should not have
known what to have done with him. He is a man of
great penetration and cunning, and from the attention
shown to him in England, he thinks himself vastly
superior to his countrymen. I cannot bring myself
to believe he had any real intention of endeavouring
to assume the government, for on looking over the
address I see such names attached to it as I am sure
would never have joined him in so ruinous an enter-
prise. However, 1 shall feel it my duty not only to
keep an eye on him myselt, but also to Have his
actions watched and reported to me in private. Some
of the men who signed the paper begged me to bear in
mind that the Nova Scotians are naturally suspicious
and easily alarmed ; that they have been deceived and
ill-treated through life, and hearing from the council
that they are the governors, and at the same time not

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 43

having a favourable opinion either of their wisdom or
tenderness, and seeing no probability of getting their
lands, they began to think they should be served the
same as in Nova Scotia, which unsettled their minds;
and made them suspect everything and everybody.
A lamentable occurrence took place in consequence
of this palaver. A young woman seeing me land and
walk at an unusual pace up the hill, and hearing the
great bell ring immediately afterwards, was so fright-
ened, knowing her husband had signed the paper for
Peters' appointment, that she was taken with strong
convulsions and soon after expired. After I had left
the meeting, a few of Peters' adherents turned their
resentment against the persons suspected of having
given me the information, which, added to a misunder-
standing between the Methodists and Anabaptists,
kept the minds of the colonists in great agitation ; but
the constables being vigilant, gave notice to the magi-
strates in the tent, and Mr P-- went and saw the
parties separated, when all remained quiet for the
night.. Later in the evening, H. B., a Methodist
preacher, and Clerk of the Established Church, who
had taken a conspicuous part in the palaver, called
at the Gentlemen's Tent.. It took some time to con-
vince him that their proceedings were irregular, and
he appeared hurt to think that he should be suspected
of acting contrary to law. He persisted in thinking
it wrong for so many people to tease the governor
as they had done, upon the most trifling occasions,

44 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'$ DIARY

and thought the plan proposed would have prevented
it, but if the part he had taken from the purest motives
had given offence, he expressed his sorrow for it,
assuring the gentlemen of his great anxiety to pre-
serve the peace, and to gain the good opinion of the
Covernment. . . .

'It is reported that King Naimbanna will prohibit
the slave trade in his dominions. He went the night
before last to the Gambia Islands to remonstrate with
Monsieur R--, the trader, on the subject, and to as-
sert that he would no more have slave trade in his
country ; that he would go. to Bunce Island and do
the same to the trader there, and hereafter make his

people learn book. By chance Mr F--- was at
Gambia, and relates a manceuvre made use of by
R-- to suit the mind of the old king. He pre-

sented him with a silver-hilted sword, and told him
the puncheon of rum he saw was intended for him:
and that he should have it the next day ; this made
such an impression on the king, that he forgot his
resolution, and the slave trade will probably con-
«oue. . . .

April vith. According to a general notice given
to the settlers yesterday, the whole of them as-
sembled this morning at the tent to have their names
registered afresh, and sign an instrument purporting,
that whilst they reside in this colony, they will live
obedient to its laws, which will be made conformable

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 45

to those in England, as far as local circumstances will
permit. Myself and the members of the council
signed this deed first, and afterwards the officers,
clerks, ctc. 'The people were called over according
to the companies formed for their embarkation. At
this interview I had an opportunity of correcting
and confirming the returns made to me relative to
the deaths to this period. The account will stand as
follows. Total number. of deaths from the time we
formed the people into companies at Halifax, 112. . ..

 

Total number of men embarked at Halifax .- 385
Dead to this period *>. a > eos is
Remains s & R . ~" 330
Men qualified for particular trades _ . '+ Toz

Labourers acquainted with all tropical produc-
tion . i a + & "127
Porters at wharfs and general labourers : 8T
330

 

Of men qualified for particular trades there were :- \/

Brought forward, - 20

Blacksmiths . 8 Bricklayers _. > /* "3
Bakers . 4 Brick and Tile Makers . - 2
Broom Makers 1 Block Maker I
Basket Makers 3 Carpenters 27
Brewers I Coopers II
Butchers # Caulkers a as.
Braziers = I Cooks . h A
Carry forward, 20 Carry forward, 71

/ mca

46 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

Brought forward, 71 Brought forward, 137
Chimney Sweeper . I Shipwrights . §
Fishermen b te Shoe Makers . s '' 10
Gardeners - . 4 s $ Sail Maker |. . ( f
Hairdressers . 2 Sailors . 2
Pot Ash Maker I Tailors . 5
Pilots wis # 'Tabher . I
*Sawyers | . % Weavers 2
Shingle Maker $ s I Wine Cooper . I

Carry forward, 137 Total. 162

'These men were also capable of cultivating the
land and of general husbandry.

Births since embarkation s R .< fq

'Many of the women could spin, weave, and were
good laundresses ; one or two were midwives, and
three or four were capable of keeping a school for
children. . . .

(April 12th. Nothing particular occurred this day.
Visited the different parts of the intended town ; am
sorry to see so many huts in an unfinished state.
The people complain of the great labour it occasions
to bring the poles, raliters and thatch for so many
houses from the distance they are obliged to go tor
it. a...

'It is distressing to me to see the poor Nova
Scotians (who look up to me as their best friend) in
their present deplorable state, their houses not
covered in, sickness generally prevailing, and many

* These men could turn their hands to many useful employments,
such as carpenters, etc.

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 47

of them appearing scorbutic. They related to me all
their grievances and wants, but from the situation
of the colony it is not in my power to comply with
many of their requests. I am additionally plagued
and perplexed at the inconsiderate conduct of some
of the council who, though they do not openly
contradict what I may have ordered for the good of
the colony, yet they appear to thwart my measures
in various ways. . .

'As the conduct of the seamen of the company's
vessels had been extremely incorrect and untoward,
declaring that, if I offered to punish them, they would
resist, and as it has been a constant habit with them
to abuse the settlers, to call them black rascals, and
to use other insulting and degrading expressions,
highly injurious to the colony, and extremely offensive
to the Nova Scotians, I mean to take this opportunity,
to use an African expression, to settle the " palaver"
with them. For this purpose I have ordered captain
R-- to be on shore to attend the trial of his men at
eight o'clock to-morrow morning, and the same order
has been issued to the captains and as many of the
seamen as can be spared from the other vessels, to
attend on shore to-morrow at eleven o'clock. . . .

'I now shortly addressed the Nova Scotians, upon
the necessity of their being firm to support their privi-
leges, and to protect their families, and told them
that, unless we could ensure a proper subordination
in every department of the colony, it wonld be

48 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

impossible for us to succeed. I declared that it was
far from my desire to make any distinction between
black and white. On the contrary, I wished them to
consider each other as brethren, requiring mutual
kindnesses from each other in their present arduous
situation, and no part of their conduct would be more
gratifying to me than to see them endeavour to
lighten each other's hardships by a conciliatory and
Christian-like conduct. I1 assured them. that the
declarations of the directors of the Sierra Leone Com-
pany, as to their civil rights, I should most scrupulously
attend to, and trusted that every officer in the colony
would be equally alive to perform their duty on that
head, agreeably to the private as well as public instruc-
tions they had received respecting it. I now turned
to the prisoners, and began by declaring, that the task
I was going to perform was most painful to me ; but
when I considered the extent of their crime, particu-
larly in an infant colony, the consequences likely to
attend such conduct, if not timely checked, when I
looked at the vast Continent of Africa, its immense
population, its extreme darkness as to religious truths,
and the great probability there was of greatly amelior-
ating their condition through the means of this colony,
if it were once permitted to be established, I had no
© alternative but to enforce those laws which my situa-
tion authorised me to do," as the only means likely to
ensure the present and future happiness of the colony,
the prosperity of the Sierra Leone Company, and

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 49

probably at some future period, the civilisation and
general happiness of this vast continent.

'April 20h. Last night a violent tornado. | This
evening went on board the Fe/icity to pass the night.
I had not finished all my letters, and, having much
to say to Mr Gilbert, I wished fo be with him as
much as possible to the last moment of his departure ;
and being anxious to get some fresh stock for the
voyage, I determined to go with him to the Bananas.
I have ordered the Lapwing to accompany them, to
take me back from the Fe/zcity to the Settlement.

'April 2st - Early this morning the Felicity
weighed in company with the Lapwing. The wind
failing, we did not arrive at the Bananas to-day, but
the Lapwing arrived and anchored. The passengers
by the Felicity were LMeutenant RN., the Rev,

 

 

N. G j Mc and Mrs H-- of the medical
department, and Captain C--, recommended by
Captain B P

'April 224. Anchored this morning off Cleve-
land's lown ; went on shore. - C-- not at home:
These islands are described as the Paradise of
Africa. The soil in many places appeared but in-
different. The island is about six miles long; and
about one mile broad. 'Towards the west it is
almost joined to another island of high ground. At

D

50 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

low water it is fordable from the one to the other.
This island is in like manner joined to a third.
These islands are about a league distant from Cape
Shilling, and large ships may sail between them and
the continent, although they find it difficult at
Gertain seasons to lie at anchor. C--, the pre-
sent owner of the Bananas, is a Mulatto, and grand-
son of the white man C ; the first owner of
that name. These C--'s have always been sup-
posed to be vassals of King Naimbanna, but think
themselves, and act like, sovereigns of those islands
and part of the opposite continent. They have
Always carried on a great trade in slaves; the pre-
sent owner is said to expend fifty puncheons of rum
annually in giving drams and treating the negroes,
who come to him on business. Another white trader

 

(B--) now lives here by C--'s permission, and
divides the trade with him, on condition that he does
not attempt to interfere with C--'s favourite trade

in the Sherbro country. We saw here a number
of quondam white clerks, doctors, etc., all ghastly-
looking creatures. - B--, like other great traders, has
his factories all over the coast, and is supposed, in
eight or ten years, to have made a fortune of £20,000.
This man has strongly urged me to establish a plan-
tation, with C--'s permission, on these islands, or on
the continent, highly praising the fitness of the soil,
but my hands are too full to attempt such a thing at
present. All the captains of the slave vessels, which

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY $1

we found in the roads, show me great attention, and
talk in the same strain as B--; but their principles
being so much at variance with ours, I paid but little
attention to their advice. .One, Captain C of the
America, took great pains to please me, and although
I acknowledged his attention by a general suavity of
manners, yet I was determined not to be too familiar
with him, which he soon perceived, and stuck close
to Captain C-- who, I am sorry to observe, was not
equally upon his guard, and, in consequence, placed
me in such a situation as to put it out of my power to
to-morrow. Finding

 

 

refuse dining with Captain C
myself extremely fatigued, I retired to a sofa, and,
shortly after, two female slaves were sent to fan me
while I slept, but the very idea of having slaves " to
fan me while I sleep, and tremble when I wake,"
prevented me from enjoying that repose, which I
should otherwise have done. I fear we shall not be
able to get much supply of stock at the Bananas,
and I cannot keep the Felicity to wait for the chance
of getting more from other places.

'April 23d. Went to dine on board the America,
Captain C
not been on board long before my feelings were put
to the torture, in consequence of Captain C-- malk-

 

, much against my inclination ; and I had

ing presents of goats and provisions of all sorts to the

passengers of the Fe/zeity. The passengers received

them with pleasure, and I with pain, as Captain C--
P pain,

52 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

would not be paid for them. He told me he was at

variance with King Jenny; that Ring Jemmy,
though pretending to be our friend, was not so.; that
he and all his people had lately assembled at the
Devil's house, making sacrifices to him, with the
ceremonies usual on grand occasions, and all this in
order to secure his interest to help us out of the
country ; and he evidently took pains to convince us
of the great antipathy the natives have to us, though
apparently our friends. - B-- told us the same yes-
terday. I1 was very uneasy during the whole time I1
was on board the America, on many accounts ; but it
was perhaps fortunate that I was there to serve as a
check to certain giddy persons.

'April sath. Having settled everything with Mr
Gilbert, and with Captain M-- of the Felicity,
I closed my despatches, and the /z/zcity and the
Lapwing got under weigh, and stood to sea.

'I remained on board the Fz/scity till near dark,
when I took my leave and went on board the
Lapwing, gave the schooner three cheers in the boat,
the same from the Lapwing, which, being returned
from the Peet}, we wished them a short aud
pleasant voyage, and departed ; we for the colony,

and she stood out to sea.

© " fe Henty Thornton, Esq, Chairman of the Court
of Directors of the Sierra Leone Company.

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 53

5 "* SIERRA LEONE, April 18, 1792.

< " My DEAR SiI®,-I wrote to you three weeks ago,
by a vessel bound to Bristol, mentioning my arrival
at Sierra Leone. I was then too ill to write at
length, and even now I find myself so far from
well that I have thought it absolutely necessary to
the company's service to despatch Mr Gilbert to
England, to make those representations to you in
person, which I am utterly incapable of doing in the
manner I could wish without great injury to my health.
For all particulars, therefore, I refer you to him. A
mere general idea of the state of things here, and my
opinion of them, is all I shall attempt to give you
myself. Had you appointed a council, invested with
such powers as are given to the gentlemen whom you
have sent out, three or four years hence, after the
colony had been well settled, and everything going
on well, no inconvenience might have arisen: but.
in the present state of things, such a measure appears
to me most improper, The present consequences
are confusion and disorder; and the future, if not
prevented by a speedy alteration, will, I fear, be ruined.
Eight sentlemen, all invested with great powet,
each of them acting from himself, and none of them
accountable to the other, form to be sure, a sys-
tem of government, as pregnant with contradictions
and inconsistencies as can be imagined ; in such
a government there can be nothing but tardiness

54. GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

in counci!. and obstruction in all its operations. It
wants secrecy, and is destitute of energy and vigour.
I have said each of these gentlemen acts from him-
self - You will be ready to say, ' No, they have only
a joint authority, and separately can do nothing.,
So it may seem in the theory. but in the fact it is not
so. neither can be so. Would you have a council,
for instance, to meet every time a package is wanted
from the ships? All our time, then, would be spent
in deliberations ; the gentlemen must every moment
be called off from the business of their respective
departments. - The same reason holds in a thousand
other instances, and hence, a great deal of inevitable
confusion. One orders this thing, and another that;
one does not know what the other does. The people
are perplexed with the multitude of governors, and
scarcely know whom to obey. Waste, losses, etc.,
occur, for want of that sort of regularity, which one
man, seeing at a glance the business of every other
department, would be able to establish, but which
many, for want of proper knowledge and observation
cannot, and from motives of delicacy towards each
other, will not do. You may be ready, likewise, to
controvert my other assertion, that the gentlemen
are not accountable to each other. You will say.
that there is no one of them authorised to call the
rest to account, yet, that a council may do it. I
grant it; 'but then I again ask, would you have a
council formally summoned to take notice of every

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 35

impropriety that may occur in the conduct of each
of its members? Great improprieties they ought
and no doubt would notice, but little ones, though
big, perhaps, with the most pernicious future con-
sequences, must pass without inquiry, and without
censure. Had I had that confidence placed in me
by' the company, which I must say I had some
reason to expect, such arrangements should have
been made immediately upon my arrival as would
have preserved the colony in the same good order
in which I brought the blacks from Nova Scotia.
Every man in his department would have given
me in a daily report. Exact accounts 'of all ex-
penditure should have been kept. | Every: article
brought on shore from the ships should have been
landed by my order. Every instance of misconduct
in the officers of the company to the natives or the
settlers should have received a timely check. Order
and regularity, in short, should have pervaded the
whole system of your affairs here, and you should
have had such accounts transmitted to you as would
have put the whole as completely under your view
as if you were on the spot. If it be considered in
what manner I collected the people together in
Nova Scotia, in spite of all the resistance I met with
from the gentlemen of the country ; the good order in
which I kept them for several weeks at Halifax,
previous to their embarkation, and for which I had
the thanks of the President and council, the arrange-

56 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

ments I made for their accommodation during the
passage ; for preserving peace and harmony between
them and the crews of the different vessels, as well
as among themselves; in consequence of which all
disorders were prevented, or, as soon as they
appeared, were suppressed, and both the captains
and the passengers spoke on their arrival here in the
highest terms of each other; add to this the influence
I have by such conduct, and by uniformly behaving
towards them with kindness and integrity, aquired
over the minds of all those I brought with me, and
I trust you will not think me arrogant in assuming
so much, as I may have seemed to have done in
these assertions. You know me too well to suspect
me of wishing for power from any other motive than
that only of being able to carry into effect all the
views of the company, and to realise to these people,
who have come hither on the faith of my professions,
all that I had given them reason to expect, and. that
in the speediest and most effectual manner. This
I confidently pronounce, will not, and cannot be
done upon your present system of government.
Nothing is done according to my views, and I have
no authority to alter what I disapprove. The people
ate murmuring and discontented, and. I am fretting
and wearing myself out to no effect. Fainting and
hysteric fits frequently close the mortifications of
the day, through the nervous and debilitated state in
which my late illness has left me, from the effects of

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY $7

which it is impossible I should ever recover while
things continue as they ate. Give me authority,
and if it does not come too late, I will pledge
myself to remedy the whole. If you do not, my
resolution is fixed, I must return home, and seek, in
the reflections of my own mind, that consolation
which, had it been in my power as much as it is
in my inclination, I should have hoped to emjoy
in promoting the comfort and happiness of your
colony, and carrying into execution those benevol-
ent ends, which the company had in contemplation in
the establishment of it. Neither my health, memory,
or engagements, as I said before, will allow me to
enter into those details which I could have wished ;
for those, therefore, I must refer you to Mr Gilbert
and Mr W--, who are fully possessed of my senti-
ments, and will be able to lay before you, as circum-
stantially as I could write, all that you will desire to
be informed of,. Here I meant to have concluded
my letter, but two or three things struck me as of
so much importance. that 1 cannot but mention
them in as short a way as possible With respect
to the climate, I fear nothing ; it is too warm, to be
sure, to be perfectly pleasant, but I see no probability
of its being unhealthy, unless it be made so by the
imprudence and vicious conduct of the inhabitants.
Dr B-- is an instance of this, whose death, a regard
to truth and the interest of this colony compels me
to say, was entirely the consequence of excessive

58 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

drinking, and can in no degree whatever be attri-
buted to the climate. It was my determination, had
fhe to have sent. him home, to prove to the
company and the colony my inviolable attachment
in every instance to their interest.

'" You appear to have been cheated in every depart-
ment-ships, stores and cargo. - Very few of the things
of any kind are near what they ought to be for the
money they cost you. . .

t*Pray let no more captains who have passengers,
bring out their wives. Be very circumspect whom
you suffer to come out in future, either as settlers of

_//artificers. Those already here, as well black as white,
are too generally immoral, tdle, discontented, un-
governable people, whose example and conduct has
done us much harm already, and I fear will do much
more. . .

'* Where is no man for whom I have a more perfect
respect than Mr Sharp, but he has allowed his good-
fess to be most sadly imposed upon. The black
people he sent out, have, generally speaking, so bad a
character, that we are afraid to trust them among us,.
I have once tried them, but was obliged to turn
them all out of the colony, and threaten to flog the
first that returned. But I have since received a peti-
tion from them, begging to be favoured with another
trial, and I mean to grant it, though I shall judge it
prudent to keep them for a time in suspense. . . .

I should stay here,. and we should continue

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY 50

going on as we have done, I can never have a hope
of sesing England. If I leave these good people
before they are comfortably settled, I should never
be happy, fearing the consequences that might ensue.
In short, I am this hour come to the determination
not: to remain here in my present situation.. If I
could see a probability of success, I call God to wit-
ness, who knows the secrets of the heart, that I should
rejoice to lay down my life to accomplish the wishes
of the Sierra Leone Company.. , I consider that
millions of our fellow-creatures, who are now miser-
able and in a state of barbarism, may be made happy,
both here and hereafter, should our wishes be crowned
with success, and, therefore, I must desire you to look
out for some person to relieve me, and I will promise
to stay one whole year to assist him in getting your
colony in order. - I will pledge myself, if he will con-
duet himself properly, to get him. as much estcemed
as myself; but he must be absolute. I think your
colony would stand a better chance. of succeeding by
taking such a step, because I could do more good as
a private individual than in a public line. 'In the first
place, from not having that great anxiety and charge
upon me, I-should experience better health,; and
while your superintendent and the rest of your officers
were engaged in commerce, I could gratify my feel-
ings in looking after the morals of the people. I
could have more time to visit the natives and. the
coast; to make my observations on everything that

60 CGOYVERNOR CLARKSONS DIARY

might be useful; and, in short, if you can find out a
good, conscientious and religious man, who is known
to have method in everything he undertakes, I think
you should immediately send him out. If you make
your intentions public you will have a thousand
applications ; but, I think, from your acquaintances you
might select a person of the description I have men-
tioned. He must have a proper sense of religion, and he
must not be too hasty in anything he undertakes.
When he has made up his mind he must be firm, to
keep up his consequence among the natives and his
own people. He must set an example himself in
everything that is virtuous, or he can never punish
with propriety. In his punishments he must begin
with moderation, and, what is of greater consequence
than anything I have said, he must be very particular
in his manner of addressing the people, for their feel-

H

ings ate soon hurt. . . .

'ln the colony, wun? makes tapid strides; the
rainy season fast approaches With hunger comes
mutiny-who can convince an empty belly ? or say
to the hungry man, be satisfied ?

'King Naimbanna and several native chiefs paid
me a visit this afternoon The fatigue and un-
pleasantness of such a visit is not to be described.
So many people jabbering together, others speaking
to you through an interpreter, and the whole drinking
to excess. My continued fear of giving them offence

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 61

and not being at all satisfied at the appearance of
sanctioning such proceedings, made me extremely
il -for the night. - The- officers take good care to
retire from such scenes when their inclination leads
them, but I have all these weighty anxieties to con-
tend with, and am obliged to stay till the last | I
make it a rule to be as circumspect as possible in
my conduct upon every occasion, that the natives
may never see an inconsistency in my deportment ;
and, although I am fearful of refusing them liquor
when they come to see me, yet, whenever I have a
suitable opportunity, I never lose it, in pointing out
to them the fatal consequences of drinking to excess ;
but I feel the absolute necessity of beating for a time
with their deep-rooted prejudices and customs as
the only way to secure their friendship towards us. .
I, this day, commenced the important duties of
minister to the colony. I promised Mr Gilbert that,
while I had health, the duties of the Church should
not be neglected, and as the Bishop of Nova Scotia
had made me a present (to use his own expression) of
good Bishop Wilson's sermons, I read one of them.
I had a very numerous and attentive congregation,
and, although greatly fatigued with the service, yet
the gratification I felt was more than equivalent to
any unpleasant sensation I experienced in the per:
formance of the duty for the first time. . . .

'In, the. evening I met the people by appointment.
I began by telling them that I was nearly worn out,

62 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

that I came to this colony to expect difficultics, and
that where they could not be avoided I met them
cheerfully; but what grieved me to the heart was
their late conduct in neglecting the public work, and
sneaking away before the hour for labour was over,
and when at work, attending to it with such indiffer-
ence; with many other irregularities so contrary to
their former behaviour. I asked them who was most
to be benefited or ruined by the success or failure of
this colony. If it were not for the regard I had tor
their present and eternal welfare, and those of the
natives of this vast continent, I should instantly
return to my friends in England, who were anxious
to see me; and that they might depend upon it, un-
fess I saw a Sreat difference in their behaviour. I
should certainly leave them ; that I did not wish to
leave them in anger, but, on the contrary, would shake
hands with them 'all, wishing them from my heart
as much happiness as they wished themselves, if they
thought they could do better without me than with
me, and, therefore, it was much better and more
honourable for them to say so at once, than to suffer
me to sacrifice my life in their service without doing
them any good. An instantaneous expression of
gratitude burst from the whole, with promises of
amendments, many excuses, and also several affect-
ing anecdotes of the particular situation in which
many of their families were placed at this time (which
I knew to be too true), which occasioned an irritability

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 63

that they could not help, though they did not mean
to give offence.. As one of the council was present
who had the night before told me that almost all of
the people were anxious to return to America from
being dissatisfied, and as I had told this gentleman
that I was convinced this inclination did not prevail,
"and that if it did, he must certainly have had his
share in causing it, I was determined to ask the people
before his face if such a-thing had ever been said.
They all laughed at the idea. and said they knew
better than to say so. Some said, 'If my wile and
children like to go, they may ; but I will stay." Others
said, ' Those that are discontented, let them go ; they
are not worthy to stay with us.' This gentleman was
greatly confused at the indignant manner in which
they all expressed themselves on the subject, and I
have but little doubt that he spread the report from
knowing that Nancy Thompson had applied to me
to let her return to America, from having lost her
«nother since she arrived in Sierra Leone, and not
having any other connection left in the colony,. .

At sunrise. according to promise, forty of the
Nova Scotians came to wattle in a garden attached
to my house, as a botanical or experimental ground.
The different captains st the head of their men
during the whole day have worked extremely hard,
and have been very contented. At noon I gave
each a glass of rum and water The Nova
Sceotians, if left to themselves, would fully come

64 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

up to the character I have invariably given them
but they have not had fair play... I have now
fully ascertained the fact, that both Mr P-- and Mr
C-- have been not only the principal cause of
misleading the settlers and causing dissatisfaction
on shore, but were also the principal instigators of
all the quarrels on board the Harpy. - Mr P-- is
a very industrious, active, insinuating man, but
these valuable qualifications are greatly lessened
by an unbounded ambition, and a haughty and
unpleasant way of carrying on business. Me is,
besides, such a decided stickler for the tights and
privileges of council, that he would suller the
colony to be ruined, sooner than relax one tittle
of what he conceived to be his rights To him
and Mr C I may safely lay the whole blame of
the disorders in the colony, as well as those on
board. the Although I. have hitherto
made a point (whenever 1 could be spared from
the duties of the colony) of attending the council
when summoned, that I might not be the cause of
retarding the progress of the colony, yet I have
never been satisfied with its proceedings, and have
considered all their deliberations as so much loss
of time, for in no instance have the instructions
from the directors been brought forward for our
contemplation. Nor has any subject of sufficient
importance occupied so much time as has been

 

thrown away in their meetings. . .

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 65

' Mr T-- confined a valuable carpenter this morn-
ing for disrespect to him; the carpenter alleged
that Mr T-- had not paid proper attention to his

wife, who was extremely ill, and, from neglect, is
now in great danger. I am sorry to observe the
frequent complaints of the general neglect in the
medical department; but how can it be otherwise ?
People in every situation go and come out of the
colony as they please, and if I remonstrate, it is
generally insinuated to me that they have the
council's leave, or leave from one of that body;
but I will no longer put up with it, for. I. feel
assured that, as soon as the directors receive my
first letter, they will lose no time in giving me the
necessary power; particularly as I know Mr Gilbert
wrote fully to them by the first conveyance after
my arrival ; for vice and every species of wickedness
and discontent are spreading in the colony from so
many people living together, having nothing to do,
and their provisions found them. Would that have
been the case had their lands been ready for them
upon their arrival? - No; every man would have
been employed, and would not have had time to
talk nonsense. And as to the officers, they have
been ruined, from being placed in situations they
were never calculated to fill ; and their brains have
been turned, from being allowed to wear a flaming
sword and cockade, with a fine coat and epaulette,
when a jacket and trousers would have been more
E

66 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

consistent for those employed in forming a new
colony.. . .

'It is painful to observe the sickness which gen-
érally prevails in the colony, and also to notice
the extreme negligence of the medical gentlemen.
Whey. are seldom or ever to be found in the after-
noon ; and I cannot help believing that we have
fost many people, principally from mere neglect ol
the surgeons; though many may have sunk under
their complaints, from the disordered state of the
solony having prevented their being properly
attended to.: 'I: have no.: fault to find with the
abilities or: apparent willingness on the part of the
medical gentlemen to do their duty ; but from the
general insubordination in the colony, and every
councillor giving leave to whom he pleases to be
absent from the colony, arises a want of regular
habits, and a listlessness in the conduct of every
one highly prejudicial to the well-doing 'of the
settlement. . . .

'The people are full of complaints at the method of
serving their provisions; some of them getting too
much, others too little, and some nothing at all.
The applications to me from such people are very
distressing, for I have not the comforts they require ;
and althougly I take great care, in my reply. to their
applications, to soothe and commiserate their situa-
tion, and to state how much I regret that I have it
not in my power to gratify their wishes, yet I cannot

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 67

help grieving at the melancholy situation of many
in the colony, of which none but those on the spot
can. have the least idea. "The garden lots are not
yet laid out, which keeps the people in a constant
state of agitation,; as no man can,. tell how far he
may be throwing away his time and labour, till his
premises are specified ; besides, we are losing time
every. day in getting the ground cropped. . These
circumstances, with other disorders in the colony.
opérate on their minds to hurt their feelings, blunt
their hopes, and unsettle them in the performance
of their duty. . It gave me great concern to observe,
to-day, the public work so neglected, especially as
the rainy season is so far advanced, and we have
yet no place on shore for the reception of goods and
stores of any kind. (I summoned all the black cap-
tains and settlers to meet ime in the storehonse this
evening. . When they were all assembled, I entered
into a. conversation with them, and recalled to their
minds the readiness with which they had formerly
executed, and even anticipated, my desires, and the
regular conduct they had observed, so as to merit
even the thanks of their avowed adversaries at Hali-
fax, who did not look upon people of their colour
with any feelings of respect. I reminded them that,
as a set of men not devoid. of fecling, they ought
to testify their gratitude towards the Sierra Leone
Company, who have expended nearly £40,000 in
settling them, and providing for the wants of an

68 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

infant colony; that, in acting agreeably to such
principles, they would only be serving their own
interests, by securing to themselves and offspring
an asylum likely to afford to them and the sur-
rounding country the most important advantages.
With respect to their lots of land, I did not wonder
at their anxiety to obtain them, and I was sorry to
remark there had been some neglect with respect
to laying-out their garden lots, which I would en-
deavour to get finished with as little loss of time
as possible; but I begged them to consider that
the company's officers had feelings as well as them-
selves, and therefore they could mot expect them to
give up their thoughts and time to promote their
comforts before they got sheltered from the weather
themselves. I was fully aware how much they stood
in need of little comforts at this critical time, and
how acceptable a distribution of such articles as they
required would be to them ; but they must remember
that the goods could not be brought from the ships
for sale or distribution till a place was fitted up for
their reception. It, therefore, in a great measure,
remained with themselves whether they would put
off the time for receiving these comforts or not, and
I therefore implored them to draw together for the
general good, and not give way, as they had done of
late, to an irritable and unbecoming conduct towards
those who did not exactly fall in with their views just
at-the moment they required it. I told them that. as

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 69

I knew the sick wanted all the comforts we could give
them, I had ordered from the Sierra Leone packet
some molasses and flour to be brought on shore and
distributed equally amongst them. I took this oppor-
tunity of informing them, that I had just heard that a
gradual abolition of the slave trade was determined
on in England, which appeared to give them great
satisfaction ; and I therefore implored them to reflect
upon the situation in which they were placed, with
the eyes of the whole world upon them, and how
much the character of the black people would de-
pend upon their conduct ; for if this colony shonld
fail in consequence of their unsteady behaviour, what
inducement would there be for men of talent and
property to give up their time and labour, in hopes
of raising them from their debased state to the bless-
ings of civilisation, if they would not do something
on their part to assist them. I told them that I
had not only a good opinion of their religious prin-
ciples, but that I had reported it to their benefactors;
although I was sorry to observe of late a slackness,
in a few instances, in their moral conduct, which, if
continued, would greatly damp my ardour in their
cause; for they knew I had invariably set them a
good example myself, and hoped the company's
officers would do the same-for we had all received
the most positive instructions on that head, and also
to be punctual in our attendance at public worship.
I have, of late, observed some officers absent them-

70 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

selves from church, therefore I took this opportunity
of mentioning it, particularly as the new officers from
the Sierra Leone packets were most. of them pre-
sont. I hope it will have the effect I wish. I further
proposed to them, that they ought never to buy any-
thing or trade with the natives on a Sunday, for such
a regulation would not only break the customs of the
natives, of bringing their goods for sale on that day,
after they had once or twice: returned with them
unsold, but would also induce them. to make in-
quiries about the nature and cause of the Sabbath
and religion. I next proposed that no guns should
be fired within the precincts of the town, that boats
for public fishing be built, that Sunday-schools be
established, the masters of which should be paid,
until those sent out by the company had arrived ;
that no woman or girl, should be seen idle in the
streets-for idleness in women, as well as in men,
lead to the worst of consequences; and as a check
upon this custom, as well as that of their sneaking
away from public work, I proposed, that any person
convicted of these faults by a jury ought to be
sentenced to additional public work, in proportion
to the sreatness of their faults, or else have their
provisions stopped. I1 explained to them the bene-
ficial nature of public works--such as erecting store-
houses, churches, schools, wharfs, making roads, etc.,
aud even the officers houses, for as long as the
gentlemen were obliged to live all in one house,

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY ya

Having no place of security for their papers, etc..
they could not help neglecting their duty in failing
to procure comforts for the settlers; -and to: the
same reason might be attributed the pernicious irre-
gularity in serving: out the stores.

'The subject of the storehouse next claimed imy
attention. - The want of provisions, which induced me
some time ago to put them upon short allowance, I
found had discouraged them, and caused them to
neglect the public work. - The- arrival of the Stersa
Leone packet, which brought some provisions, and the
hopes of the speedy arrival of the Trusty and Ocean,
gave me an opportunity of holding out a better
prospect to them in this respect. I therefore called
upon them, if they valued their own happiness or
that of their children, or if they had any regard for the
civilisation of this large continent, now immersed in
hRheathenism, ignorance and vice, to think on these
things, and of the awful responsibility they were
under, to do all in their power to bring about such
an extensive blessing. . .

'These people have delicate feelings, and just ideas
of right and wrong, and as they have been ill-treated
and deceived through life, they are very suspicious
of the conduct of white people, particularly if they
are attacked in an arbitrary way, and it becomes
every sone of us to be guarded in our conduct
towards them. 1. regulated this and other com-
plaints, and assured them that the Sierra Leone

72 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

Company would always be willing to support their
just rights.

'I cannot have any doubt that these people will
give me all the satisfaction in their power. I never
propose anything but they accede to it ; though some-
times I am obliged to explain my reasons to them,
if I wish to see them do it with cheerfulness. I
observed with pleasure the affection they felt for me ;
they begged me not to exhaust myself any more in
speaking to them, for they were ready to do every
thing I wished. When I left them, they gave three
cheers, and returned to their homes.

CH APE ER IV
COVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY-continued

'I SHALL only observe here, that the directors have
freighted a ship called the Trusty, from Bristol, in
January last, to bring out supplies of various kinds,
with several artificers; but unfortunately she met
with a severe gale of wind, which damaged her con-
siderably, and she was obliged to put into Cork to
unload her cargo, and to be put into a state of repair.
The directors, finding the length of time she was
likely to be detained there, made an offer of ten
guineas cach to a number of artificers on board to
cancel their agreement, and most sincerely do I hope
they will all come into the measure; for we are
overstocked with useless, dissatisfied people already,
and they would only come to find a grave in Africa,
for the present Europeans are dying every day. . . .

'The whole of the instructions received from the
directors to this time are admirable in themselves,
and do them great credit ; but, as I have said before,
they are not calculated for us in our present state,
they only perplex and depress our spirits, feeling

73

wal GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

them as commands from our employers which cannot
be attended to. I am as anxious, and my heart is as
warmly attached to the cause as the most zealous
of the directors; but the information they require
cannot be furnished them, neither can the regulations
they propose be accomplished till the colony becomes
more settled, and the different departments more
effective. . . .

Ba the evening I received a letter from John S- --,
sent out by the company as overseer of lands, and
as I am daily receiving similar applications from a
variety of people, I shall copy his letter, and en-
closure :-

'" SIr, -I and my family are quite -starving. We
have had not a bit of bread for near three weeks, only
half a pound of meat a day. If that can be proper
for two young children to support and nourish them,
I should be satisfied. I must beg you will have the
goodness to malse an alteration for the better. I and
my wile are dying by inches, really, for want of
proper support ; we cannot stand it any longer. I
have sent a copy of agreement from the court of
directors in London.-Sir, your obliged servant,

'* JOHN S--,

<8 Fraps Town, 6/6 Hay 1792;

"What a pity it is that. the directors should : have
encouraged, as they appear to have done, a number

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 75

of women and children coming out at the commence-
ment of a colony! In the upper order of servants it
has been attended with the greatest possible evil, for
it has been the cause of much jealousy and bad
feelings altogether, which will not easily be eradi-
cated. To this fatal measure I should be inclined to
attribute the violent party spirit which has been so
prominent in the colony. And in the lower order of
servants it has already been attended, in many in-
stances, with the most distressing and fatal conse-
quences, and, I have too much reason to fear, will
end in the loss of nearly the whole of the white
population now in the colony.

Independent of the extreme misery occasioned to
individuals, it has greatly added to the distressés of
the colony from having so mazy people, who had
never left England before, and were accustomed to
the common comforts of life, experiencing all at once
the difficulties, distreéses, and inconveniences of a
new settlement, without an effective government, with
insufficient shelter from the weather, deprived of the
common necessaries of life, and with their wives and
children and friends dying, and no means of furnish-
ing them with the attention they require. f

'These distressing scenes unman the stoutest heart.
Despondency takes place, and death follows. No one
but those on the spot can form any idea how much
my feelings are worked upon every hour of the day
by applications, expressed in the most pitiable terms,

76 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

for what I have it not in my power to bestow ; but I
have the only consolation of knowing that I have
endeavoured to do all in my power to relieve their
wants as far as I could ; and when I could not com-
ply with all they required, I have endeavoured, in my
answers to their various requests, to convey to them,
in the most consolatory language, how much I felt for
them, and how happy it would make me if I could in
any way comply with their wishes; and I have in-
variably offered to furnish them or their friends with
money, or any other means in my power, to enable
them to procure elsewhere what I could not get them,
if they knew where they could be supplied. . . .

<The store tent is now in horrible confusion, people
dying for want of food, from the confusion and irre-
gularity in distributing the provisions, rather than for
want of little comforts, all of which, however, with
proper arrangement, might have easily been remedied.
I did all in my power, but it was too late, and I could
not alone do everything. My orders were either
slovenly and partly executed, or else countermanded
by other officers The only means I can devise is,
that all orders should go through my hands alone ;
but here I shall have difficulties to encounter. .

'May 11th. A terrible noise in the military tent-
all the soldiers drunk. Care has been taken to supply
them with abundance of liquor. I went down this
morning to the storehouse, and among other unac-

GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY 77

countable disorders I observed that the clerk in the
stores had no proper measure for serving out the pro-
visions, that a man working in the store tent dipped a
basin into the butter tub, and in that way served it
out. Such confusion pervades the whole system of
affairs! What avails liberality when passed through
channels which divert it so miserably from its proper
destination, and even make it a source of misery,

mourning, and discontent? . ; .

+ May 123th. In the morning I received a letter from
Captain C--, complaining of the neglect of the per-
son sent in the HZarpy's boat with a case of stationery,
who left it on the beach, exposed to the, heavy
tornado, which must have damaged it considerably.
But what was my astonishment, at a council held this
morning, when Captain C--, who had on all occa-
sions before been the most tenacious of his authority,
and had regularly counteracted most of my designs,
proposed that the whole of the executive power of
government should be lodged in my hands, and all
this out of ségard to the company's interest. The
fact is, that he finds he has undertaken a situation
which, if he does justice to it, will occupy more of his
time, and occasion greater bodily exertion than he is
willing to bestow ; and feeling a little indisposed and
disappointed, I should not wonder in the least if
he has made up his mind to return to England-but
time will show. His proposition was agreed to, for

78 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

the gentlemen who came out in the Sierra Leone
packet have spoken their sentiments pretty plainly
upon the state of the colény. . . .

_ accompanied by some of the gentlemen of
the Sierra Leone packet, to RKobanna to dine with the
king. As the king had invariably shown a friendly
feeling towards us in all the palavers held, I took this
opportunity, when I had not anything in particular to
talk to him about, or to, require his interference, to
take him a puncheon of rum, and some other articles
as a present from myself. I also carried him the
letter from his son. | The king appeared delighted
with my attention, and made many feeling and sensible
inquiries about his son. . When Mr F--- returned
from Africa in the Lapwing last year, he took young
Naimbanna with him to England, and the ditectors
had his picture taken and sent out by Mr F--- in
the Aviv. It is considered an excellent and
when the king spoke of his son, he continually pointed
to the picture with tears in his eyes, and the old queen
at the same time showed strong feelings of affection.
Whenever I mentioned the colony to the king, he
always replied, " 2 will, which is as much as to say,
I will do all in my power to serve you and the colony.
I returned to the colony at half-past cight. Late in
the evening arrived the long-looked-for 7wsty, having
been detained eleven weeks at Cork. . . .

t' Hay 16k. Finding no person this morning to

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 79

superintend the workmen at the storehouse, who went
on as leisurely as they pleased, I sent a summons to
all the gentlemen holding responsible situations, to
consult them upon the best method of preventing the
confusion that has hitherto prevailed, and does at
present prevail, and of putting into execution the
general views of our employers,. (My intention and
expectation was, that each in turn would offer to take
it in turn to muster the people at sunrise, and to see
that they performed their work in a proper manner;
but after much conversation, I found such jealousies
and party spirit amongst them, as to convince me a
public meeting was not calculated to effect the good
I intended, and we all parted without coming to any
resolution on the subject: Sickness continues to
increase amongst us,-half the soldiers are now con-
fined with-illness, and some in danger, so that I have
been obliged to dispense with a sentinel at my tent,
although-the houses not yet enelosed. . . .

I1 had in thé:sevening a very interesting conversa-
tion with one of the settlers. I can have no doubt of
theit good intentions,. or of their affection towards
me. People may in vain disseminate dissatisfaction
amongst them, which I can plainly perceive has been
the case, after I have conversed with them for some
little time, but I can scarcely find a man who, after
an hour's conversation with me, is not convinced of
the company's generous disposition towards them.
It is very difficult to manage people in their situa-

So GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

tion. According to the printed declaration from the
directors of the Sierra Leone Company, they had
reason to expect to have been put upon their lands
on their arrival, and they frequently remind me of it,
adding, that if they had had their respective lots
when they first arrived, the provisions which the
company so kindly allowed them would have been a
great help to them ; but not having their lands, and
seeing but little prospect of obtaining them for at
least some time to come, it extremely unsettled their
minds, and made them despair of ever getting com-
fortably settled. Besides, they have the greatest
horror of getting into debt, from the experience they
suffered in America, and they justly say. " What are
we to do when you give us our lands and the pro-
visions are stopped? We must cither get into. debt
or be starved, and if we incur debts we are at that
time at the mercy of the company and their agents."
These arguments, with a variety of other forcible
appeals, and great ignorance as to the principles of
government (many of them having imbibed strange
notions from Thomas Peters as to their civil rights),
the sudden change they have made from a-state of
the greatest degradation to the blessings of a milder
treatment, is more than many of them can bear; and
it therefore requires the greatest care in those that
govern them, to weigh well the state in which they
are at present placed with their former condition.
It is also of the first importance to keep in view, that

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY 81

one of the principal objects of the Sierra Leone Com-
pany, in forming this. colony, was the civilisation of
Africa, and to remember how much the attainment of
this great end depends upon conciliating the affec-
tions of the present colonists, as their mainstay and
support, by a fair, open, and manly conduct. calen-
lated to weir them to a sense of their duty, by mak-
ing every allowance for their ignorance, the difficult
situation in which they have been placed ever since
their arrival in Sierra Leone, the bad example set
them at the commencement, and the pernicious
advice they have received from individuals frequent-
ing the colony, . . .

'The officers are extremely unguarded in their
conduct to the black settlers-I mean as to their
violent and hasty behaviour to them ; and the white
people in this country have no feelings of honour in
their transactions with the natives A respectable
of
the Bananas sent him, and pressed him in a friendly

 

black trader was here a few days since. B

manner to come and trade with him at the Bananas,
and he would use him civilly. The black man pro-
told

one of our gentlemen he wished the man would come

 

mised to go. and he went home. Mr B

to him, and he would immediately clap him in irons,

for there was a person in the Scarcies country (this

man's native place) who owed him some money, and

he would by this manceuvre be paid, which he said

was very fair, and the only way to recover his debt in
F

82 COVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

this country. This evening, for the first time since
my arrival, King Jemmy overcame his fears and
ventured into the settlement alone. I saw him acci-
Gently, and be behaved very cordially to me, and
promised he would come again with King Naimbanna
and dine with me. . .

tillhe sick gentlemen on board the have
Written to me to request me to send some person to

 

wait upon them, as Captain W cannot spare one
of his men. From the extensive illness in the colony,
I find a difficulty in complying with their wishes,
although I have offered as much as two shillings per
day to induce any man or women to attend them.
Whey have also applied to me for cides or porter,
which they now find a difficulty in getting without
my order, but I have it not in my power to comply
with their request. I have recommended to them to
keep up their spirits, as that will do them more good
than all their nursing. . . .

'Understanding from those I employ to watch over
the minds of the people, and to give me timely notice
of anything going forward likely to disturb the peace
of the colony, that Thos. Peters is still very unsettled
in his mind, and has made some impression upon two
or three of the black captains, I summoned them all
to meet me this evening, and had a long conversation
with them upon various subjects. I find that Peters,
knowing I was going out of the settlement for a short
time, intimated to the people a desire to be appointed

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY 83

speaker general for the blacks, and has had the address
to stir up the feelings of the xatwrally suspicious blacks,
pointing out to them nothing but fears, dangers,
oppression and injustice from the company's officers ;
and if it had not been for some of the religious part of
the settlers, acting from motives of conscience, the
whole colony might in a moment have been in a blaze
of rebellion. I am sorry to observe that two or three
of the captains appear to side with Peters; and
although I cannot yet believe that Peters has any
serious desire to usurp the government, yet he has
(from his ignorance, added to the general confusion,
sickness and the many inconveniences attending our
present state) done much mischief already in un-
settling the people's minds, and will do more if he is
not thoroughly watched. Among other grounds of
complaint, the want of their lots of land is the
strongest, and not quite without reason. Peters, in
his conversation with me, always makes use of im-
proper expressions ; but I never allow them to put me
off my guard, considering them the effect of his visit
to England. His whole policy consists in making his
hearers believe that it was Ze who obtained the Act of,
Parliament for the removal of the blacks to this coun-
try. It would 'be endless to take notice of all the
nonsense these people will sometimes utter; but I
feel it my duty for the sake of the colony, as well as
the civilisation of this continent, to dear with their
ignorance, and soften their violence, by submitting to

84 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

their prejudices, and yet never deviating from: telling
them the truth. - Mowever, on all occasions, I have had
the happiness to be able to convince them, by argu-
ments, of their mistake, and knowing so well my dis-
position and sentiments in the cause, they suffer them-
selves to be guided by me, notwithstanding the pains
falsen to tender them discontented. After this palaver
the people separated, and I retired to bed greatly
exhausted. . . .

Seeing a ship in the offing about twelve o'clock
standing towards the Cape, I ordered a boat, which I
called the Susan, to be got ready for me to take a sail
alter an early, dinner, that I might go off to meet her,
and amuse myself for a few hours, After working,
with a good sea breeze and chbb tide, as, far as Cape
Sierra Leone, I perceived a great many people on
board, but could not form the least idea what she
could be, or from whence she came, till I got along-
side of her, when, on going upon the quarter-deck, I
found her to be the Ca/ppso, one of the vessels fitted
out by the Bulam Association for forming a colony in
the neighbourhood of that island. I soon recognised
Mr Dalrymple, their governor, as well as others of my
acquaintance, and was informed that she came from
the Island of Bulam with 153 passengers returning to
England, but calling at Sierra Leone for assistance.

I understood they were in want of provisions, and
some of them so ill as to require medical aid and
other comforts, which they could not receive on board.

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 85

Mr D. appeared very ill, and from what I could learn
from an old friend, one of the party, I found that he
had disagreed with the council, who, generally speak-
ing, were dissatisfied with him, and the whole had
formed but an indifferent opinion of his qualifications
for the situation he had filled. I stayed on board the
Calypso till she came to an anchor off the settlement,
and I think I never beheld a more motley or miserable
set; many of them were half-pay officers, decayed
gentlemen and dissolute adventurers, and other re-
spectable characters The sudden and unexpected
arrival of this ship has filled my mind with gloomy
ideas, for I cannot calculate the consequences likely
to result from so many people of mixed character
coming to us at the present time, when our people's
minds have become a little settled, after the agitated
state in which they had been kept for so many months
, as an old acquaintance, and as

 

past.: »I anvited I
the person originally appointed governor of this place,
to return with me and partake of my quarters on board
ship. He appears greatly distressed in mind, sickly
in body, and poor in clothing, etc. . . :

'I understand that the expedition fitted out for the
settlement at Bulam consisted of two ships and a
cutter ; that the Calypso arrived before the Hanky and
the cutter ; that Mr D---, being anxious to take pos-
session of the island, did not wait for the arrival of his
consorts, but landed, without making any treaty or
agreement with the natives The consequence was

86 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S Diary

that, on the Sunday after their landing, about noon,
when the white people were secure, as they believed,
on shore, reposing themselves in their tents, they were
suddenly attacked by the natives To increase the
misfortune, many of their number were gone with Mr
D-- on a party up the country. Those about the
tents were taken unawares and unarmed. The natives
killed five men and two women, and took three or
four women away with them, whom they treated
barbarously ; but the women were afterwards, through
the mediation of the Portugnese settlement in the
neighbourhood, redeemed and restored to their ships.
This has been a sadly-managed business, for the
Island of Bulam* is described even by the enemies of
the scheme, who ars now on their way home, as a
beautiful country, and abounding in elephants, buf-
faloes, fowls, etc.; but the neighbouring natives are
said to be the most sanguinary and treacherous, the
father sleeping with a knife for fear of his son. . . .
SWe continue to meet with obstacles in removing
our lines into the country, as in many instances we
interfere with the natives' plantations, and it requires
great care in settling little differences with them on
this head. In fact, we purchased the whole of the
fand, as we believed, to a certain distance up the
* The present name is Bulama. It is an island 'amongst a large
group at the River Jeba, just within the Bijouga shoals, nearly

12 degrees north latitude; now a Portuguese possession, also a tele-
graph station. It is very unprogressive. The natives barbarous and

indolent."

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 87

river, and then straight into the country ; but when
the chiefs sold us the country, they had not the least
idea that we could want to make use of the whole,
and therefore they are not prepared to part with their
in-

 

plots of ground hastily, Ihave given MrT
structions for his guidance, which will never lead him
astray if he will follow them, and neither will they
give offence to the natives. Little disputes and ap-
plications of various kinds have occupied the whole
of my time this day. I find from the Bulam people
that many of their party still remain on that island ;
that the persons who are now here are those who
were dissatisfied with the proceedings and prospects ;
and that the party left had chosen my old friend.
P. B---, for their governor, who acts with four coun-
sellors. They have great confidence in lis prudence.
I understand many of the gentlemen of the Cailppso
wish to settle here, and I have been already ternilsly
harassed with applications of this nature. It is pain-
ful to me to refuse them ; but my duty to-those uncer
my care compels me to do it, although those on board
ate in a very ill state of health, and are not likely to
recover where they are, from being closely stowed,
badly accommodated, under no discipline, and in
want of necessary comforts; in short, they are in
greater distress than I can well describe. I have con-
sulted with the officers in the colony as to the best
method of proceeding, and I have also advised with
Mr D-- and an old messmate of mine, Mr K--,

88 GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY

who accompanied the former on this expedition, and
everything that I can do to lessen the number, and
to administer comfort and relief, shall be done as soon
as the nature of our situation will enable me to do it ;
but the sickness and distress on board the
weigh heavily on my mind, and F fear, from what I
have already seen, that the unfortunate arrival of this
ship will greatly retard the work of the colony, and
again unsettle the minds of the people. . . .

'I am occasionally, called upon to settle little pal-
avers between captains of slave ships and the natives
in the neighbourhood, and I never lose an opportunity
of having the palaver stated on paper, with the man-
ner in which it was settled, and the names of the
parties concerned in it, with mine as the arbitrator, and
gopies given to cach, when I take care to add on to
those copies given to the natives, the views of the Sierra
Leone Company, our disposition to live peaceably and
happily with them, and our readiness to instruct their
children to Zarr book and to make them have good
heads. When a Guinea man arrives in the bay, I
uniformly send, or go on board, to advise the captain
not to anchor off our settlement, as his seamen will
certainly desert from him and plague me. Some take
the hint, and thank me for it; others do not, and are
sure to lose their seamen, give me an immensity of
trouble, unsettle the minds of the Nova Scotians, and
nin their morals: \We begin already to feel the bad
effects of so many strangers of different characters

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 89

coming among us, and a stop must be put to it, or
some regulations adopted ; for if not, we shall be
thrown into greater confusion than we have ever
been before. - Having consulted with the principal
gentlemen in the colony, I wrote the following letter,
and addressed it to " The Governor and Council of

)

Bulam "' :-

<<< FreE Town, August 10k, 1792.

'" GENTLEMEN,-I am sorry to be obliged to write
to you relative to the confusion existing, and likely to
continue, in this colony from so many people leaving
the Calypso, and coming to stay on shore at the
same time, and without any kind of order or subordi-
nation, and remaining in the town after dark. | 1 am
likewise much concerned to inform you that King
Jemmy has made a complaint to me of the improper
behaviour of your people, and if they do not conduct
themselves with more propriety and decorum, they
will in all probability involve us, who are at peace and
perfectly happy, in a very serious palaver, not only
with the natives, but with our own people. I1 must,
therefore, request that you will not permit more than
a certain number of your people to come on shore in
the daytime, and that they return on board before
dark. - This will give them an opportunity of refresh-
ing themselves, and the captain of your ship will be
better able to get his vessel in order during their
absence. Every possible assistance that I can render

90 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

you to forward you to Europe I shall receive pleasure
in giving. I have fitted up a vessel on purpose to
take some part of your passengers to England, to
make more room for the accommodation of those
who may remain in the Calypso, and I have already
desired the captain of your vessel to inform me what
assistance he requires to fit him ont, so as to make
everyone on board comfortable, our colony being at
this time in good order and subordination. I should
be miserable to have the peace of our people disturbed
by the interference of strangers I must candidly
tell you, it is not my, intention to give any kind of
encouragement to any of your people to settle among
us. except those who, from particular circumstances,
humanity would oblige me to assist, by letting them
remain on shore till such time as they may be in a
proper state to quit the colony without endangering
their health ; and those only after having obtained
leave from me by a proper application. I have been
informed by some of the inhabitants of this town, that
your people have offered such extravagant prices to
settlers for the various articles issued out to them for
the preservation of their health, that they have been
induced to part with them, although probably their
health and lives may depend upon their making a
proper use of these articles themselves. (Ihis has
obliged me to put a stop to any further supply to our
people from the store till the Ca/ypso sails There-
fore, feeling as I do for the general happiness of this

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY oI

colony, and considering that I have offered, and am
determined to furnish you with everything our settle-
ment affords, that can add to your comfort during
your voyage to Europe, you will not, I hope, think
me blamable for having written you my sentiments,
or accuse me of a want of feeling in being so explicit.
-I am, gentlemen, with every sincere wish for your
happiness and the prosperity of your colony, your

most obedt. servant,
£ JOHN CLARKSON."

'In the late digpatches, the directors suggest an idea
of applying to have Sierra Leone made a free port,
thinking it may tend to promote the prosperity of
the place; but I am, sure, in our present situation, it
would prove our ruin, for we have more stratigers
among us now than we know how to manage, and we
ate too much in our infancy to receive benefit from
such a measure.: . .

'The European soldiers are nearly all dead or useless
from the effects of irregular conduct and the climate.
As to the black soldiers, I see but little use in retain-
ing them in their present undisciplined state, and I
shall probably take an early opportunity to make the
best bargain 1 can with them, and discharge the
whole. The artificers from Europe are mostly dead,
and those remaining are useless, from a variety of
causes"...

< ]une 20th. The storehouse has been so badly con-

02 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

trived and built that the weather penetrates in every
direction, and, of course, the goods of various sorts
stowed in it are more or less damaged, but this is not
the only evil. The quantities of different articles and
provisions stowed one above another, the badness of
the casks in which many of them are contained, and
the leakage in consequence, the damaged cheese and
biscuits, with other articles in a state of putrefaction,
occasion such a stench about the storehouse, and are
so offensive inside, that it is extremely painful to me
to order people to attend the necessary duty there.
It has also been the custom of late to serve out the
provisions at the entrance of the storehouse (in conse-
quence of its being so extremely offensive within),
where the provision casks have been opened, and the
fluids and scraps from all descriptions of articles are
allowed to lie and soak into the ground, from the
place not having been properly paved. This impru-
dent measure has greatly added to the unwholesome-
ness of the place, and from the experience we have
already had, I feel, when I am obliged to appoint a
person to attend there, that for a certainty I am send-
ing him to his grave. . .

'"FrEE TowK, S5. Lkoxx, 2, 1792.

<" DEAR SIr,-As I see by the English papers that
France has declared war against Germany, and from
letters I have received from England, I have reason

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 03

to fear it is likely to become general ; I have there-
fore to request, should England be wicked enough to
interfere (in any other way than to endeavour to
reconcile matters in a peaceable manner), so as to
create a misunderstanding between the French and
us, that you will use your influence to obtain an
order that our infant colony may not be disturbed
by any of your vessels Believe me, sit, it is estab-
lished on the true principle of freedom, and intended
to promote the general happiness of mankind,, but
particularly the natives of this continent; and should
we be disturbed in our infancy, it would, in all pro-
bability, retard the progress of civilisation in this
unenlightened country. We have it in our power to
do great things, if we are permitted to go on in a
peaceable way ; and I am sure it must be a heartfelt
satisfaction for every good man to know, that the
poor Africans have an opportunity now of being in-
structed in the principles of religion and virtue. The
poor people I brought with me from America begin
to feel the sweets of a free government, and I am
convinced they would follow the example of France,
should they be disturbed in their endeavours to main-
tain their newly-acquired freedom. I must beg the
favour of you to present my most respectful com-
pliments to Madame La Fayette, who, I am sure, will
be rejoiced to hear that the philanthropic views of the
Sierra Leone Company are likely to be crowned with
success. " That your exertions in the cause of liberty

Q4 CEOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

may exceed your most sanguine expectations, is the
sincere wish of, dear sit, your most obliged and
obedient servant, JOHN CLaArKson.

SET A Monsieur La Fayette a Faris."

(ihe more I reflect upon the company's affairs,
the more I am satisfied they must begin afresh with
an effective government upon a more reduced scale,
and I see no reason to doubt of ultimate success. It
is ridiculous to expect to make progress in civilisation
but by very slow degrees. You cannot overcome the
prejudices of grown-up people, but you may lay the
seeds of improvement by instructing the rising genera-
tion and letting them see that you practise what you
recommend. After all the advantages we have had
(for I still mention we have had many), should we
not succeed, what a sad effect it will have upon the
public, and what little inducement they will have to
make another attempt. These reflections are
uppermost in my thoughts, and I am miserable at the
idea of so fair an opportunity being lost. I feel con-
fident that I can always command the friendship of
the natives by a consistent conduct towards them,
and have no fear of conciliating the kind offices of
the European at the cdifferent factories, and still
preserve my principles We have lost many lives
yet I will not pronounce the climate bad to a pru-
dent man. Clearing the country will greatly add to

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 95

the salubrity of the air, and when men are settled,
and their minds at ease, many of the present incon-
veniences will lessen, but it is out of the power of
any man to put himself in my situation, and to know
my feelings, when I reflect upon what was [Zormer/y
done, what has since been done, what would have
been done, and what has been left undone. . . .

july 3d. I fear, in spite of all my efforts to pre-
vent it, that many single people who are sick are
neglected, and left to shift for themselves, (The
death of Mr Cox, as just reported, is an affecting in-
stance, and has depressed me exceedingly. Being a
single man, he was left to himself without a person
to help him or to care for him, and he was found
dead without anyone knowing that he was ill, So
many people being sick at this time, require all the
attention of their friends, and those without friends,
I fear, have been allowed to die without much help

or commiseration. .

**To our Superintendent and Council at Sierra
Leone.

** GENTLEMEN,- The directors of the Sierra Leone
Company have been taking into their serious con.
sideration the peculiar circumstances of your situation
during the first formation of this settlement. 'they
will not trouble you with a detail of the various con-
siderations which have suggested themselves, and of

96 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

the various motives which have concurred in inducing
them to form the unanimous determination which it
is the object of our present letter to communicate:
This is that, in order to ensure that despatch, vigour
and consistency which are so essentially necessary,
our Superintendent, Mr Clarkson, be invested with
full power to act according to his sole direction in all
such cases and emergencies as may appear to him to
call for the exercise of such an authority, without or
against the opinion of the Council-the attention of
every individual member of our Council, having of
necessity to be often called off from the general business
of the settlement by the concerns of his own depart-
ment. We are persuaded our Council will rejoice
with us, that we have now the opportunity of deriving
all the benefits that may result from the adoption of
this measure, without any danger of abuse of the
large powers, by our now possessing a superin-
tendent in whom, both from his sound judgment and
amiable manners, this discretion may be safely lodged ;
and they will be sensible that. in coming to this
resolution, we are influenced by no other view than
that of a sincere concern for the welfare of our infant
institution. Our superintendent will not, on his part,
we trust, be averse to the acceptance of this uncon-
trolled power, how great soever the responsibility
that is necessarily annexed to it, provided he should
think that the interest of the Company requires the
exercise of it. It can hardly be necessary for us to

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 07

suggest that this is meant merely as a temporary
arrangement.-We are, gentlemen,

'" Your Wellwishers, etc.'
** Examd., Lo®DON, 22g May 1792."

'" GENTLEMEN,-I have called you together in
consequence of having, received a letter from the
Court of Directors, which invests me with full powers
to act as I may think proper, with or without the
Council. I cannot help lamenting, when I see the
state of our colony, that so much time has been lost
since my first landing in Africa; but I will endeavour
to erase from my mind what has happened, and do
my best to remedy past evils by unremitting industry.
I am now, gentlemen, going to propose to you, what
I formerly did upon my first arrival, to convince you,
though I have it in my power to do as I please, that
I detest an arbitrary government. In the first place,
I wish the present government to exist; and if I find
that every gentleman in the Council will show an
inclination to do his duty,; he shall never want my
support. I again repeat. that, in all money matters
or business of importance, I will never take a step
without your advice; but, as for the trifling business
of carrying on the common duty of the colony, yon
must have nothing to do with it, but bestow your
whole attention upon your own department, whenever
circumstances will admit of it. Give me the oppor
tunity of transmitting to our employers such papers

G

98 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

as will show them we are attentive to their instruc-
tions, and let your daily conduct evince that you are
equally desirous of following their directions as to your
behaviour and example, both to the natives and settlers,
and you will be certain of encouragement from me."

into many more particulars, which it is
not necessary to mention here. The weather variable;
In one day we find it hot, cold, windy, calm, rainy
and dry:; these changes are certainly. injurious to
health. Having now full power to do as I please,
W hope it is not too late to make a reformation. If
A eould place confidence in one or two persons, whose
whole business would be to assist me, I should not
despair of bringing the colony about; but the com-
pany must put up with great losses, and give up all
idea of receiving any accounts. It is very doubtful
if I shall ever be able to bring the Nova Scotians
back to their original simplicity and tractability.
Whey require the greatest cireumspection and care
in managing them; and a man, with the purest
motives, if not watchful over all his actions and con-
duct towards them, might endanger the peace of the
colony, and, frustrate the benevolent views intended
in its formation. The natives are friendly, and may
be easily managed by a fair and open conduct towards
them. - It is my constant practice, when I visit any
of the native chiefs, or go into their villages, for myself
ans those who attend me, to be unarmed. . . .

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 99

'As Mr Watt reports himself sufficiently recovered
and anxious to have some employment, I have this
day appointed him to take the charge of eighty men,
and to begin to clear away a piece of ground to erect
an hospital brought out by the D#fe of Savoy on
a point of land I have named after this ship ... .

'It is absolutely necessary that a man-of-war, if
only a cutter, should be stationed on this coast. I
am so interrupted and plagued with the slave-vessels
that I am often obliged to neglect the duty of the
colony for many hours in the day. Besides; I feel
that I have no power to redress grievances, or to
take any cognisance of subjects unconnected with the
colony; and if Government have consented to the
establishment of this settlement, and have put the
nation to the expense of nearly £30,000 in remov-
ing the Nova Scotians, from a feeling of gratitude
towards them, they surely ought not to let the estab-
lishment fall, for want of so limited a legal force. . _>

'No one can form an idea of the unpleasant
situation in which I am placed, from an anxiety to
meet the wishes and promote the happiness of all.
as far as I can do it consistently with the public good ;
but it is a melancholy fact, that I have never known
an instance, from the commencement of the colony
to the present time, of any individual giving up the
least of his private comforts for the public good. . . .

'A strong fermentation in the colony concerning
the allotment of the lands. Many of the Nova

1OO GOVERNOR CLARESON'S DIARY

Scotians continue dissatisfied and suspicious of the
intentions of the Sierra Leone Company, notwith-
standing my constant endeavour to enforce upon
their minds the many powerful inducements they
have for placing implicit confidence in the company,
from having already received such numerous proofs
of their kindness and consideration towards them.
But many excuses may be made for them, when
we consicder.tlhe peculiarity of their situation., In
my conversation with them to-day, I proposed re-
serving for the company the three, Gape lands,
thinking they might be useful for public building,
but I found the general feeling of the Nova Scotians
so strong against the measure, that I was obliged to
give up the idea of it. . Their arguments were, that,
when in America, the king made them similar pro-
mises to those of the company, but they were all
excluded from the water, by the white gentlemen
occupying 'all ithe. water lots, on which they built
wharfs, and made such regulations which entirely
prevented them from having any communication
without payment ; they were therefore unwilling to
tisk the like treatment again.. This forcible appeal
made such an impression, that I could not but feel
the justice of their claims, and I promised them
they should not be excluded from the water side.
'The Nova Scotians agree that the company have
a right to any land they choose for public buildings,
public wharfs, etc., but not to engross the whole line

 

.>

 

 

COVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY 10I

of water along the river either way. As the company
have laid a great stress upon our behaviour to the
blacks, and have constantly expressed their wish
that we should endeavour to bring them forward
as members of a free state, having equal rights, it
is much cheaper, and more to the advantage of the
colony, to let the Nova Scotians know that their
rights are in every respect as dear to the company
as those of the most deserving servant. I therefore
desired Mr W-- to draw out an instrument for my
signature, declaring that no distinction should be
shown in drawing for the different lots; that those
who drew a lot next the water should have his right
specified in his grant, and that he should be at
liberty to build wharfs, storehouses, and anything
he may think fit, as his sole and only right, and in
every respect agreeable to the printed proposals of
the Sierra Leone Company. - This promise on my
part satished the people, and they returned to their
homes. It also satisfied me, because I consider it
but an act of common justice.". .

'After a long conversation with Dr W-- this
morning. on the state of the sick people in the
colony, and consulting with several of the officers re-
specting the means of securing a proper attention
to every individual that might require it, I deter-
mined to divide the people into four classes under
the following officers, viz., Messrs P--, W--,
D--, and Captain Pattison, giving each of these

102 COVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

gentlemen separate instructions for their guidance,
and requesting them to enrol in their lists the names
of such as are now sick, in addition to those fit for
work, who may be willing to join their parties, should
they recover. I hope by these means to prevent
the possibility of any individual being neglected,
for I am sorry to observe, and repeat again, that
many people have been greatly neglected hitherto,
and some have died in consequence. . .

<" To the Freeholders of Granville Town.
'*' FrrE Town, August 2d, 1792.

(" As we are now ready to lay out the lots of land
for the different people of Free Town, I cannot suffer
them to draw their lots without giving you an oppor-
tunity of partaking of the same chance. I am ready
to receive you under our protection, provided you
agree to our laws, and to consider you with the same
tenderness as those I brought with me from America.
I am determined to forget everything that has passed,
and consider you and our people as one. If you will
behave well, I will do my utmost to promote your
happiness, and, therefore, I hope we shall live in per-
fect harmony together. After this offer, and having
put off the people from drawing for their lands, on
purpose to give you an opportunity of joining them,
I now declare, if you do not agree, you must consider
this as a warning to quit your present residence, and
we shall give you eight montks to remove your pro-

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 103

perty, houses, etc. If you will take the advice of one
who wishes to be your friend, you will not hesitate in
agreeing to the methods I propose, for unless you do,
I assure you no letter of yours will ever be listened
to while I. remain in the country, and the Sierra
Leone: Company will never take a step withont
asking my advice. -I remain, gentlemen, with every
sincere wish for your happiness, and the general har-
mony of the inhabitants of Granville and Free Town,
-Your sincere Friend and Well-wisher,
<" JORN CLARKSON."

«Having received an answer from the deputies
appointed to negotiate with the inhabitants of Gran-
ville Town, acquainting me that they had made
arrangements to the satisfaction of both parties, I
returned them the following answer :-

< "* August 4th, 1792.

«I have yjust received. your letter, and am happy
to find such a likelihood of unanimity and harmony
between the Freeholders of Granville and Free Town.
It gives me heartfelt satisfaction to find that we. are
likely to get into some kind of order, and hope we
may begin, under the blessing of God, to date our
happiness with that of your posterity from this hour,
1 shall from this day consider the inhabitants: of
Granville and Free Town as brethren, and they shall
never find me backward in rewarding virtue, and

to4. GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

using my best endeavours to punish vice. ~A man
who shows an inclination to be industrious shall
never be neglected by me, and, while you give me
encouragement by your steady conduct, I will re-
main your friend, and will be happy at all times to
convince you by my behaviour, that I would not
hesitate in laying down my life in defence of your
rights and privileges. I will, with pleasure, wait upon
you at the time you request. -Till then I remain, with
every kind wish for the happiness and prosperity of
Granville and Free Town, your very sincere Friend
and Well-wisher, Jour CLarkson."

'As all parties seem to be now satisfied, / shall
look upon this day as the foundation of this colony.
Mr D-- having nearly finished the building for a
mess-room, etc., I addressed the officers on. the
happy termination of the differences respecting the
lots of land, and implored them to consider the vast
benefits which might arise to this country, if every
officer would endeavour to draw together for the
public good. I expressed my anxious hope that
harmony would prevail throughout the whole settle-
ment, and as an inducement to industry, regularity,
and good feeling towards each other, I had made up
my mind to establish a public mess for the principal
officers, and to put myself at the head of it. I said
I did not intend to dine with them regularly ; but I
should occasionally, and frequently, if I found it

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 105

answered the purposes I intended. - But I wished it
to be clearly understood, that I should establish this
mess upon the express conditions, that every mem-
ber 'of it should agree, and endeavour to abstain
from all party spirit. I pointed out in various ways
the advantages the colony would derive in conse-
quence of such an arrangement, as every officer
would know that he had not only a comfortable
dinner to come to, without the anxiety or trouble
of providing for it, but that he would be sure to
meet with pleasant society, likely to cheer away any
disposition to gloominess, and that it would enable
each of them to be punctual in his attention to his
duties.

fully explained myself, I gave the name
of Harmony Hall to the house, and invited the
intended members of it to dine with me to-morrow
on board the Eniferine. - Retised to bed carly, being
much fatigued with my day's exertion, but highly
gratified. witly the conclusion of it. . . ;

'A few days since a jury having found Cambridge
guilty of the crime alleged, I addressed him. for some
time, pointing out in strong language the effect his
conduct might have upon the privileges of every
individual in the colony, if the crime of which he is
convicted was allowed to remain unpunished. I told
him that, in the Act of Parliament for the incorpora-
tion of the colony, a clause had been introduced
wherein it was particularly declared, that it should

106 CEOVERNOR CLAREKSON'S DIARY

not be lawful for the company, its agents, or for any
individual, either directly or indirectly, to deal in
slaves ; and this clause was also particularly specified
in the paper circulated at Halifax, that every indi-
vidual might know the terms on which he engaged
when he accepted the company's offer ; that although
the prisoner (being one of the old settlers) might never
have heard of such a clause, yet he was living in the
colony when he committed the crime, it became me,
as the chief magistrate, to bring the business forward
in the way I had done, to convince his Majesty and
the British Parliament that we felt the value of the
clause they had inserted in the Act, and that we were
determined to watch with vigilance the conduct of
those who might be inclined to infringe it. I then
addressed the company present, and particularly
called their attention to the change they had lately
made, contrasting the abject and distressed state in
which I found them in America with their present
improved condition. I asked them what they thought
would be the effect produced upon their friends in
England, who had done and were still doing all in
theis power to lead them in the right way, and who
were losing no opportunity of pleading for their civil
rights, when they heard that they were selling each
other. Whis part of the address produced a strong
sensation, and some violent feelings against the
prisoner.. I them to reflect upon the respon-
sibility of their situation, to keep constantly in mind

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 107

that the welfare of the immense population of this
large continent, who were all of the same colour as
themselves, and who were labouring under the grossest
darkness and superstition, depended in a great measure
upon the propriety of their conduct, as these un-
civilised nations would have but little chance of their
condition being improved, while the rest of the world
continued to look upon men of their colour as an
inferior race of mankind. I paused here for a time,
and begged them to reflect upon this solemn appeal
to their feelings, and hoped it would influence them
to such conduct as would convince their enemies and
the world at large that they were capable of enjoying
all the improvements and blessings of civilisation, and
that they were determined, by a suitable conduct, to
go hand in hand with their benefactors in England in
doing away with the infamous slave trade, and in
endeavouring, by every means in their power, to set
an exainple to the present and rising generation,
which could impress them with the advantages they
enjoyed under the influence of a religion calculated to
produce the greatest happiness on earth, as well as
a joyful hope of happiness hereafter. . . .

"The inferior clerks and lower officers in the
colony have been put to great inconvenience, and
have suffered many hardships at times, I fear, in
some instances more than I have been acquainted
with. -I suppose these things occur in all new
colonies.

108 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

'August z5th. The Calypso's people have occa-
sioned me more pain and anxiety than I can describe,
and my fears are so great lest many of them should
stay in the colony, in spite of every precaution on my
part to prevent it, that I have issued the following
notice, and stuck it up on the storehouse door :-

< Town, August 25th, 1792.

<" The Governor and Council of Sierra Leone think
it right to give this public notice, that no person or
persons whatever belonging to the ship Ca/ppso or
cutter from Bulam will be permitted to stay in this
town, or in any other part of their territory, except
they have express leave from Governor Clarkson to
Femain here. Any person belonging to the said
vessels who may be found remaining in Free Town or
Granville Town, or in any other part of the Sierra
Leone Company's ground, after the departure of the
said ships, will not be suffered to remain there, but will
inmediately be compelled to depart It is therefore
desired that no person will think of remaining here
without leave from the Government.

o By erder of the Governor and Council. . . .

'In the evening arrived the Samuel! and Jane from
England, with dispatches from the Court of Directors.
And Mr W---, passenger, to succeed Mr F---, who
is recalled. Ihe members of the council and many
of the gentlemen flocked on board the Amy to hear

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 109

the news from England, but no one attempted to
open a letter or parce! as formerly, and, indeed, some
of the gentlemen retired after hearing the general
news, that I might be by myself. This is as it ought
to have been at the commencement. Ihe first paper
I put my hand upon was a circular letter addressed
to every individual officer announcing the change of

government. - The following is a copy :-

*" Sir,-This serves to notify to you that the change
of all the affairs, civil, military, commercial, and
political, of the Sicrra Leone Company in Africa is
now vested in a governor and two councillors. Our
governor is John Clarkson, Esq. The two members
of the council will be announced hereafter. You ate
therefore to regard the said governor and council, or
as many of them as may be on the spot as our repre-
sentatives, possessing all our delegated authority in
Sierra Leone and its dependencies, and you are to
pay them the same obedience in all respects as you
were enjoined to render the late government by a
superintendent and council.- We are, etc.

# By the order of the Court of Directors,
**Loxpox, 12th July 1792."

©Sat up till a very late hour reading the dispatches
and private letters, and was truly gratified with their

contents. . ...
'Although the late government is now entirely
dissolved by the present new appointment of a

TTO GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

governor and two councillors I shall not make any
difference in my conduct to the old councillors, till
the arrival of one of the last appointed, and shall
consult them as usual. I am glad to find they are
still to hold their situation as magistrates, as this
office will not interfere with their other duties. Mr
Gilbert did not arrive with my dispatches until the
first week in July, having been full ten weeks on his
passage, but fortunately the directors anticipated,
from former accounts, the necessity of making a
thorough change in this government. I understand
from Mr 'IT--, that a Mr Dawes will probably
proceed by the York (which ship was at Plymouth
when the Sav:ucl and fane left that port), to assist
me as a councillor, having no other occupation ; he
speaks of him as follows :-

Dawes has been at Botany Bay and Port
Jackson, from the first foundation of that colony,
being just now returned. He is a licutenant of
marines, and has also acted as a surveyor, in which,
and other scientific branches, he is a man of capacity.
We have also heard of him as a religous man ; he
seems cool, correct, and sensible; he is a man of busi-
ness, and I trust will soon fall into your system, and
second your views, so as to ease your mind, and even
to render your return to England, if material to your
health, much less dangerous than it would otherwise
be to the interest of the colony. . . .

''The Rev. Mt Morne who is a fine character, goes

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY $11

by the York. You may be as confidential as you
please with him; he is lively, animated, zealous
beyond. measure in his profession, has been, in
Wesley's connexion, and is prepared to live and die
in the service. He is the man to comfort you if
weary or sick, and he will try to animate you and
every one he meets, with the glorious expectation he
feels himself, as to another world. We think he will
be of such use in fetching up the backsliding morals
of theicolony, and so desirable a friend to you, that
we send him off, though at the most unseasonable
season of the year. I am truly anxious for his
health and valuable life. . .

<" Dr W-- (though once in the slave trade, and
I sometimes have fancied a tHe fond of liquor) will
be more useful and more obedient than Mr F---.
We have sent a sealed letter respecting the succes-
sion to the government, in case of total failure of
out new governer and council. _I will tell you con-
fidentially, that Dr W will stand at the head, and
two others, the least exceptionable in our eyes, will
be joined with him in case of such an event. . . .

"We have a very capable manager of an estate, who

 

has left Jamaica for Sierra Leone, and is now among us ;
he is brother-in-law of Mr B-- and possibly might
be fit for more general service. His name is Macaulay.

The following extract" is from Granville Sharp's
letter -

I 12 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

(Wit save me great concern to find that: so
much time had elapsed without assigning the land
that had been promised to the American negroes,
who have been so ill used in Nova Scotia, on that
very circumstance that it is natural for them to be very
jealous of any delay in making out their lots."

T have also received the most friendly and affec-
Hionate letters from other friends, particularly my
most valued friend Wilberforce, and I hope I shall
profit by the good advice and observations he has
made. If I did not feel as I have done since my
arrival in Alrica, the great importance ofmy situa-
tion, and how much may depend upon my continuing
in the colony, the arguments made nse of by fim
would have determined me to persevere. I cannot
but admire the apparent anxiety of the directors,
and some of the individuals in the direction, to avoid
giving me arbitrary power, although they see the
necessity of it; I commend them for it, and am
perfectly satisfied with the government they have
decided upon, as it will answer every purpose,
having given me the power to do what -I please,
against the opinion of the council, provided a minute
is made in the council book of the reasons for my
differing from my coadjutors. This is very proper,
and knowing that my whole heart is devoted to the
public good, and to the general interest of the colony
and the company, I have no fear but that if I

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY 113

should be so unfortunate as to be obliged to enforce
the power, that my reasons, for so doing will be
satisfactory to the directors, and convince them I1
have no other end in view, than the happiness of
those committed to my care, as well as the general
civilisation of this benighted continent, and the
company's prosperity. . . .

<I have often complained of the numerous appli-
cations made to me. I1 will copy three received to-
day as specimens of what those usually are which
1 receive daily, The first is a letter from Geotge
Dean, one of the native chicts at Taganen Point :-

< "* TAcANEN PoINT, August 30th, 1792.

<" Mr CLaARKSON.-Sir,-My complimants to you»
hoping you are well. Sir, I wroate you by my joiner
conserning a few nails and boards to mend my long
boate with. I will anser with you for the same in
paying you aney think in country produce you may
think proper your selph. Sir, I heave sent you one
turtle wich I hope youl axcept as a present from me
beeing the first, Sir, if you can spere me the boards
and nails I could wish them as soon as posable, as I
ham much in want of my boate to go to Sherberry.
I heave nathink more at present from your humble

servant,
his
' " GEORCE x DEAN."
mark.
<The next is a copy of a letter received from one

of the settlers :-
H

I 14 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

STO THE RIGHT HovNORABLE Jos CLARKSON,
Esq., Captain Genaral, and Commander-in-Chief in
and over the Free Colony of Searra Leone and its
dependanceys, and Vice- of the same, etc., etc.,
Whereas your Honours Memorielist Andrew Moor's
wife being brought to bed this morning and delivered
of a daughter and now stands in need of some
nourishment for her and the child, your Excellency's
Memorialist begeth that out your humanity and
geantle goodness you will take it into your honour's
consideration to give orders that she and the child
have some nourishment, such as Oat meal, Molassis, or
Shuggar. a little wine and spirits, and some Nut
meg, and your Memorialist, as in duty bound, shall
ever pray.

" N.B.-and one Ib. Candles for light."

' Copy of a letter from another settler.

<" HonoUR'D SIR,-This is a petition from the poor
woman who was so much hackled and cut by Mrs
Pace, whose husband are on board the Amy Brig-
IT sent a letter home to Mr Sharp, but has had no
answer concerning it, but as, Sir, you are our Depen-
denee, I think it my duty to aquaint you of the
treatment after leaving her own husband and intice
my own from me, | may say my life are in danger
with her whilst she still continue with him, I have
seek for satislaction but never met with none. So
Sit, I lay it in your Honor's hand to see justice done

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 15

me who is so much injured, which is past the laws of
God, therefore, I beg justice done me, from, Sir, yours,
" HanNNaAH RICHARDSON."

< Performed divine service, a full congregation, as I
had particularly stated my wish that every officer and
others capable of attending should be at church to-
day. After the sermon I addressed the congrega-
tion, and congratulated them upon the arrival of the
Samuel and Jane with supplies, and the early prospect
of the arrival of the York with additional supplies, and
a variety of comforts much wanted in the colony. I
particularly addressed the Nova Scotians upon their
want of confidence in the views of the directors,
and their extreme jealousy of the white people, and
assured them, if they did not endeavour to overcome
those ungrounded fears, and to put a little more con-
fidence in their rulers, the consequences might be of
the most fatal kind to them and to their posterity. I
then read to them part of the last dispatches, and
commented upon each part as I went along ; but as
the whole of the despatches do great credit to the
court of directors, I shall transcribe what I read to
the congregation. The directors say in their letter,
dated 12th of July, addressed to the governor and
council :-

"There is one more subject, and a very important
one, in our view, on which we wish to address you in

116 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

this letter; we mean the importance of doing //
yusiite to the free blacks from Nova Scotia, giving
them the enjoyment of British rights, and ;w/f/ling
every expectation we have raised in them, and not for-
getting, as the very best service we can render them,
to guard against every corruption of their morals, and
to promote amongst them piety and virtue. It is not
distrust of your present intentions, or suspicion of
your differing from us upon these subjects, that leads
us to this observation ; but it is rather a desire of
assuring and convincing you, that we shall fully
co-operate with you (we mean with our governor in
particular, whose sentiments as to these blacks are
already so well known to us) in your just and honour-
able views towards them. Having crossed the seas
on the faith of our promises made to them by Mr
Clarkson, you may assure them that we are deter-
mined to co-operate with him in endeavouring to
render their persons and their property safe, their
industry productive, their character respectable, their
condition in life more and more improvable, and their
future days happy. We consider them as the found-
ation of our colony. Fo their courage and fidelity
we must entrust its defence; we must, in a good
measure, trust to their industry for its growing wealth,
and in our attempt to mend the morals of, the
surrounding nations, we must trust a good deal to
their good example. To promote in them a genuine
spirit of religion, and to guard against every relaxa-

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 117.

tion of morals by all possible care and attention, must
be. therefore one main object of our governor and
council. If there are any Europeans who, either by
their principles or their practice, diffuse irreligion and
licentiousness among them, this must be considered
as a sufficient ground of dismission. I assured them
from myself, that if any European or other person
living in the colony, or its neighbourhood, not par-
ticularly belonging to the establishment, should be
guilty of any of the above practices, that I would not
allow them to continue in our district."

' Having finished reading the above extracts from
the despatches lately received from the directors, I
concluded by giving them suitable advice. The people
appeared to be highly gratified with the part of the
despatclies I read to them, and I1 was afterwards
informed by several of the officers, that they heard
them declare themselves satisfied with the way in
which the directors had expressed themselves.

CHAP R .y.
GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY-conc/uded

'PERCEIVING a very large ship in the offing, evidently
destined for this river, I concluded it must be the
York from her size, and the captain of the Same! and
Jane concurring with me in my opinion, I ordered the
Susan to be got ready, and went towards the Cape
to meet her ; but the rain prevented me, and I was
obliged to return. In the evening she anchored
opposite to the town, and proved to be the York,
Captain Hebden, last from Plymouth, with the Rev.
Melville Horne, Mr Dawes, Mr Lowes, a surgeon, and
Mr Field, a schoolmaster. .

'I had a long conversation with Mr Dawes on the
affairs of the colony, and from what I can at present
see of him, I think he will be a valuable assistant.
He appears sedate, and a man of business, and seems
impressed with the necessity of doing something in
way of trade. Most sincerely do I wish he may be
enabled to make use of the valuable articles, nearly
spoiled for the want of using. I cannot say I feel pre-

possessed with the highest opinion of Mr W-, the
118

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY MQ

new commercial agent. I am satisfied Mr Thornton's
fears were correct ; but time will prove all things.

'In all my conversation with Mr Dawes, I laid the
greatest stress upon his conduct towards the Nova
Scotians. I begged him to keep in view the peculi-
arity of his position with regard to them, and to
contrast their present with their former condition.
At the same time, I endeavoured, as well as I could,
to give him an insight into their general disposition
and character. I am pleased with Mr Dawes alto-
gether, and most anxiously hope the directors will lose
no time in sending out my second counsellor. . . .

'I am sorry to find that Mr Watt is extremely ill,
and the people in Savoy Point have in consequence
been left to themselves for the whole of this week.
The frequent relapses which the different officers
experience, greatly retard the progress of work in the
colony, and no department feels it more than that
most essential one, the accomptants. Mr Wakerell's
general health is so bad. that he has no spirit of
strength to dive into intricate and inaccurate accounts.
When he is better the clerks are ill, so that little or
no progress has been made of late in bringing them
to any kind of regular settlement Had a) very
interesting conversation with Mr Horne and Mr
Field, the schoolmaster. Both appear to me to be
valuable men. 1 feel a great relief in having . Mr
Horne to take the Sunday duty upon him, as well as
a comfort in the idea that I have so estimable a

120 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

man at hand, whose cheerful conversation will soothe
and enliven me when my spirits feel depressed. . .
'Mr Dawes is busily employed in making himself
acquainted with the general business of the colony,
previous to his taking an active part in the arrange.
ment of it. It is my intention to allow him to give
presents to the chiefs to a certain extent, to ingratiate
himself with them, and I have requested him to be
cautious how he manages the Nova Scotians, promis-
ing him I will take upon myself to scold and find
fault, and his business will be to reward and praise.

' September oth. Fine day. Performed divine service
in the morning, when I introduced Mr Horne to the
congregation as their future pastor, and gave them
admonitions suitable to the occasion. I took this
opportunity of publicly reading, as I had done the
Sunday before, that part of the despatches from the
Court of Directors, in which they express their affec-
tion and benevolence towards the black settlers. I
dwelt a long time upon the consequences likely to
arise from their extreme suspicion of white people,
and implored them to endeavour to overcome such
ungrounded fears. I asked them how they would
like, if they were in my situation, to be treated in the
way that some of them had treated me, when they
must all have known that I had but one motive in
coming here, and that the most disinterested on my
part, viz., the happiness of themselves: and their

GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY 121

families, as well as the general happiness and civilisa-
tion of Africa. More was said respecting the gratitude
they ought to show the company for the immense
expenses they had occurred on. their account. | If was
generally observed that the people appeared to be
much impressed with my discourse ; but they are very
forgetful, and no wonder, when I consider the example
set them at the commencement, and the number of idle,
dissipated characters continually coming and going in
the colony ; yet I believe there are but few dissaffected.
In the afternoon Mr Home preached to a crowded
congregation, and I resigned my clerical duties.

«September 10th. Gave to the Rev. Melville Horne all
the books and papers connected with my late situation,
such as the accounts of baptisms, marriages, ete: . . -.

'I have had several applications from the different
head men in the neighbourhood, to admit their
children into our schools; but at present we have no
accommodation to lodge them. My plan is, when
we can do it effectually, to take the native children
and lodge them with the different tradespeople, that
they may thus get an insight into the various trades,
and receive their education at the same time.. King
Naimbanna expressed himself disappointed that the
directors did not send out to him a schoolmaster, and
a good man to live with him, to teaclir him, he said.
to be a good man, to learn him and his family Book,
and to make their Acads good. . . .

122 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

Mr Horne and Mr Field are endeavouring to form
a school, and I have advised them to make use of the
temporary church, which has been occupied for a
variety of purposes since it was erected. Mr Afzelius
is looking forward to the fine weather, expecting
that his garden may make some figure. He has
had lately some pleasant and gratifying rambles
in the woods, and 1 can always tell. by his
countenance whether he has been successful or not.
The officers appear to me to draw together better
than they did since they have met at Marmony
Mall. . .

'The gardens of the settlers begin to look very
pleasing. The Nova Scotians brought out with them
a quantity of good seeds, and have been able to
furnish the officers with many vegetables, especially
cabbages, besides satisfying their own wants. The
English vegetables which #rive here best appear
as yet to be the cabbage, the whole pumpkin tribe,
purslain, sage, certain kinds of beans and margarom,
thyme, eresses, besides all tropical fruits, and some
American vegtables In many of the houses of
the settlers are seen great quantities of beef and
pork, that they have saved out of their allowance,
and hung up along the ridges of their houses to
smoke, as provisions for the time when they first
go upon their lots of land. In the skirts of the
town particularly., and also in the garcdens, are
sweet potatoes, cassada, and ground nuts in abund-

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 123

ance; rice, maize, gums, with many other esculent
tropical plants in tolerable plenty, and in many
places rich pastures for cattle: Mr Afzelius super-
intends a garden at present dedicated to culinary
purposes for the company's officers, but which will
hereafter serve for botanical experiments. . . .

'In consequence of a complaint made to me by
Mr Pepys, of his having been molested by the
natives while laying out the lots of land, from
his interfering with the native villages which lay
scattered in many parts of the company's district,
i have sent Mr Watt in the Orcar to fetch
King Naimbanna to settle the business, and have
also informed Signor Domingo, and other chiefs in
our district, that a palaver will shortly be held,
when I requested them to meet King Naimbanna
at Free Town, that the subject in dispute might
be amicably discussed. The natives, when they
sold the land, had no idea that we should ever
have occasion to go so far into the country as to
interfere with their habitations, and we were equally
surprised to find these villages in existence ; but it
the 'custom for ages for the natives to
build their dwellings in the middle of a wood, and
they pretend that the cutting down of the wood;
and surveying the land, is for the purpose of making
war on them, and they therefore would not suffer
Mrt Pepys to so on with his work. ;"...

124 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

[idle His ExcELLENCEY Johns CLARKSON, Esq.,
ete., etc.

*= TOwN, September 27, 1792.

{¢ should have taken the liberty of writing
to you much earlier in the week, but I assure you
i have been so very unwell since Saturday, that it
was entirely out of my power. What I mentioned
to you the other day, I am clearly of opinion would
be a saving to the Sierra Leone Company, that is,
the manner in which several goods are shipped for
this place, was it altered? The article of lime in
casks is sent out so badly bound, that perhaps, from
being first old casks, and from lying in the bottom of
the ship, both the voyage and a long time after their
arrival in this river, and even admit they were landed
(there being no storehouse as yet capable of receiving
them), the sun in a little time makes the hoops fly off.
Coals are sent out in the same manner, and a vast
quantity lost in the ships, landing and getting up the
hill. Now, sir, I would propose to put four iron hoops
on each cask, which would prevent this loss.

'* Provisions, either beef or pork, I observe is much
better, and retains the pickle in firon-bound casks
better than wood hoops; many times the beef and
pork in the wood-bound casks is tainted, and hardly
fit to issue.

'it Biscuits being generally stowed in a dry part of
the ship does not require iron hoops, but it ought

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 125

always to come in tight easks, and none in
bags. Flour in tight casks, to keep out. the
vermin, etc., but fone in sacks. Oatmeal, all I
have seen here is so bad and so full of vermin as
not to be fit to issue, owing, I believe, to the casks
not being tight. Barley, in the same concition.
Butter, if well pickled and not pressed in the
stowage of the ship, will keep, not otherwise.

*" Bars of lead, the casks in which they are sent
will hardly bear their own weight when new, the
heads flying out on ship-board and much loss, and
much more is lost in the landing. If they were
sent in half barrels or firkins, iron hooped, would
prevent this loss. In short, sit, musket balls, small
shot, nails, and all articles of great weight and
little bulk, require iron-bound casks. Should any
more lime be sent to this colony, please to remember
laths and hair for the mortar; it would save much
plank. Molasses are sent in such bad casks, that
they will not bear hoisting out of the ship. I
thought it my duty, sit, to lay before you these
remarks, which, if you think are of any use to the
Sierra Leone Company, I shall esteem myself very
happy.-I am respectfully, Sir, your yery obedient
humble servant, Jon WHITE."

'No one but those who were witnesses to our
distressed situation during the severe sickness, can
have the least idea of the sufferings individuals

126 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

experienced from the want of any comforts, which
we should have had in abundance, had proper care
been taken in the various articles, nor the great
loss the company has sustained from damage by
feakage; ete., etc. .}.

Having repaired to Harmony Hall accompanied
by. Mt Dawes and several of the officers, we were
soon joined by King Naimbanna, King Jemmy and
Signor Domingo, Captain Smart, Robin Dick, Pah
will, etc. etc., and the palaver commenced by the
chiefs repeating in what manner this district was
purchased by Captain Thompson, who paid the
money to King Tom, Yamacopra, and another
person, none of whom had any authority to sell
any land or to receive money for it. On this King
Naimbanna laid particular stress, but immediately
added, that, though he was not present at that
settlement, nor had received any part of the goods,
still, he would look upon the bargain as valid. He
accordingly made no further pretensions. - I , then
produced and read a copy of the agreement for the
purchase, together with a list of the various articles
paid at the time to kings and chiefs, as many did
not appear so convinced as I wished them to be;
but when I showed them the signature, with the
ratification by King Naimbanna, and asked . them
what fool-palaver this was, to buy a thing twice
over, some of them looked ashamed, but they all
laughed heartily and acknowledged that the bargain

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 127

was fairly and duly concluded, and King Naimbanna
owned that he had ratified it. This explanation
produced some merriment, and I lost no opportunity
of taking advantage of it, whenever I found I could
do it with success, The next subject was-the un-
easiness of the natives at seeing roads cut through
the country in which their towns and plantations
are situated, one of which roads they had falsely
reported to the king was intended to be carried
westward to False Cape, which they considered as
a prelude to our taking possession of the whole
Cape and country. This suspicion, however, was
easily removed; but another subject was brought
forward. The chiefs prefaced it by acknowledging
that the English had, by purchase, an undoubted
right to the district extending from St George's Bay
to the coast opposite to Gambia Island, but they
then stated the great confusion that would ensue
when our people cleared the country all around them,
and the perpetual alarms to which the natives living
within our district would be subject from their
plantations being in such an exposed situation.
For all these reasons they proposed that we should
give up the sea-coast from Fora Bay, from which
place the line of division might be drawn up the
country : this line would consequently exclude Gran-
ville Town from our possession. To indemnify the
company, they proposed as an equivalent, that
instead of twenty miles, we might go as high up

128 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

the country as we pleased. I answered that, when
I received my orders in England for coming here,
a chart was shown me, which determined the com-
pany's boundaries as they ate described in their
agreement with Captain Thompson, together with
all the purchase documents, that I was so far
accountable for preserving them, and that it would
be discreditable in me were I to lessen the district
after such an agreement had been ratified by all
parties; for with respect to the inland parts to be
given as an equivalent, they might have the same
objections, for they would probably be possessed by
other nations having plantations and towns to take
the alarm, also that great inconvenience would be
felt in the conveyance of articles to and from the
river side. I then represented that when I brought
the present settlers here, I promised them faithfully,
as I was authorised to do from Captain Thompson's
agreement, that they should have their land along
the whole extent of the river, and enjoy all the
benefits of it. "This promise I had often renewed
here, permitting the settlers to build wharfs and
quays. I should consequently fail in my., faith to
them in ceding so lamige a tract of the company's
sea coast. The chiefs could not help acknowledging
this as a reasonable argument, and would have
yielded, had not some of them had a stronger reason
on their side-self-interest. King Jemmy now began
to plead for his subjects, and wanted to have the

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 120

land-mark situated to the west of the rivulet at the
old landing-place, by which they would have the
sole benefit and command of the watering-place;
and to this he said he was more entitled, as he
thereby would recover a piece of holy ground in
our district at the head of the small water spring,
whither all the natives resort once a year to make
sacrifices to a large black snake living under one
of the trees, for the continuance of the spring, which
otherwise would dry up and distress the country.
At the same time King Jeminy urged the pay
ment of 100 bars, which, on our atrival, it was
understood by him, we had promised to pay him,
as an indemnification for some family spoons and
a gold cup taken away from his house, when the
marines of the Powmoxe, Captain Savage, with Captain
Bowie of Bunce Island, and the old settlers pillaged
his town. This demand was of so trifling a nature,
that, although I did not recollect making such a
promise, I readily agreed to it, as I wished to have
an opportunity of doing something to gratify the
natives. This present of 100 bars seemed to put
the whole company in spirits, and dinner being
announced, the palaver was broken up, and we all
proceeded to partake of it. Attending upon so large
a party was a great fatigue to me. I took every
opportunity to ingratiate myself with them, and to
convince the chiefs of our honourable and peaceable
disposition towards them. I told them we should
I

130 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

be glad to teach their children books,, and to do
all in our power to make them have good keads ;
that it was a good plan when either party felt injured,
to call a palaver, that a clear {explanation might
take place: by such conduct we should be sure
fo "live happily together and render. cach other
mutual benefits. . .

AIE has been whispered to me that our own con-
duet has been the cause of this present dispute.
Some of Mr Pepys) paty, cutting lines into the
wood, met with a rice field near Signor Domingo's
Town. They were going, in a thoughtless way, to
eut the path across the field, when the natives for-
bade them. Our people expostulated, and wanted
to go on through the rice without promising recom-
pense to the natives, because, they said, the land
belonged to our district; on which the natives com-
plained to Signor Domingo, and it was through him
that I was first acquainted with the transaction.
How cautious every offiser and man should be in
their intercourse with the natives. It is a merey
the natives did not attempt to take the law into
their own hands. If they had, no one canitell to
what it might have led ; but they have invariably
applied to me whenever they have felt themselves
injured, according to the agreement I made with
Ring Jemmy at the commencement of the colony,
when one of his men drew a knife to stab one
of the Nova, Scotians. Before the' palaver broke,

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY T3T

it was agreed that we might continue our line
beyond Granville Town, and half-way to Signor
Domingo's Town, until next palaver should decide
the -matter. . .

'Some of King Jemmy's subjects have met our
people in the woods and forbad their cutting roads.
The surveyor thought it most prudent to call his
people off, We must have the boundaries better
defined in next palaver, I understand King Jemmy
governs this peninsula almost as far as the Sherbro
country ; but in matters of consequence, he must refer
to King Naimbanna. These kings levy no taxes on
their subjects, except that each family, in time of
harvest, must bring them a present of two or three
bushels of rice. The kings subsist by trade. They
have sometimes a number of slaves, who are employed
in making plantations of rice, building, etc. Each of
these slaves, like their other subjects, brings them
three or four bushels of rice per year, perhaps also a
couple or more of fowls, a fathom of cloth, a goat, of
sheep, or the like. I understand that great difference
is made between purchased slaves and their children
born in their master's service. These latter, though
in effect belonging to their masters, are, however,
never sold by them any more than their own children,
unless for very heavy crimes. They always call their
master 'Father,' and are considered as his children.
All slaves appear at liberty to carry on trade, make
plantations, and do whatever they please, only giving

132 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

their masters in the proportion above mentioned, but
they must provide. their own subsistence. I under-
stand the dominions of King Naimbanna extend from
this river up to Rokelle and the interior country east-
ward about two and a half days' journey, reckoned at
forty miles per day, and southward towards Sherbro
four or five days' journey. The power of King Naim-
banna is absolute, though in matters of consequence
he does not appear to like deciding without the con-
currence of the inferior chiefs in the country ; but if
he grows angry with them, they will all submit to his
opinion, and pay their homage and obeisance before
him, kneeling down and laying both hands on the
ground before or on his feet, or kneeling and at the
same time touching the ground with their elbows; or
else one hand on the ground and the other on their
head, bending the head profoundly. It is the interest
of the king not to appear absolute, but rather to procure
a majority of votes on his side. The kings have some
profit, but much trouble, in settling palavers, both
between white people and those of their own colour.
I was informed to-day, by a man who spoke good
English, that royalty is not in general sought after
with great eagerness ; it is looked upon as an arduous
and troublesome office, and declined if possible; and
it often happens that a man is made king by main
force, the people generally catching and arresting the
heir-apparent on the death of his predecessor lest he
should run away. It is said Signor Domingo was

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 133

chosen King of Rokelle, where he lately resided, but
not wishing to accept the office, he escaped and settled
here. Should he ever return he would be caught and
made king! As none but old men are eligible, it
rarely happens that the king's son succeeds his father.
More generally it is his brother, or, in failure of these,
a more distant relation. King Naimbanna will not be
succeeded by John Frederic, now in England, till after
two intermediate kings have reigned. . . .

'October 5th. Having made up my mind to leave
Mr Dawes with the charge of the colony for a time,
that he may be better prepared to take the manage-
ment of it, should I find myself at liberty to return to
England, I have necessarily been much occupied of
late in drawing out instructions, or, more properly
speaking, little memoranda, for his guidance. As the
Catherine will sail for England with despatches to-
morrow, and I have not had time to prepare my letter
for Mr Thornton, I shall accompany her to a certain
distance. Mr Falconbridge, who appears to me to be
in a dying state, fancies a little sea air may do him
good,. - I shall therefore take the Ocear with us, that
he may have her to himself Mr Dunkin will likewise
accompany us, that the sick gentleman may have
proper medical assistance. Mr Grey has all his books
and papers packed up, and he will proceed on board
the Amy this evening, with Mr Wakerel]. . . .

< For the last week my evenings have been employed

134 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

in visiting the huts of some of the leading men among
the Nova Scotians, to charge them to pay attention
to Mr Dawes, and not to suffer those of an unruly
spitit to trouble him. I have also desired Mr Dawes
to be upon his guard in his conduct towards the
settlers, but I shall transcribe the substance of my
letter to him. Feeling life extremely uncertain, and
seeing people dying around me almost daily, I thought
it prident to state what occurred to me in almost
every trifling affair relating to the colony, as a guide
to Mr Dawes, should anything happen to me during
my absence. . .

Extract from letter to Mr Dawes :-

respect to our own people, they are very,
difficult to be managed, which you will not wonder
at, when you consider how the generality of them
have been treated from their infancy. As you may
probably not be acquainted with every circumstance,
I will endeavour, as briefly as I can, to inform you,
You must know, then, that these people were formerly
slaves in America, and during their servitude many
of them were treated with the greatest barbarity. In
consequence of the war in America, and a proclama-
tion from the British army offering freedom to any
slave who would desert from his master and join the
British® troops, the present colonists, with several
others, took every opportunity of leaving their oppres-
sors, in hopes of finding a happy asylum under the

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 133

protection of the British army. At the conclusion of
the war, from their fidelity and bravery, the English
nation were determined to reward them for their ser-
vices, and put themselves to an enormous expense
in transporting them and their families from the
American provinces to New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia. Upon their arrival, they were promised a
certain quantity of land and provisions for three
years, with every other encouragement, such as imple-
ments of husbandry, a musket each, and various other
things, for the purchase of which Government actually
paid. When I tell you that upwards of three thou-
sand people embarked for Nova Scotia, you will be
surprised to hear that not three hundred got their
promises performed; and that, although I brought
with me twelve hundred people, yet the majority of
those who remained in America are at this moment
working upon the lands of white men in a species of
slavery ; for they are obliged to cultivate the ground
of another man, while he pays them by allowing them
part of the produce-say, a few bushels of potatoes
half-yearly, when they have had more right to the
ground than the man who claimed it. . . .

« As soon as the blacksmiths' and carpenters' shops
are erected in the great yard you have wattled in, I
think it would not be amiss to select a few boys, and
to bind them as apprentices to the different trades.
One of the captains named has had my permission to
take one of the matives as an apprentice, and I have

136 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

promised him, if he pays attention to the boy and
behaves well to him, that I will maintain him for the
first year. I am willing to grant the same indulgence
to others to a certain extent, as an inducement to
industry. If John Gray would take two boys as
bricklayers, I would maintain them, provided you
give a good account of his treatment and attention to

19

them,. . ...

uvifk. When the storekeeper was in-
structed not to give credit to the people beyond
a certain sum, he was not forbidden to issue out
to them any quantity of articles they might be
able to fa jor (This has led to some incon-
venience. There seems to be a general spirit for
commercial pursuits throughout the colony, and
the natives, and those of the Nova Scotians who
have saved a little money, appear to be dealing
beyond what we could have expected. The con-
sequence is that, in their little speculations, they
make a great profit; their demands upon the
storehouse appear to increase daily, and are the
means of introducing into the colony a quantity of
liquor, highly prejudicial to the morals of the place.
It is much to be desired that the people should get
upon their lands as soon as possible, for, unless
the spirit of trade, which ensures gain and laziness
to the settlers, is superseded by the more useful
one of agriculture, it will not only be injurious to

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 137

the company, but very detrimental to the morals
and happiness of the public. ... .

'We are now tormented with ants which in great
numbers penetrate the houses and swarm over
everything. At these times, crickets, cockroaches,
spiders, etc., are driven out of their crevices and
jump about the floor in a distressing situation
amongst their enemies. The- large black ants con-
quer every living animal, and devour it, unless it
escapes by flight, but the red ants, which swarm in
frees like wasps, are their fatal enemies, A few
of the red ants put a host of the others to flight
in a moment. As it is impossible to turn these
swarms of black ants either to the right or to the
left, when the settlers see that their course is
directed through their houses, they have recourse to
fire or scalding water with which they attack them
as they are pouring along the ground like a rivulet.

'October zoth. As one of the gentlemen was
going out of his house this afternoon, he heard
something falling from the thatch, and on turning
round saw a green snake about six feet long, and
two or three fingers thick, winding deliberately
along the floor. He called for help, but the snake
escaped. This snake had been frightened up into
the roof by the ants, but being closely pursued
by them, he was obliged to descend. . . .

'The settlers besin to be successful in raising

138 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

poultry, pigs, etc., and if we go on as we have
done for the last fortnight, we may expect a
tolerable supply of these articles, with eggs in
abundance, Mr Pepys and his men are making
great progress in laying out the lots of land. He
certainly is doing his work in a masterly way, and
seems to understand it perfectly. The other depart-
ments are making progress, and I find, as the people
and officers are employed, more unanimity prevails
in'the colons. ... ..

'These few days past we have been visited by
Canba, a Mandingo Marraboo (priest), and his
family, of Porto Logo. This nation is as strict in
Mahometanism as the Turks themselves. Canba
imagines that this place ranks next in holiness to
Mecca and Medina, since no slave lives or is sold
here! - For this reason he performs his religious
ceremonies in the same manner he would do at
either of those places, by kissing the ground on
which he sits repeatedly and devoutly, praying on
a goats skin. I had a Jong conversation with this
man, who speaks tolerably good English, and at
some future period hope to make use-sof him
and his influence, * to get information from the
interior of Africa, by sending two. or three in-
telligent Nova Scotians with him on his next visit
to or Haussa, and keeping his wile

* Mahometan priests have the privilege of passing through contend

ing armies without molestation.

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 1 3Q

and children in the colony as a kind of security
for their safe return. I hinted such an idea to
him, promising a sum of money for conducting
those I might wish to send, and double the sum
if he brought them back safe. He readily fell in
with my plan. - Probably great good might be
derived from sending one of the gentlemen with
this priest, but his chance of being able to bear
the fatigue and inconvenience of such a journey
would be much against him, and more real good
might be derived from sending one of the settlers,
whose habits and constitution would be more
suited to the hardships of the undertaking. I am
satisfied the directors have erred in attempting too
much at first, for information respecting the interior
of Africa and civilisation in general must only be
expected by very gradual means. . . .

'Sunday, November ath. Divine service in the
morning. In the afternoon Mr Horne, Mr Dawes
and myself, with several officers, and a number of
the Nova Scotians, went up. with the tide to
Granville Town, when Mr Horne performed divine
service there to a large congregation. In the
evening we returned by moonlight, the weather
calm and serene, all the company in the boats
joining in singing hymns and praises to God for
the mercies bestowed upon us, and for the blessings
likely to arise to the poor pagan inhabitants of

140 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

this unhappy country. Many of the Nova Scotian
women have fine voices, and sing the hymns with
great feeling. . . .

«November 6th. The colony gains strength daily.
Poultry abounds about every house. About a dozen
fishing boats are employed daily, which furnishes a
good supply ; but these boats enable the people to
board strange ships, go to Bunce Island, and occa-
sionally visit Gambia Island, where they are supplied
with rum, which I am sorry to find is now sought
after by many of the colonists, who were sparing in
the use of it when we first arrived in this country.
This. may be attributed to their not having had
their lands to occupy their time, and to the bad
example set them at the commencement of the
colony ; but it is an evil gaining ground, and must
be checked. . . .

Wovermber 3th. - This morning I went on one
of the adjacent hills to see how far Mr Pepys had
cleared, and as many of the people had drawn for
their lots of land, I gave to several of them their
grants.. We dined on 'the hill, which I named
# Mirectorys and from thence enjoyed the rich-
est prospect over the sea, river, and country. Indeed,
it is too beautiful for me to describe. It cost us
much labour to. ascend the hill, on account of its
craggy steepness On our way we went down to

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GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY Tq41

a brook to take some luncheon, and refresh our-
selves. This spot was enchanting. The brook was
obstructed by large rocks, and in one place the
water spread over a flat piece of rock in the most
romantic manner. Above this the rocks formed
cascades, which, seen through some trees, had a
most beautiful effect. The whole of this day was
dedicated to rejoicing, and I had much conversation
with. many of the people,. but particnlarly with
those who attended me to the top of the hill, rela-
tive to the prospects of happiness then before them,
and how much it would depend upon themselves,
whether they and their children were happy in their
new situation, and whether this settlement would
have a beneficial influence over the surrounding
neighbourhood. When dinner was announced, I
proceeded with several of the officers to the tent.
Previous to my setting off upon this expedition, I
had given directions to have the guns prepared at
the fort, as well as on board the company's ships, to
take up the salute I intended to fire, after I had
given the first toast after dinner. Maving finished
our repast, the people attending me, amounting to
more than sixty men (employed in laying out the
lots of land), being prepared with their muskets
loaded, I gave the following toast:-" The Sierra
Leone Company, and success to their virtuous exer-
tions; and may we, the inhabitants of Free Town
and Granville Town, be the instruments under

142 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

Providence of spreading the blessings of Christian
knowledge through this unenlightened and unhappy
country."

"As soon as I had given this toast, the» people
found the tent fired three distinct volleys, and all
present gave three hearty cheers, When this was
ended, the fort took up the salute, and the inhabit-
ants of Free Town gave three cheers, and afterwards
each ship in the company's service did the same,
which had a beautiful effect. The fort and the ships
in the river having their colours flying. The thing
altogether was well conducted, and I have no doubt
made an impression npon the whole neighbourhood.
I take every opportunity of showing the natives
the armed power we possess, by firing salutes upon
particular occasions, and when I wish to show the
head people attention. I know it has been at-
tended with great advantage to us, and the rejoic-
ing of this day will not be lost upon them. In
the evening other toasts were given, particularly
ONE, attended with rapturous cheering, firing, etc. . . .

'NWovember iqthk. Al the European cattle are
dead, except one calf. Asses thrive better here,
Mr Watt, whom I lately sent to examine the land
as far up as Gambia Island, gives 'but a modet.
ate account of it as to the cultivation of sugar,
but he reports it very good for cotton and indigo.
I also sent him over to examine the land lon

GOVERNOR CLARKSON's DIARY 143

the Bullom shore, on the other side of the river.
This, he reports, is calenulated to answer every
purpose, and he speaks of the soil, and his re-
ception with rapture. I shall take an early oppor-
tunity of making ourselves better acquainted
with the country and inhabitants on the Bullom
side. ; .

+Numerous complaints have been made to me
to-day from the people who received their lots of
land on the 13th instant, informing me of various
inconveniences. Some told me they had drawn
their lots at a distance from their intimate friends,
and others, that their land was all rocky and not
fit for cultivation I have tried to reconcile. them
all, by telling those who have actually drawn an
unproductive lot, that I will endeavcdur to make
it up with an additional piece elsewhere; and those
who are separated from their friends, that I will
allow of an exchanse, if it can be (done consist-
ently, P fee! it a duty I owe to the sctticrs to do
what I can to meet their wishes, if they are not
whimsically made. It is attended probably with a
little additional trouble, but it has its effect in
the end: . . .

November 16th. Busy in getting everything in
order, preparatory to my leaving the colony. | It
is my constant business of an evening to go about
to the meeting-houses of the settlers and inculcate

144 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

in their minds an affection towards Mr Dawes, who,
though a worthy and skilful man, has not as yet
gained their confidence. He appears too serious
and formal-which is not the manner best calcu-
lated to win the affection of men who have been
deceived through life, and who are suspicious to
a great degree of the conduct of white men in
general. . .--

November arsis. 'Ilmis: morning anchored the
Felicity with despatches from London. - Cloudy,
cool morning. Thermometer 88 degrees-hazy on
the mountains and all round the horizon. My
friend, Captain Wickham, who commands the Fe/zcity,
was directed to call at Gambia for cattle, and he
has brought us a supply of different sorts. I have
received a long and beautiful letter from Mr Thorn-
ton, replying to my various complaints on different
subjects, particularly as to the management of the
directors in forming the original government; and
although he has in many instances justified their
conduct to my satisfaction, yet he has not entirely
done so in all. But of this. I am fully _convineed,
that the directors, in all they have done, have been
guided by the purest motives. In the public letter,
they inform this government that they are about
to send out buildings of various descriptions by the
Sierre Lcome Packet, expected. to sail about this
time, which will preclude our going on with the

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 145

storehouse in Susan's Bay. They have also passed
a resolution permitting me to return to Europe, if
I think the colony can be left in safety, and in that
case (as a compliment to me) they forbid. any other
person coming home in the same vessel. A more
decided. dismissal 'of Falconbridge has .beenm sent
by: this ~conveyafice. The- Ae/seity's 'eargo does: not
appear to be well selected, considering our wants ;
she has brought out an immense number of garden
watering pots, which seem to occasion a smile from
everyone. !....

Wrote to? Captain Pattison to, request: him.:to
send Mr Grey an account 'of «everymarticle. that
has been expended /or my. 'wse out of 'the :cargo
under . his . charge,; begging. - him. to cspecifys the
quantities, and also, if he had purchased any goods
for me at.. the retail, shop,; tou send an account: of
the money and what was bought with it, to enable
Mc Grey to make out _ my account before I quit
the colony. .-. .

b 2314. . This evening. Mr Dawes. and
Mr. Watt returned. from, the Bullom shore, having
agreed to rent a square, mile of land for 100 bars
per annum of the Bullom King, whose name is
Naimbanna, a friend of our good old king of the
same name. The people there are desirous that we
should settle amongst them. A house is to be
built for Mr Watt,, and. the king to find. him as

K

146 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

many grumettas or labourers as he may want. The
soil is tolerably adapted for sugar; a trial will be
made, and if it answers we are promised more
ground.... ..

(Sunday, November 2stk Divine service. Mr
Mome pointed out to-day in his sermon the
practical duties of Christianity, and enforced his
arguments with great energy. Our black preachers
require instruction.  Fhey have had. their use in
keeping the people together, and it has been prin-
cipally through them, that I have had so. much
influence over the minds of the others. I am
continually telling Mr Horne that he could be
more profitably employed in giving up a portion
of his time to their instruction, than by going
amongst the natives. who do not understand
English | I wish I could induce him to. think so
himself. . . .

'We have now learnt the reason why European
cattle, goats and pigs will not live here to
graze at large. A free grows about the settlement
which produces a. small fruit resembling a plum,
the pulp of which may be eaten with safety, but
the kernel and leaves are a mortal poison, and
used 'by the inhabitants to poison each other;
cattle and goats will eat the leaves, and pigs the
kernels . a.

{I have made a point of visiting the settlers on

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 147

shore every evening, and have taken the streets
regularly, so that people expect me and stay at
home when they think their street will be visited.
My sole view in these visits is to converse with
every individual in his turn, and to endeavour to
impress upon the minds of the whole colony favour-
able ideas respecting Mr Dawes, for some of them
have been prejudiced against him, not being ac-
quainted with his real disposition. - These poor
people, swspicious in the Aighest degree, mistake the
serious and sedate conduct of this gentleman for
pride and want of feeling towards them, and from
their ignorance cannot be prevailed upon to believe
that he has their interest at heart. Most sincerely
do I hope the colonists will be induced to show Mr
Dawes more attention, and place more confidence
in him, and also that he will endeavour to unbend
a little, and try to show his good intentions by
a little more-conciliation. .. . ..

'As the time approaches for my leaving the
colony, I cannot but be anxious for its well-doing
after I am gone, and seeing the prevalence of drunk-
enness and other disorders in Free Fown, I have,
for the last ten days, employed myself in putting
to paper what I consider will be good and whole-
some advice for the colonists, and purpose, with
the permission of Mr Horne, to occupy his pulpit
to-morrow, that I may deliver to them all the best
advice in my power as to their future conduct, and

148 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

take leave of them generally. I have given notice
on the storehouse door, and by other public an-
nouncements, of my intention of addressing them
to-morrow. . . .

'December 16th Sunday. Although I have been
accustomed to read the prayers and a sermon for
many months, yet the idea of taking a public leave
of the whole colony has excited sensations which I
cannot describe, and I felt a dread of ascending the
pulpit which I had never felt before; but as I con-
sidered it 'a duty, I could not but embrace the last
opportunity in my power of admonishing them and
giving them some wholesome advice. The chapel or
place of worship was as full as it could well be, and
those who could not get in sat on the outside under
an awning. Mr Horne read the prayers and selected
hymns suitable to the occasion, which were sung with
great feeling and had a great effect upon the con-
gregation.* I thought it my duty to be very plain
with them, I pointed out their faults with mildness,
but without disguise Many of them felt stung by
the truth, and there were several who could -not stand
it and went away. Some of them. I fear, ars too fat
gone to be reclaimed, until they have received a long
lesson in the school of adversity. ' They have enjoyed
more prosperity than they were ever accustomed to

* The Nova Scotians, both men and women, are considered good
singers, and they are in general admired by all who hear them.

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 149

before, it has come upon them too suddenly, and it
has been too much for them to bear with humility.
They were almost naked when they were in Nova
Scotia, and in the most deplorable condition, and now
they are well clothed, but for want of having their
lands to go upon when we first arrived, together with
the confusion existing from the want of a steady
government, they became lazy, and, in consequence,
were soon corrupted by the evil insinuations of
abandoned persons. Although some few left the
chapel, yet I hope they were all benefited by my
discourse, and many, very many, felt greatly affected.
Mr Horne preached in the afternoon, and in equally
strong colours pointed out their vices, and the conse-
quences likely to attend them, unless there was a
steady amendment. In the course of the day I
received a letter from one of the Nova Scotians,
which I think justice to him requires me to record.
I shall therefore transcribe it, particularly as the feel-
ing which dictated it was not confined to himself ; for
upon my quitting the chapel, numbers crowded to
shake hands with me, and to thank me for the good
advice I had given them.

*" FREE Town, Decemoder 161k, 1792.
{# HONNEREEEL SIR/-I reproved of your sermon
very much. I am very much oblig to your honer for
your good advice this day of our Lord, and I hope it will
pleas the God of heaven to bliss you safe over the see

150 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

to your home, and I hope it will pleas God to bring
you safe here agin to rule over ous all. Sir, I hope
Mr Clarkson won't frown on all for this bad behavyer
this day of leaving the church, as for my part I love
the and fear the, and am sorry to part from the. I
hope from the bottom of my heart that God will blis
you for ever, for your goodness to ous all.-I remain
your humble servant, Eiry

Went by appointment to take leave of King Naim-
banna, accompanied by Mr Dawes. The king had
prepared a dinner and received me with great cordi-
ality. We passed a pleasant day, it was particularly
so to me, for I felt convinced of the king's kind inten-
tions towards us, and it is my private opinion, that
the happy thought of sending out his son's picture,
which I am told is an exact likeness, has done more
in our favour than the most sanguine of us could have
expected. The king expressed his delight at the
picture, and often, when he looked at it, I perceived
the tears in his eyes. He had sent for one of the
Mahometan priests to meet me, and had also pre-
pared a charm to protect me safely over the sea,
which he must have purchased off one of the priests.
He gave it me with great tenderness, and expressed
his regret at my leaving the country, but trusted that
what he had given me would ensure my safe return to
Africa. - He asked me for my picture, and assured me
he would be a good friend to Mr Dawes and the

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY $51

Sierra Leone Company. The priest who was present
wrote me an additional charm and gave it me him-
Self. After many reciprocal acts of kindness, I took
my leave both of the king and old queen, with the
others of his household, and it was easy to perceive
their feelings on the occasion. The king made me a
present of a fat bullock, which I propose for Christ-
mas Day's dinner for the colony. . . .

'As I expected this to be the last Sunday I should
be in the colony, I felt my spirits a little depressed,
for my anxiety is great for the well-doing of the
settlement. With respect to Africa, I see no difficul-
ties, as I feel confident I could always keep friends
with the natives ; and as to the climate, it certainly
appears to me as good as that of the West Indies.
Imprudent people will suffer in climates of this kind,
but a man of an even temper, with his mind occupied
and his bodily labours not excessive, may do well
here. The management of the Nova Scotians is what
I most dread. I know some of the officers (particu-
larly Mr P ) have considered my conduct as too
mild, and that in many instances I have not been
sufficiently firm, to compel them to do what is right.
But he and others who may think so are much mis-
taken. The accomplishment of the views of the
Sierta Leone Company will, in. a great measure,
depend upon the management of the population
entrusted to them. They are the sinews of the state.
The peculiarities of their character, and their differ-

 

$132 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

ent situations in life are well known, and they there-
fore require all the qualifications of a Christian to win
them to their duty. I know from experience that
they may be led to agree to any proposition, if time
is allowed them to understand that it is correct; and
the best part of the community will support the
government against the bad, if their confidence is
gained by a just.and honourable conduct. . . .

Alt is not possible for me to express my sen-
sations while the list of deaths was being read. It
brought to my recollection such scenes of horror
and distress, such complicated misery, and at the
same time such effusions of gratitude, for having been
preserved through so severe a visitation, that my
spirits were so depressed, I could not recover myself
for the whole day. I find, of the original white
people who arrived at the commencement of the
colony to the present time, we have lost sixty-one
out of ninety-three, just two-thirds of the whole.. Of
the Nova Scotians we lost on the voyage sixty-five,
and since our arrival to this day one hundred and
one, making the whole loss of Nova Scotians since
we left Halifax to amount to one hundred and sixty-
six, about one-seventh of the whole. With respect
to the loss of the Nova Scotians, I do not consider
it so great as might have been expected, from the
situation in which many of them were placed, not
having any effective shelter during the heavy rains,
and all the medical sentlemen being so ill as not

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY $33

to be able to do common justice to them. Added
to this, the articles sent out for their nourishment,
although ample in quantity, were, from neglect in
packing, and other causes, so damaged, as to be in
many instances not fit for use. However, when I
reflect upon all that has passed, I am most truly
thankful that it has pleased God to preserve those
that remain, and that the colony at this time is
getting so healthy., ....

© No one can have an idea how much the impositions
on the company have affected me, not only with
respect to the inconvenience and disappointment it
occasions us, but it gives me such a bad opinion
of the management at home, which, if continued,
must end in ruin. Sometimes an officer will observe
to me, that in all companies at their commencement
irregularities and impositions will occur, and are not
to be avoided. I only know that, when I had the
fitting out of fifteen vesssels, I not only inspected
their outfit, but examined every article of provisions.
I was blamed by some of my best friends at the time
for being so minute, when so much was to be done.
My reply was, I am going to cross the sea with a
cargo of Zuman beings, I am going to a country where
I cannot go to a store to recruit any stock, there-
fore, as I am limited to three months' provisions, I
am determined to see that what I take is really good,
as the government pays the best price for it. . . .

'The people of the colony having contributed to

I 54. GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

my stock of provisions for the voyage, by one giving
me an egg or eggs, another a chicken, another
pigs, and other various kinds of vegetables, fruit,
efc., I could not resist the pleasure of once more
calling from house to house to take leave, and press
upon them the necessity of putting confidence in
their officers, and conducting themselves properly and
gratefully to the Sierra Leone Company, as the only
means of extending the blessing. of civilization to
their unhappy brethren of this large continent. The
expressions of gratitude, affection and respect uttered
by the whole colony was more than I could bear;
and when many of the poor widows expressed their
gratification they had felt in being allowed to add
their little mite to my sea stock, by giving me an
egy each, I could not refrain from tears. All I1
required of them in return for what little service I
had done them was, that they should act in such a
way as to do me credit, and themselves and their
posterity a lasting benefit. . ...

'Having taken leave of all the officers, at three
o'clock, I ordered the Felicity to be got under weigh.
As soon: as the anchor was out of the ground, the
fort began to salute, and having fired fifteen guns,
all the officers and people (for the whole colony was
assembled) waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and
gave three hearty cheers "Ihe Ay and Y¥orZ con-
tinued saluting till an accident occurred on board

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY I5 5

the Amy, occasioned by one of the men looking
into- the gun after 'it was loaded, and as it had
not been well spunged out, it took fire and blew
him overboard. All endeavours were made to save
him, but in vain. - This deplorable .accident, the
whole of which I had seen myself, so affected me,
that I could not allow the salute to be returned,
neither would I1 suffer the to proceed to
sea, but desired she might be quietly dropped down
with the tide, until she got a few miles from the
settlement, where we anchored for the night, in order
to show a concern and a respect appropriate to the
solemn oceasion. . . .

'The Felicity being now under weigh, and the
officers who had accompanied me thus far from the
colony, having left her, we saluted them with six
guns and proceeded to sea. I found I could hot
recover my spirits for some time, and when I
reflected upon the kindness and gratitude shown
to me by the settlers sencrally, I could not but
feel the greatest anxiety for their well doing,
hoping that I might live to see the colony in a
flourishing state, calculated to answer all the inten-
tions for which it was formed. For the first nine
days we experienced calms and very light airs,
principally against us; we had then variable weather,
and after a pleasant passage of six weeks, con-
sidering the time of year, we arrived at Dartmouth,
where I landed on Tuesday, the 1oth February, and

156 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

on the following day wrote a letter to Mr Thornton
and to each of the directors, the copy of which is
as follows :-

*** DARTMOUTH, Wednesday, 11th February 1793.

' "My DEAR SIR®,-It has pleased God to permit
me once more to land safe and in perfect health
on my native shore. It gives me great pleasure
to inform you, that I left the colony on the 31st
December last in perfect health; I believe not
one person was dangerously ill. The fine weather
had commenced, and to make short, I believe all
the difficultics of forming a new colony were at
an end. Our loss from the time we left America
to the day we sailed has not been so great as I
had reason to expect. . I believe (but as I have
not got the exact accounts out of my tmink, I
cannot speak to a certainty) that we had when I
left the colony upwards of 1ozs of the Nova
Scotians, including the births If you have not
sent out provisions by the Sierra Leone Packet,
your. colony will be in great distress; we had
about one week's provision left when I quitted
Sierra Leone. - The //z:t» can. be ready for
sea in four days after her arrival I have put into
her some camwood, ivory, gum, etc., as ballast, as
I did not think it safe to cross the sea in her at
this. time of the year with a. full cargo.. I have

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 157

now only time, as the post is going out, to transcribe
myself, most affectionately and sincerely yours,
"JOHN CLARKSON,

'"*To Henty Thornton, Esq..

Soon after I sent my letters off, I proceeded with
my valuable friend and secretary, Mr J. Beckett, to
London, and arrived there on the 13th February.
As we drove through Piccadilly, we called upon an
old friend of mine, and after hearing that my family
were all well, we proceeded to Old Palace Yard. to
call upon Mr Wilberforce. The cordial and affec-
tionate way in which I was received by him was
very gratifying, and I had the pleasure of finding
him in better health than when I left England.
Having stayed with him a short time, we next pro-
ceeded to King's Arms Yard, Coleman Street, to
see Mr Thornton, when he obligingly asked me to
take up my quarters at his house. I soon after had
an opportunity of seeing all the directors, and was
most kindly, as well as affectionately received, by
them all, and thus my mission closed.

'The following extracts from M. Afzelius' letter
brings the news of the colony down to September

a: 1793 :=

''The climate is very unlike that of Europe, but
by no means bad, much less dangerous than many
imagine. There is a sort of acid in the air, which

158 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

has a bad effect on European constitutions. - Leather
moulds and spoils, iron and steel rust, and are
corroded, silver itself turns black; veneered and
glued works fall to pieces, and this as well in the
dry as in the wet season. . However, with a good
constitution, prudent diet, guarding against sun and
rain, and, in case of indisposition, immediately using
efficacious remedies, suppressing all strong passions,
such as chagrin, discontent, etc. (for in hot climates
the mind appears to have a stronger influence over
the body than in cold), there is no doubt but that you
may live as long, as well, and as happy here as in
Europe, having good houses, conveniences, etc.

'Mr Macaulay, the second in council, who arrived
a week or two after your departure, is a very clever
and sensible man, an elegant writer of great ap-
plication, and, besides, Just of the same turn of mind
as Mr Dawes. - Thus they live together upon the most
intimate terms, and this harmony I consider as very
beneficent to the colony. The old town is enlarged,
and already entirely built. The new one is also laid
out upon a more extensive plan, and goes so far as to
the nearest hill, where a fortification is to be erected.
A great number of new buildings are raised, some-
what better than the former, but many are still
remaining in their old spots, and will probably not
be removed before the next dry season. When we
came away, both Europeans and settlers were re-

GOVERNOR CLAEKSON'S DIARY 15Q

markably healthy; and I believe there are scarcely ten
sick persons in the whole colony. The fowls have in-
creased amazingly ; the goats and hogs are pretty
numerous. Muscovy and common ducks have bred
several times, particularly the former ; but the sheep,
turkeys and geese, seem not to thrive so well, ex-
cept the Chinese geese, as being natives of a hotter
climate. They have had many young, and are,
besides, a more delicate eating than our common
geese. By several vessels sent on purpose up and
down the coast, there have been introduced a great
number of cattle in the colony, many of which are
still alive, going about and grazing in the fields and
savannahs. They grow often very fat, and I have
been eating in new Free Town as good beef-steak as
Miever tasted in old England. 'The bullocks are
already used to carry home timber and wood from
the mountains The fifth part of the country or
farm lots are now laid out ; but of these there is
scarcely a fourth part fit to be cultivated, the soil
being only stones, cliffs and rocks ; the owners of
which, no wonder, bitterly complain of their having
been deceived. Some of the settlers who have got
fertile farms nearest the town have thither removed
their houses, and thus the Savoy Point will soon be
inhabited. On the other side, between Free Town and
King Jemmy's, there is also a new settlement, con-
sisting of five or six families, who have bought their
ground from the king. My garden now is in a fine

©'160 CONMERNOR CLARKSON DIARY

order, filled with African fruit trees and European
garden plants. I. was grieved to leave it just in the
rising of its glory, and I feared it should be neglected,
but both Mr Dawes and Mr Macauley promised me
solemnly that great care should be taken of every-

>

thing in it... ..

Extracts of Governor Clarkson's Farewell Sermon
and Conluding Prayer.

'Liberty! Liberty, is one of the greatest blessings
to a human being, if practised as it ought to be; and
the greatest curse when it operates otherwise,. The
meaning of the word liberty is to be free; (but
obedient to the laws of your country, particularly
when those laws are enacted for the general happi-
ness of mankind. If we had no laws for our guide,
there would be no such thing as living in this world.
Every man of strength would oppress the weak, and
in short, nothing but murders, theft, and everything
that may be termed wicked, would be daily practised
by people who wish to be considered as Christians,
and who expect the reward which Christianity offers
to all those who practise it sincerely.

'But how can a man be a Christian if he is a
drunkard, a fornicator, a thief, an adulterer, an ex-
tortioner ? or if he does not in every respect act up
to the principles of his religion? Give me leave to
remind you of the duties of a Christian. The first

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 161

duty is to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,
with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and to love
your neighbour as yourself ; to do to every man, whom
you may have occasion to deal with, in a manner you
would wish him to do to you in the same circum-
stances ; to be merciful upon every occasion, either as
a private man or in a public capacity, to those whose
situation may sometimes entitle you to be their
judge; ito: be grateful, to 'be obedient, industrious,
slow to anger, and ready to forgive every man his
trespasses against you, knowing that your heavenly
Father is merciful, and will, if you ask in sincerity,
forgive you your trespasses ; and, in short, to let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
If you will practise your Christian duties with sin-
cerity, I will promise you not only happiness in this
world, but to all:eternity. . '..

'I have mentioned, that one of the duties of a
Christian is to be industrious, because by being in-
dustrious he gives himself an opportunity of being
just. You must consider that God in His wisdom,
for some wise purpose unknown to us, has ordained
different ranks of society. Some men are born rich,
others poor, others cripples, others are afflicted with
various diseases, but Heaver is oper to all. Some
men are born to be rulers over others, to be their in-
structors and advisers, and others are created for a
more laborious employment ; but you must all re-

L

162 GOvYvERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

collect, that according to our various employments,
we are bound to give an account of our actions,
Where much is given, much is required ; and I
must confess that the humble labourer, who retires in
the evening to rest his wearied limbs, and partakes
of his humble fare with a grateful heart, and a perfect
resignation to the will of Heaven, that man's situation
I pronounce to be an enviable one.. Believe me, the
rich man who never thinks of anything but riot and
dissipation, has not half the enjoyment of a grateful
peasant. - He cannot bear to be alone, fearing at some
intervals he may be induced to reflect upon his situa-
tion as a man, knowing that as much has been given
to him more will be required of him. I say, he dare
not reflect, and I likewise say, that the reflections of
a sincere Christian are more gratifying than any en-
joyment this world can produce. .

'You will now fully understand the motives that
induced his majesty to put the nation to such an
expense as he has done on your accounts ; and like-
wise the motives of the Sierra Leone Company, in
putting themselves to double, if not five times, the
expense of government ; but fearing you should not,
I will explain it. In the first place, what induced
Government? - I say, gratitude to. you for your
services to them during the late war. They knew
you had boldly stood forth to defend iZeir cause,
and they were determined to perform one of their
Christian duties to you for having assisted them, by

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 163

showing you they were grateful. What induced the
Sierra Leone Company to stand your friends, and to
make you the offers they have done? and to put
themselves to such immense expenses on your
account? I must tell you it was their duty as
Christians that induced them. They, as I / have
mentioned before, had heard of your afflictions, and
as God had been bountiful to them, not only in
worldly riches, but what is still of greater conse-
quence, in endowing them with a share of heavenly
grace, they boldly stood forward in hopes of making
their conduct pleasing to their Creator and gratify-
ing to themselves, " by doing to others as they would
have wished men to have done by them," had they
been in your situation. This was one of their in.
ducements relative to you, but they had another of
still greater consequence, which was to enable you to
be the instruments under Providence of spreading
the light of Christian knowledge through this un-
enlightened and unhappy country, so that the fate
of millions now existing, groaning under the severity
of barbarism, possessed of the same feelings as our.
selves, and millions yet unborn, may be made not
only happy now, but happy to all eternity, by the
good example of a few individuals. .

(I must now bid you farewell, and may the Lord
bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon
you, and may He be gracious unto you ; may He lift
up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

164 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S$ DIARY

Concluding Prayer.

'O Lord, I beseech Thee favourably to hear the
prayer of him who wishes to be Thy servant, and
pardon him for presuming to address Thee from this
sacred place. O God, I know my own infirmity and
unworthiness, and I know Thine abundant mercies to
those who wish to be guided by Thy will. Support
me, © Lord, with Thy heavenly grace, and so enable
me to conduct myself through this earthly life, that
my actions may be consistent with the words I have
uttered this day. Thou knowest that | am now
about to depart from this place, and to leave the
people whom it has pleased Ihee to entrust to my
care. Guide them, O merciful God, in the paths of
truth, and let not a few wicked men among us draw
down Thy vengeance upon this colony. Ingraft into
their hearts a proper sense of duty, and enable them
through Thy grace to conduct themselves as Chris-
tians, that they may not come to Thy house without
that pleasing emotion which every grateful man must
feel when paying adoration to the Author of life. But
I have great reason to fear, O Lord, that many who
frequent Thy church do not approach Thy presence
as becomes them, and that they may partly be com-
pared to the Scribes, Pharisces and hypocrites,
Pardon, O God, their infirmities ; and as thou know-
est their weakness, from the manner in which they
have formerly been treated, and the little opportunity
they have had of knowing Thy will and getting

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 163

acquainted with the merits of Thy Son, our Saviour,
Jesus Christ, look down upon them with an eye
of mercy, and suffer them not to incur Thy dis-
pleasure, after they have had an opportunity of
being instructed in the ways of Thy Commanc-
ments,

< Bless, O Lord, the imhabitants of this vast con-
tinent ; and incline their hearts towards us, that they
may more readily listen to our advice and doctrines,
and that we may conduct ourselves towards them so
as to convince them of the happiness we enjoy under
Thy almighty protection Banish fom this colony,
O Lord, all heathenish superstition, and let the in-
habitants know that Thou art the only true God, in
whom we live and move and Lave our being. If
these people who profess Thy religion will not be
assured of Thy superior power, convince them, ©
God, of Thine anger for their profession without their
practice ; for Thou knowest I brought them here in
hopes of making them and their families happy, both
in this world and to all eternity. But I fear they
may not be governed by my advice, and that they
may ruin themselves and their children for ever by
their perverse and ignorant behaviour. I entreat
Thee not to let their evil example affect the great
cause in which we have embarked, for I would rather
see this place in ashes, and every wicked person de-
stroyed, than that the millions we have now an
opportunity of bringing to the light and knowledge

166 GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY

of Thy holy religion should, from the wickedness of
a few individuals, still continue in their accustomed
darkness and barbarism. Thou knowest that I have
universally talked of their apparent virtue and good-
ness, and have praised Thy name, for having per-
mitted me to be the servant employed in so great
and glorious a cause. If | have been deceived, I am
soury for it, and may Thy will be done; but I im-
plore Thee to accept the sincerity of my intentions
and my best endeavours to improve the talent com-
milted to my care. Only pardon the infirmity of
iny nature, and I will trust to Thy merey.

'Should any person have a wicked thought in his
heart, or do. anything knowingly to disturb the
peace and comfort of this our colony, let him be
reoted. out, O God, from off the face of the carth;
but have mercy upon him hereafter.

'Were I to utter all that my heart now indi-
cates, no time would be sufficient for my praise and
thanksgiving for all the mercies Thou hast vouchsafed
to show me; but as thou art acquainted with every
secret of my heart, accept my thoughts for thanks.
I have no words left to express my gratitude and
tesignation to Thy will I entreat Thee, O God,
if nothing I can say will convince these people of
Thy power and goodness, make use of me, in any
way Thou pleasest, to make an atonement for their
guilt. - This is an awful, and I fear too presumptuous,
a request ; yet if it should be Thy will that I should

GOVERNOR CLARKSON'S DIARY 167

lay down my life for the cause I have embarked in,
assist me, O Lord, with Thy support, that 1 may
resign it in such a manner as to convince these un-
believing people that thou art God indeed. May
the hearts of this colony, O Lord, imbibe the spirit
of meeknesss, gentleness and truth; and may they
henceforth live in unity and godly love, following
as far as the weakness of their mortal natures will
admit, that most excellent and faultless pattern,
which thou hast given us in Thy Son our Saviour,
Jesus Christ, to whom with Thee and the Holy
Spirit, be all honour and glory,; now and for ever.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

GOVERNOR CLARKSON.

Cop x~pPT ER -y I

GLEANINGS FROM THE COMPANY'S REPORTS
AXD OTHER RECORDS

1791-1801
* They ought to be had in remembrance.}

THE following account of King Naimbanna's son,
who was sent to England in 1791, for the purpose of
being more fully instructed in the Christian religion
and in the ways of civilisation, and who died as his
ship the Nam:Pamia entered Free Town Harbour in
July 1793, belongs to about the same period as
Governor Clarkson's Diary, and is far too important
to be omitted from our collection of Sierra Leone
ncidents of a hundred years ago.*

'The record of an African youth, who, in the earliest
days of the colony, manifested not only that im-
pressibility of temperament, and those emotions in

* This account was found in a little book, bearing date 1810,
and entitled, Zywe Stories of Young Persons distinguished for Virtue
and Piety who died in Early Life. The series begins with ' Edward
VI.," and closes with © Sir William Jones.' The book is the property of
an African missionary, Rev. N. M. Bull, of the Sierra Leone Church

Missions ; and by his kindness we are enabled to copy the chapter

here.
168

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 169

spiritual things that we expect to find, but at the
same time exhibited strong convictions and instant
readiness to act upon those convictions at all costs,
is a refutation of much that is carelessly and untruly
said about the African's receptivity. But we have
much more than this to notice in this interesting
chapter. We follow this youth, as his conscience,
enlightened by Holy Scripture, is brought to face
the polygamy question ; we mark that recoil from
profanity, and that desire for his own people to be
taught what he had learnt, which are so sure a
sign of God's grace in the heart; and, in the honest
and straight dealing shown forth in his last will
and testament, we see works evidencing faith in a
most telling manner. And it only brings his rapid
spiritual growth out into stronger relief, when we
witness the barbarous surroundings of his sad funeral
on the Bullom shore. This brief record ought to
encourage workers for Africa and Africans to per-
severe !

* NAIMBANNA.

'When the Sierra Leone Company were first settled,
they endeavoured to bring over to their friendship all
the petty African princes in their neighbourhood.
Among others, they applicd to a chief of the name
of Naimbanna, who was remarkable for a good dis-
position and an acute understanding. He easily saw
that the intention of the company was friendly to

170 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY's REPORTS; ETC,

Africa, and entered into amity with them. They spoke
to him about the slave trade, and gave him reasons
for wishing to have it abolished. He was convinced
of its vileness ; and declared that not one of his
subjects should ever . go. into slavery again.. By
degrees they began to talk to him about religion.
But he was rather wary on that head. It seems he
had formed some prejudices against Christianity.
Finding, however, that the factory contained a good
sort of people, and that they lived happily. among
themselves, he began to think more favourably of
their religion. - But he was still backward either in
receiving it himself, or in making it the religion of
his country. He was well convinced of the barbar-
ous state of his own people, on a comparison with
Europeans, and wished for nothing more than a
reformation among them, especially in religion. But
as he found there were several kinds of religion in
the world, he wished to know which was the best,
before he introduced any of them. To ascertain this
point as well as he could, he took the following
method. He sent one of his sons into Turkey among
the Mahometans ; a second into Portugal among the
Papists ; and a third he recommended to the Sierra
Leone Company, desiring they would send him into
England, to be there instructed in the religion of the
country.. By the: report of his sons, it appears, he
meant to. be directed in the choics of a national
religion. - Of the two former of these young men we

ONIY 40 SOVTTIA HHL CNY 'aNy4s; vNNY@oy

 

 

 

 

 

 

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 1/1

have no particulars, only that one of them became
very vicious. The last mentioned, though I believe
the eldest, bore his father's name Naimbanna. The
Sierra Leone Company received the charge of him
with great pleasure, believing that nothing could have
a better effect in promoting their benevolent schemes,
than making him a good Christian. Young Naim-
banna was a perfect African in his form. He was
black, had woolly hair, thick lips, and that bluntness
of feature with which the African face is commonly
marked. - While he was with the company, he seemed
a well-disposed, tractable youth ; but when opposed,
he was impatient, fierce, and subject to violent passions.
In the first ship that sailed, he was sent to England ;
where he arrived in the year 1791. - We may imagine
with what astonishment he surveyed every object that
came before him : but his curiosity, in prudent hands,
became from the first the medium of useful instruction.
During his voyage he had acquired some knowledge
of the English language; and though he could not
speak it with any degree of fluency, he could under.
stand much of what he heard spoken, which greatly
facilitated his learning it, when he applied to it in a
more regular way. - The difficulty of learning to speak
and read, being in a great degree subdued,. he was
put upon the grand point for which he was sent into
England ; that of being instructed in the Christian
religion. The gentlemen to whose care he had been
recommended, alternately took him under their pro-

172 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REFORTS, ETC.

tection, and each gave up his whole time to him,
faithfully discharging the trust which he had volun-
tarily, and without any emolument, undertaken.
Naimbanna was first convinced that the Bible is the
Word of God; the most material parts of which, of
the Old Testament as well as of the New, were
explained to him. The great necessity of a Saviour,
from the sinfulness of man, was pointed out ; the end
and design of Christianity, its doctrines, its precepts,
and its sanctions, were all made intelligible to him.
With a clearness of understanding which astonished
those who took the care of instructing him, he made
these divine truths familiar to him. Me received the
Gospel with joy, and carried it home to his heart, as
the means of happiness both in this world and the
next. His love for reading the Scriptures, and hear-
ing them read, was such, that he was never tired of
the exereise. Every other part of learning that he
was put upon, as arithmetic, for instance, was heavy
work with him, and he soon began to complain of
fatigue; but even when he was most fatigued, if he
was asked to read in the Bible, he was always ready,
and generally expressed his readiness by some emotions
of joy. In short, he considered the Bible as the rule
which was to direct his life; and he made a real use
of every piece of instruction which he obtained from
it. This was evident in all his actions. If "his
behaviour were at any time wrong, and a passage
of Scripture were shown to him, which forbade such

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 173

behaviour, whatever it was, he instantly complied
with the rule he received. Of this there were many
instances.. One related to dress. He had a little
vanity about him ; was fond of finery ; admired it in
other people, and was always ready to adorn himself.
His kind instructors told. him these were cluldish
inclinations ; that decency and propriety of dress are
pleasing, but that foppery is disgusting. Above all,
they told him that the Christian is ordered to be
clothed with humility, and to put on the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit. Such passages, whenever
they were suggested to him, checked all the little
vanities of his heart, and made him ashamed of what
he had before just so cagerly desired. | The irritable
passions, where lay his weakest side, were conquered
in the same way. His friends once carried him to the
House of Commons to hear a debate on the slave:
trade, which Colonel Tarleton defended with some
warmth. When Naimbanna came out of the House,
he exclaimed with great vehemence and indignation,
that he would kill that man wherever he met im,
for he told stories of his country. He told people
that his countrymen would not. work; and" that
was a great story. His countrymen would work ;
but England would not buy work; they would buy
only men. His friends told him he should not be so
angry with Colonel Tarleton. for perhaps he had
been misinformed, and knew no better. - Besides,
they told him, that. at any rate, he had no fright to

174 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

kill him, for the Almighty says, " Vengeance is mine,
I will sepay, saith the Lord.". This calmed him in a
moment; and he never afterwards expressed the
least indignation at Colonel Tarleton ; but would
have been ready to have shown him any friendly office,
if it had fallen in his way. At another time, when
he saw a drayman using his horse ill, he fired at it
exceedingly, and declared he would get a gun and
shoot that fellow directly. He would always, he
said, earty a gun about him to kill such sort of
people, for they deserved to be killed. | But his
anger was presently assuaged by this, or some
similar passage from Seripture, " Be ye angry, and
sin fot : let not the sun go down upon your wrath,.
Among the difficultics in which his new religion
involved him, one respected his wives. He had
married three:; but he clearly saw that the New
Testament allowed only one. What should he do
with the other two? Then, again, if he should re-
pudiate two of them, which should he retain? In
justice, he thought he should keep her whom he had
married. first. - But she was not the wife of his
affections He loved his second wife best. __ In short,
he showed so much tenderness of conscience on this,
and on every other point, that he scemed anxious
about nothing but to know what his religion required
him to do. When he could determine the rectitude
of an action, he set an example to Christians, by
showing he thought there was no difficulty in the

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 175

performance. What resolutions he formed respecting
his wives I never heard. It is certain, however, that
while he continued in England, he showed no sign
in any instance of infidelity to his African engage-
ments. - With regard to liquor, which is a Sreat
temptation to an African, he was from the first
perfectly sober. - Me said his father had ordered
him, when he came into England, never to drin'
more at one time than a single glass of wine ; and
he considered his father's injunction as sacted. . On
this head, therefore, all the instruction which he
wanted was, to turn his temperance into a Christian
virtue, by practising it with a sincere desire to please
God. In the gay scenes which often presented them-
selves to his view he never mixed. His friends were
very solicitous to keep him from all dissipation, that
might have corrupted the' beautiful simplicity of
mind, which was so characteristic in him; though,
indeed he never showed a desire to join in any
diversion which they. did not: entirely approve.
Dancing assemblics were the only meetings of
amusement for which he seemed to have the least
inclination. - But though his friends were unwilling
to trust him in any gay promiscuous meetings of
that kind, they were very ready to indulge him in
a dance at home; and he enjoyed the exercise with
alacrity, jumping and capering, after the manner of
his country, with an agility which seemed too violent
for anybody but himself.. He was fond of riding on

176 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY's REPORTS, ETC.

horseback ; but when he got upon a horse, it was
difficult to govern his desire of rapid motion. He
had now been a year and a half in England, and
had been carefully instructed in the Christian religion,
which he well understood. He was therefore bap-
tized, and only waited for the first opportnnity of
going home, which did not happen until about five
or six months afterwards. In the meantime, two
great points were the burthens of his thoughts, and
gave him much distress. The first related to his
father, whose death he heard had happened about a
year after he left the country. The great- cause of
his solicitude was his uncertainty whether his father
had died a Christian. He knew he had been well
disposed to Christianity, but he had never heard
whether 'he had fully (embraced it. His other
difficulty regarded himself - He had now attained
the end at which he had aimed. He had been in-
structed in a religion which, he was convinced, would
promote the happiness of his people, if it could be
established among them. But how was that to be
done? With regard to himself, he had had wise
and learned men to instruct him. But what could
his abilitics do in such a work? Especially con-
sidering the wild and savage manners of his country-
men. In every light the greatness of the attempt
perplexed him. With a mind distressed by these
difficulties, he took an affectionate leave of his kind
friends in England, and embarked for Africa in one

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 177

of the company's ships, which was named after him
the Nazmbanna. Though he had shown great affec-
tion for his own country and relations, yet the kind-
nesses which the. had received from his fmends in
England had impressed him strongly; and it was
not without a great struggle that he broke away from
them at last. The distress he felt was the greater,; as
the. society he mixed in at sea was very different
from that which he had left behind.. 'The profligate
manners and licentious language of the ship's com-
pany shocked him exceedingly. 'The purity. of his
mind could not bear it; he had hoped. that, in a
Christian country, he should always have found him-
self among Christians; but he was greatly disap-
pointed. The company he was in appeared to him
as ignoftant and uninformed as his own savage
countrymen, and much less innocent in their man-
ners. At length the oaths, and abominable conversa-
tion which he continually heard, disgusted him so
much, that he complained .to the captain of the
ship, and desired him to put a stop to so indecent
language. The captain endeavoured to check it, but
with little effect, which gave Naimbanna new distress.
But still the great burthen of his mind was, the
difficulty which he foresaw in his attempt to introduce
Christianity among his countrymen. Many were the
schemes he thought of; but insuperable obstacles
seemed to arise on every side. All this perplexity
which his active and generous mind underwent, re-
M

178 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

coiled upon himself. His thoughts were continually
on the stretch, and. as it was supposed, at length
occasioned a fever, which seized him when his voyage
was nearly at an end. His malady increasing was
attended with a delitium, which left him only few
lucid intervals. In these his mind always shone out
full of religious hope and patient resignation to the
will of God. During one of these intervals, he told
Mr Graham, a fellow passenger, with whom he was
most intimate, that he began to think he should be
called away before he had an opportunity to tell his
mother of the mercies of God towards him, and of
his obligations to the Sierra Leone Company. He
then desired him to take pen and ink and write his
will. 'The will, as follows, was written in the pre-
sence of Captain Wooles, and of James Cato, a black
servant, who attended Naimbanna. It was afterwards
regretted that Mr Graham had not written the will
exactly in the language which Naimbanna dictated,
instead of giving it a legal cast.

"*On BOARD THE ° NAIMBANNA,'_/z/ly. 14, 1793.

""I, Henry Granville Naimbanna, having been for
several days very unwell, and being apprehensive
that I may not reach my friends, have communicated
the underwritten in the presence of the subscribers.
It is my will and desire that my brother Bartholomew
do pay to the Sierra Leone Company thirteen tons
of rice, or the value thereof, being in consideration of

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 179

the sums expended by the said company on my
account. And, likewise, that my said brother shall
pay the sum of fifty pounds sterling to Henry,
Thornton, Esq., for money advanced by him on my
account. It is my will, also, that my brother Bar-
tholomew shall possess all my estates, real and
personal, till my son Lewis shall be of ase; and
that he shall deliver unto my said son, all that he
receives from ime for him ; and that he shall always
endeavour to be on a good understanding with the
Sierra Leone Company. 1 particularly request him,.
as far as he can, to oppose the slave trade, and that
nothing injurious may be imputed to the Sierra Leone
Company by any evil-minded men, whose interest
may be to oppose that worthy company. I here
declare, in the presence of that God in whom I place
my trust, that, during my stay in England, I always
enjoyed very good health, and received the greatest
kindness from all those whose care I was under, and
that, at my leaving England, I was in perfect health.
It is likewise my request that my brother will send
to the Sugee country for the cows that belonged to
my father, and that he will present three of them to
the governor and council of the Sierra Leone Com-
pany; and that if he do not find that number of
cows, that he will purchase three others and give
them in my name. I further desire that my brother
will pay James Dean Cato, who attended me as my
servant, the sum of five bars."

180 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, EFC.

When Mr Graham had written thus far, Naimbanna
complained of fatigue, and said he would finish his
will after he had taken a little rest. But his fever
came on with increased violence, and his delirium
scarcely ever left him alterwards. In this will we
see the workings of his generous mind, which seems
chiefly to have been intent on two things-the re-
muneration of his friends (though they would not
accept his kind legacies), and the prevention of any
mischief befalling the company from his dying in
their hands. It is probable, if he had finished his
will, he would have added other legacies, for several
English gentlemen had been very kind to him, as well
as Mr Thornton. The night after Naimbanna had
made his will, the vessel, though close on the African
coast. durst not attempt to land, as the wind was
contrary, and there was danger of running on the
Scarcies Bank. The next morning, however, though
the wind was still contrary, Mr Graham went off to
the settlement in an open boat to procure medical
aid ; but when the physician came on board the poor
youth was only just alive, and in that state he was
carried to the settlement the next morning, July the
17th, when the ship came to an anchor. On the first
account of Naimbanna's illness, an express was sent
to inform his friends at Robanna, and soon after he
landed, his mother, brothers, sister, and other relatives
came to the settlement. His wives, it is probable,
lived in some distant part, as they are not mentioned.

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 181

The distracted looks of his mother, and the wildness
of his sister's grief, affected everyone. - His cousin
Henry, an ingenuous youth, who stood among them,
attracted the attention of all by the solemn sorrow of
his countenance, which seemed to discover a heart full
of tenderness and woe. In the meantime, the dying
youth appeared every moment drawing nearer the
close of life. His voice failing more and more, the
little he said was with difficulty understood. Once
or twice those around him caught hold of something
like our Saviour's words, "Many are called but few
are chosen." About an hour before he died, his
voice wholly failed. He was awhile restless and un-
easy, till, turning his head on his pillow, he found an
easier posture, and lay perfectly quiet. About seven
o'clock in the evening of the day on which he was
brought on shore, he expired without a groan.
When his mother and other relations found his breath
was gone, their shrieks and agonizing cries were dis-
tressing beyond measure. Instantly, in a kind of
frantic madness, they snatched up his body, hurried
it into a canoe, and went off with it to Robanna.
Some of the gentlemen of the factory immediately
followed in boats with a coffin. When the corpse was
laid decently into it, Mr Horne, the clergyman, read
the funeral service over it, amidst a number of people,
and finished with an extempore prayer. The cere-
mony was conducted with so much solemnity, and
performed in so affecting a manner, that the impression

182 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

was communicated through the whole ignorant crowd.
They drew closer and closer as Mr Horne continued
to speak, and though they understood not a syllable
of what he said, they listened to him with great
attention, and bore witness, with every mark of sorrow,
to the powers of sympathy. After the ceremony was
over, the gentlemen of the factory retired to their
boats, leaving the corpse, as his friends desired, to be
buried according to the custom of the country. We
mix our griefs with theirs, and shut up, in the inscrut-
able counsels of God, all inquiries into the reasons
why. so invaluable a life was permitted to be cut off,
just at the time of its greatest probable utility. In
Naimbanna's pocket-book were found, after his death,
two little notes, which show the great sensibility of his
mind in religious matters. They relate to a circum-
stance already taken notice of-the disgust which he
took at the behaviour of the ship's company. The
first seems to have been written soon after he em-
barked... "I shall take care of this company which
I now fallen into ; for they swear good deal, and talk
all manner of wickedness-and filthy. All these
things-can I be able to resist this temptation? No,
I cannot ; but the Lord will deliver ime." The other
memorandum was probably written after he had com-
plained to the captain. 28, 1793. I have
this day declared that, if Sierra Leone's vessels should
be like to Naimbannra, or have a company like her,
I will never think of coming to England again,

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 183

though I have friends there as dear to me as the
last words my father spoke when he gave up the
ghost. '

It will interest the present inhabitants of Sierra.
Leone to read some short account of the capture,
plunder, and burning of Free Town by the French in
1794, the year following Naimbanna's death. For the
little colony was soon called upon to share in the
consequences of a quarrel with France, which had
involved England and France in war. Mr Zachary
Macaulay seems to have been the governor at the
time.

It was on the evening of the 27th September, 1794.
that the colony was alarmed by the firing of two
heavy guns at sea. By daylight next morning some
seven or eight sail were counted standing in towards
the land. English colours were now observed, but a
few shots over the town soon belied the colours, and
it was seen that the colony had to deal with a French
fleet. Resistance was felt to be useless. The English
flag at Government House was immediately struck,
a flag of truce was waved, but remained for a long
time unheeded. Firing only ceased when the ships
were hailed, and an assurance had been given that
no resistance would be offered. How is it possible
adequately to describe the desolations that followed ?

A desperate slave captain, whom the governor, a
short time previously, had been compelled to oppose,

184 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

had thrown in his lot with the French, and was evi-
dently active as their guide. | This man lost no time
in proceeding to Government House, and presenting
a pistol at the governor's head. Vain were all efforts
to induce the French commodore to restrain his men.
Pillaging and destruction immediately commenced.
It was useless for the governor to emphasize either
the philanthropic character of the settlement, or the
fact that the French had no quarrel with the Africans.
The commodore stated that it would be-as much as
his life was worth to call off his men." Free Town
soon exhibited a distressing appearance. | Some
Frenchmen were-to be seen carrying off the com-
pany's goods on their backs, others carousing round
a cask of wine. All houses were filled with French-
men, destroying whatever they could not use. In the
governors yard alone, fourteen dozen fowls were
and in Free Town generally, some twelve
hundred hogs were destroyed.. Ihe company's
account books and library were scattered and de-
faced, and any book that had the least appearance
of a Bible was torn to picces and trampled on. In
the botanist's house, plants, seeds, dried birds and
insects, drawings, books, and papers were scattered
in heaps on the floor.

In the offices the copying and printing presses
were destroyed, all the company's telescopes, baro-
meters, thermometers, and an electrical machine
were broken to pieces. All the company's servants

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC, 185

had meanwhile fled into the woods, where several
died of hunger and hardship.

The next step taken by the -enemy was to burn
several of the chief buildings, one or two settlers
houses, and some of the company's shipping. The
church was then desecrated, the books torn, and the
pulpit and desk smashed to pieces. The chemist's
shop and every medicine in it was then destroyed.
Next came the burning of all the rest of the build-
ings, of the church, a range of shops, three settlers
houses by the waterside, three more vessels, and all
the small boats that could be found. The greatest
blow of all was perhaps the capture of the Harpy,
which unfortunately hove in sight from England
while the French fleet still lay at anchor in Free
Fown Harbour She had goods, on board to. the
value of 410.000. Not even her despatches were
allowed to be delivered. Her English passengers
were completely plundered. The company's chaplain,
who came out in her, was deprived of all his private
papers; three Africans forfeited all their English
presents. A plant hatch, containing many tropical
plants from the king's collection at Kew, was de:
stroyed.; and an under-gardener of the king died
shortly after of a sickness contracted at this period.
The French commodore at length thought fit to
depart, having not only captured all supplies, But
having also bequeathed to a famine-stricken settle-
ment the care of no less than 1320 Europeans whom

186 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

he had taken from various ships. These unfortunates
he duly committed to the governor's care! It will
not be matter for surprise that three weeks later the
scarcity and the strain had produced a universal
sickness,. No medicines were left in the colony, and
the governor, in his own illness, refused to take some
bark, because he knew so little was left for others.
Although the 120 who were landed by the French
were never without at least a meal of rice per diem,
$o out of the whole number died at this time. The
total pecuniary loss sustained by the colony on this
occasion amounted to some £55,000! There appears
to have been something so deliberate, so destructive,
and so diabolical in this raid, that we prefer to think
with the directors, in their report that the commander
of this squadron may wot have received any regular
commission from the French Convention. If, as may
be the case, this attack was inspired and stimulated
by (slave traders, and was an attempt to wreck
the anti-slavery enterprise, we must regard the inci-
dent as a part of the price that had to be paid (for
which the French war was an excuse) for daring to
fight this unholy traffic in flesh and blood on its own
ground. Thank God the ground was maintained,
the battle has been fought and won, and a clear
knowledge of how much it has cost in human life and
treasure, and of the noble principles and motives that
inspired those who won the victory, are essential tothose
who occupy the ground to-day, if they are to make a

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 187

right use of the advantages gained for further progress
and development. It will be seen in a later chapter that
such a disaster is not likely to occur again so long as
Great Britain is able to maintain her colonial empire.

Three other incidents only connected with the
start of this colony remain to be noticed. They will
show that nothing was left unattempted that seemed
calculated to make this enterprise a success. When
Mr Macaulay, the governor, returned to England in
1799, he brought with him twenty-one boys and four
girls for purposes of education. Several of these
were children of chiefs. They had previously been
taught in the schools of the Sierra Leone Company.
But the governor felt that complete removal from
native influences was necessary, if teaching was to
answer its purpose.

The directors duly took charge of these young
people Six of their number, together with the
rector ~of the parish in which they were placed,
formed a committee of superintendence. Mr Zachary
Macaulay, as secretary, which post he took on his
retirement from the governorship, undertook to ex-
amine and report upon their progress from time
to time. A suitable schoolmaster was appointed,
who, with his wife, occupied the same house with the
children. Reading, writing and arithmetic, the Holy
Scriptures, and such arts and industries as seemed
likely to be useful in their country, were taught. A

188 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

considerable sum was raised by special subscription
to effect these objects, and many notable names
appear in the contribution list. We commend the
methods adopted a hundred years ago, as delivering
African children from the dangers otherwise incident
to their education in England.

The prospect of the stability and permanence of
the colony was increased about this time by measures
taken by Government for its protection, and by the
aid of a grant of £4000 per annum, voted in Parlia-
ment towards the expenses of its civil establishment.
The grant of a charter of justice was at this time
also obtained. Under this charter the whole tract,
commonly known as the Sierra Leone Peninsula, was
created one independent colony by the name of the
Colony of Sierra Leone. And it was also ordained
that there should be within the town of Free Town a
body politic and corporate, by the name of the mayor
and aldermen of Free Town. That Thomas Cox should
be first mayor, and George Ross, Alexander Smith,
and Peregrine Thomas the first aldermen (three in
number), and that the governor and council should
yearly, on the first Monday in September, elect one
of the aldermen to be mayor for one year.

The last mention of enterprise and progress in con-
nection with the start of this colony shall be that of
the first Gaseiite ; we have seen a pro-
spectus of this publication, dated at Thornton Hill,
Sierra Leone, 1801. All persons are invited to ens

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC. 189

courage an undertaking set on foot for the purpose of
promoting civil and moral instruction, and to advance
the progress of tropical cultivation, by furnishing
extracts from the most approved writers on the sub-
ject. "The publication was also to give the requisite
degree of publicity to the laws and regulations of
the colony, as well as to public and private events.
Its issue was to be twice a month, and the charge
four cents a copy.

In view of the altogether excessive expenditliife
of the Sierra Leone Company in connection with the
settlement, the directors very properly observed, that
they must leave the event of success, alter all their
endeavours, to the supreme disposal of Him who can
disappoint utterly, if He pleases, the most favourite
schemes of men, can obstruct and suspend for awhile
their accomplishment, or can crown them, if He sees fit,
with the most signal and unexpected success.'

On the, transfer of the Colony of Sierra. Leone to
the British Government, the company's directors pub-
lished the following statement, which satisfactorily
demonstrated: the success of the company in the
attainment of its most important objects, and was
calculated to convince every proprietor that his
money had been expended in a noble purpose :-

'However great may have been the company's
loss in a pecuniary view, the directors are unwilling

190 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY’S REFORTS, ETC.

to admit that there has been a total failure in their
main objects, or that their capital has been expended
without effect. It must afford satisfaction to reflect
that the company should both have conceived and
attempted to execute those plans of beneficence
which led to the institution of the colony ; and that
they should have continued to pursue them for so
many years, in the face of opposition, disappointment
and loss; in spite of severe calamities arising from
European as well as African wars, and much turbul-
ence on the part of the colonists The proprietors
have the further satisfaction of knowing that the
company have contributed to the abolition of the
slave trade, by exposing its real nature before the
view of a hesitating legislature, and detecting the
artifices and misrepresentations by which the persons
engaged in it laboured to delude the public.

'The company have communicated the benefits
flowing from a knowledge of letters, and from
Christian instructions to hundreds of negroes on the
coast of Africa; and, by a careful education in this
country, they have elevated the character of several
of the children of African chiefs, and directed their
minds to objects of the very first importance to their
countrymen. - They have ascertained that the cultiva-
tion of every valuable article of tropical export may
be carried on in Africa; that Africans, in a state of
freedom, are susceptible of the same motives to in-
dustry and laborious exertion which influence the

GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC, 1Q1I

natives of Europe; and that some African chiefs are
sufficiently enlightened to comprehend, and suffici-
ently patriotic to encourage schemes of improvement.
They have demonstrated that negroes may 'be
governed by the same mild laws which are found con-
sistent with the maintenance of rational liberty even
in this kingdom; and that they may be safely and
advantageously entrusted with the administration of
those laws, not only as jurors, but also as judicial
assessors.

'They have, in some measure retrieved the credit of
the British, it may be added of the Christian name,
on the Continent of Africa, and have convinced its
inhabitants that there are Englishmen who are actu-
ated by very different motives from those of self-in-
terest, and who desire nothing so much as their
improvement and happiness.

'To conclude, they have established, in a central
part of Africa, a colony, which appears to be now
provided with adequate means both of defence and
subsistence; which, by the blessing of Providence,
may become an emporium of commerce, a school of
industry, and a source of - knowledge, civilisation,
and religious improvement to the inhabitants of that
continent ; and which may hereafter repay to Great
Britain the benefits she shall have communicated, by
opening a continually increasing market for those mani-
JSactures which are now no longer secure of their
accustomed vent on the Continent of Europe. The

IQ2 GLEANINGS FROM COMPANY'S REPORTS, ETC.

directors are persuaded that they only express the
general feeling of the proprietary, when they say that
they cannot prevail upon themselves to consider
these effects, as an insignificant return for any pecuni-
arty sacrifices which have been incurred for their
attainment. *

We have now recorded the various incidents of
about a hundred years ago, that seem to us most im-
portant to be noticed in connection with the founda-
tion of this colony. The reader may obtain more
detailed information on all these subjects by reference
to the published reports of the company. Ihe selee-
tion here made is amply sufficient for the object
in view. No history of development under Crown
Government can be attempted in these pages. But if
the reader can be persuaded to accompany us further,
he will see, as well as we can paint it, the Sierra
Leone of 1§94, and the situation that has been
created there by the events, efforts, and experiences
of a hundred years. If this picture, however, is to be
intelligible, some account must first be given of the
work of the Church Missionary Society in connection
with this colony.

* From a volume entitled, Missionary Records, West Africa.

Religious Tract Society, 1836, in the possession of Rev,. N. J. Cole,
Regent Parsonage, Sierra Leone. Copied with his kind permission.

CHAP TE C vI
C.M.:S. ENTERPRISE
* Who through faith . . . wrought righteousness.'

ANY account of Sierra Leone that ignored the work
of the Church Missionary Society would be utterly
incomplete. The correct order has, however, been
Observed. It was not till 1790 that this society
was founded. The sime influences that caused its
title to read, ' For Africa and tlhe East' no doubt
led to the selection of this settlement as the first
field of its misslonary endeavour. The leading
members of the Sierra Leone Company were among
the founders of the new society. Williaim Wilber
force 'was invited to become its first President, and
Henty Thorton was its first ' Treasurer. - Elms,
and much more that is interesting, will be sure to
be brought to light when the C.M.S. presently pub-
lishes its story of a hundred years It is, however,
very evident that the awakening conscience of the
N

194 C.M.S. ENTERPRISE

public, under the influence of Wilberforce's crusade
in the Commons, would entirely account for Africa
standing first and foremost as the most urgent field
for evangelistic work. And it is even more evident
that, in selecting Sierra Leone and its neighbour-
hood as their first missionary field, the new society
was distinctly relieving the Sierra Leone Company
of a great spiritual responsibility, and was making
the best possible use of the start that had been made
in 1787, We have already pointed out that, in 1808,
this company, for very good reasons, withdrew in
favour of the British Crown ; but we prefer to regard
this noble company as never having really with-
drawn. . We would fain look upon the C.M.S. as
their true spiritual successors. That society, num-
bering on its first committees leading members
of the company, has abundantly vindicated for
itself a claim to be a Sierra Leone Company,
and .it will be seen,. by any who care to inves-
tigate them, that its spiritual principles in 1894 are
exactly those enunciated by Governor Clarkson in
1702.

It was not, however, to Sierra Leone that the first
C.M.S. missionaries were sent. Here, indeed, they
first landed, and here, for a few months, most ex-
cellent and helpful work among the settlers was
done by them. But the Rio Pongo. about 120
miles north-west of this colony, witnessed the first
missionary efforts of this society. That was in the

 

Henery THorntox, M.P.

From a Portrait by J. Ioppner, R.

 

 

C.M.S. ENTERPRISE is

year 1804. It is impossible not to admire the
splendid courage with which those first missionaries
entered upon and persevered in. a death grapple.
not only with the climate, but with European and
African slave dealers: It was not long before it
became evident that it would not be possible to
make headway against vested interests in such an
unprotected region.

Destruction of mission property by fire was a
constant experience. In spite of continual denial,
the missionary was associated in the minds of the
all-powerful. slave dealers with the British Govern-
ment and with British men-of-war. It was therefore
natural that, when the Society received the pressing
invitation from the Governor of Sierra Leone, te-
ferred to in the letter at the early part of the next
chapter, it should seriously consider the advisability
of transferring its missionaries to the new colony.
Great events had been happening since the founda-
tion of the society. - Parliament had. declared. the
slave trade illegal. This declaration had given un-
looked-for importance to Sierra Leone, which would
now, under the Crown, receive constant additions
to its freed population.. ; We 'are not surprised,
therefore, at the very reasonable and wise decision
of the C.M.S. Committee, to-come. within this pro-
tected area, and minister to the utter need and help-
lessness of a rapidly-increasing population.

Here, then, we would briefly trace some of the dif-

196 C.M.S. ENTERPRISE

ficult and heroic steps by which evangelistic work
under the C.M.S. led up to the spiritual developments
to be witnessed in this colony at the present time.
No more difficult or discouraging field could have
been selected for a start Sierra Leone was to test
the faith, and hope, and love of this Society to the
uttermost ; and an enthusiasm for missions to the
heathen that could survive decades of disaster in
this climate, is deservedly honoured and trusted to-
day. The story has so often been told, that it would
be rash to attempt much detail in this chapter
A few salient points only need to be kept in view.
The work of the new missionaries lay in the
various villages or centres into which the newly
landed rescued Africans were grouped. Here the
most utterly elementary work awaited them. With-
out drawing too literal a picture, it can be imagined
what a jack-at-all-trades such a missionary needed
to be. And when we remember that these first
missionaries were Germans, with mostly English
wives, and that they had to sit down in the midst
of a very Babel of tongues and dialects, when we
consider how engrossing must have been the care
of these constant importations, and how urgent must
have been the necessity of supplying shelter from
fain and sun as each fresh ship arrived (to say
nothing of the spiritual work), we appreciate some-
thing of the difficulties that beset those noble

ploneers.

C.M.S. ENTERPRISE 197

And when, moreover, we remember that this society
and its committee were at this time almost without
experience of tropical countries and the laws of health
there:; when we mark the inexperience of the mission-
'aries themselves, and recall all we have read of the
utterly undeveloped condition of the colony, and the
absence of the most ordinary necessaries of life, we
are not surprised to find that so few were able to sur-
vive long in such a trying and hitherto unknown
climate. We Have never been able to arrive at very
exact statistics, but it is not wide of the mark to
compute that not less than 100. C.M.5. missionaries
of both sexes have died in this colony, or in con-
nection with this mission to Sierra Leone. The work
that required to be done had little adventure about
it. Secure under a settled government, it needed
only time and a due succession of men and women
workers to realise excellent results. But when a new
contingent of say six fresh missionaries is within a
few weeks or months reduced to one, and when the
fort has frequently to be held by an overworked, over-
strained party of two or three, it can be imagined how
the work must suffer and- endurance be tried. This
happened again and again in those early days.* But
the CM.S. Committes never looked back By the

* {Many of the missionaries and teachers were also obliged to return
to England, so that, at the time of the publication of the Report of the
Church Missionary Society in the year 1835, there remained only Hree
missionaries and two catechists. The only female remaining was the

198 C.M.S. ENTERPRISE

time that the century had half run out, it was found
that a sufficiently important spiritual work existed to
justify the creation of a Bishopric of Sierra Leone.
Had the Church of England been as much alive to
her ecclesiastical responsibilities, as her handmaid"
had been in her own evangelistic department, Sierra
Leone would not have had to wait so long, to her loss,
for this mecessary development. - This event took
place in 1852, at the close of which year Bishop
Vidal arrived in Sierra Leone. Very pathetic con-
sequences attended this new departure. Lhe three
first Bishops (Vidal, Weeks and Bowen) had all
died at their post before one decade had run out,
and -the society were more and more set upon the
withdrawal of all their missionaries, and the estab-
lishment of a native pastorate. The two succeeding
Bishops (Dr Becekles and Dr Cheetham) were mainly
instrumental in carrying out this, measure, and
it will be our duty when, in another chapter, we
draw the contrast between the present time and a
hundred years ago, to discuss this institution, to give
information as to its growth, and to recommend such
modifications or amendments as further and fuller
experience would suggest.

It can easily be understood from what has been

daughter of Mr Nylinder. These only remained in Africa of one
hundred and nine labourers which the Church Missionary Society had
sent out during thirty years.'-From Missionary Records, West Africa,
Religious Tract Society, 1836.

C.M.S. ENTERPRISE 199

said, that it is impossible to turn over a page of
Sierra Leone history without being brought face to
face with C. M.S. effort and influence there. And not
only is the church there to-day the direct result of its
labours, but many indirect evidences are to be ob-
served in the various callings and professions, and in
the growing intelligence and prosperity that are to
be witnessed on every side. When this has been said,
and said with a hearty good-will, and a strong con-
viction, we shall not be thought hypercritical when
we come presently to speak of desiderata, which were
either imperfectly recognised in the part, or which
altered and developed circumstances render import-
ant now. The C.M.S. has not even now given up
Sierra Leone. Its college, its grammar school, its
boarding school for girls are still in direct connec-
tion with the Society, and two of them are mainly
officered by Europeans. The Society, also, through
its English local secretary, retains much influence in
the native church, and it also has a small mission in
the immediate neighbourhood of the colony.

200

HIST 'or

SIONARY SOCIETY,

@.M.:S...ENIERCRISE

CLERGYMEN or THE CHURCH . MMS:

WH

0n HAVE ; SERVED . IN

SIERRA LEONE, WITH- DATES: FROM _ THE: BOOK .OF

GOVERNMENT ORDINANCES,

COMPILED BY. AL:

GEKRKNON MONTAGUE,.-Esq.;.AND: PUBLISHED
BY AUTHORITY.

 

 

 

Rev.
(Wurtemburg)

Rev,

Name

Melchior

Peter
(Prussia)

Renner

Hartwig

| Rev. Gustavus Reinhold,
Nylander (Poland)

| Rev.

|

No. Date
1 -| Mar. +8, 1804
|
2 | Mar. 8, 1804
a {May 13;:1806
|
| |
4 | May 15, 1806
5 May 13; 1806 |
|
6 | July 10, 1809
9 ijub~ 10, 1809
|
8 | Nov. 20, 1811
|
9 | Nov. 20, 1811
o Dec, 1, t§13
|
ir (Dee. 1, 1812
12: Dec.. 1, i812 A

ht
|

|
|

Swabia)

Rev.: -John

Leopold Butscher

Gottfried

(Prasse, Lusatia)

Rev.
Christian
(Silesia)

Charles Frederick

Wenzel

Rev. John Charles Bar-

nett (Silesia)

Rev. John Godfrey Wil-

helm (Alsace)

Jonathan Solomon

Klein (Wurtemburg)

John Quast (H

anover)

Conrad Henry Meissner}

(Hanover)
IIelmm Meyer {(

(Bremen)

Close of

Mission Station & 4
Connection

 

 

1818. Leopold Died at Sier-
(Sierra Leonc)‘ ra __ Leone
1820. Kent! Sep.q,1S231

(Sierra Leone)]

...... Died in Africa
|- <M ar. 1;
C
Acting ~ Gov.- | Died May 23,
Chaplain till| 1825
1812, Bullom
Shore 1812, |

Kissy 1818 |

1814. - Institu- | Died July 17,
. ion _ (Sierfal 1817
Leone) |

£816, Kissy | Died Jan. 23,
(Sierra Leone)) - 1809

I8 £6. Kissy Died Aug. I,
(Sierra Leone) - 1816

 

 

Died Feb.
1810
Died Apr. 25,

...... 2

u

1818. Ric Pon:
gas

Died Mar.
1813

| Died June 14,

| 1814

| Died Sep. 12,
1813

9,

|
I Bullom Shore

20
21

22

27

28 |

29

Date

, 1815 | Rev. John Henry

C.M.S. ENTERPRISE 2Of

Name |

1815 | Rev. John Christopher
|__ Sperhacken (Germany)

1815 | Robert Hughes (Eng-
|_ land)

Schulge (Prussia)
1816 | Rev. Augustin Bernard
f William Johnson (Han-

 

 

|_ over)
1816 | Rev. - Henry - During
l (Hanover)
1816 |Christopher Jost (Ger-
many)
1816 |John Horton (England)

1817 {John Brereton _ Cates

(England)
1817 |David Brennand (Eng-
land)

1817 |Rey... Clas. - Henty
Decker (Germany)
1818 | George Stringer Bull

| (England)

1818 |Thomas Morgan (Eng-
|_ land)

1818 | Christopher Taylor (Eng-
| land)

1819 IThomas Jesty (England)

1819 I Henry Barrett (England)
|

1820 |James Lisk (England)

1820 | Robert Beckiey (Eng-

 

| land)

1820 | Rev. Jas. Norman (Eng-
land)

1820 | Rev. Thos. Davey (Eng-
land)

1822. Rev. Geo. Emanuel Wm.
Metzger (Wurtemburg) |

|

Close of
Connection

Mission Station |
I

|
..... |Died Oct.

[s I§1§

...... M a r.' 3 0,
1818

Sierra Leone | Died Oct. ya
1815

Regent (SierralDied May 3,
Leone) 1823

C Diced at Sea,
(Sierra Leone): Sep. 1823

Bullom Shore | Died June 28,

1816

Leicester (Sier- | Mar. 1818
ra Leone)

Wilberforce July 27, 1819
(Sierra Leone)]

Kissy _ (Sierra | Died

Leone) |

Wilberforce Nov. 1822
(Sierra Leone),

Principal of In- | 1820
stitution

Free Town and | 1819
Regent |

Charlotte (Sier- | Died July 31,
ra Leone) |- 18528

Free Town | Died Sep.

| - 1819

Kissy _ (Sierra | Died May 10,

Leone) | 1519

Hastings and | Apr. 1830
Regent (Sier- I
ra Leone) |

Free Town |Apr. 1826
Kissy and|
Kent (Sierra |
Leone) |

...... | 1826

Leopold (Sierra Dec. 6, IB30
Leone) |

’\Vilberforce, éApr. 7, 1833

Kissy, Well-
ington (Sier-|
ra Leone)

 

42
43
44

45

46
47
48

49

1 Date
E‘Ocr. 3, 1822
[Nov. 8, 1822
jNov 8, 1823
|

iIJov $,. 1822
lIJov 8, 1822
|Oct. 6, 18523
lev 3, 1923
;PJov 3, 1823
Nov.: 3, 1824
Nov. 3, 1824
Nov. (3, 1824
lNov 3; 1924
|

Jan. 12, 1526
(Ian. 12, 1826
;OcL 16, 1826
Jan 6, 1827
Oct. 14, 1827
{Iqov.18,1827
!:Nov. 18, 1827
j()cL 132, 1820
gOct. 12; 1829

C. M.S.

ENTERPRISE

 

Name

Philip Vaughan (Eng-
land)
Rey. Chas. William

Beckhauer (Saxony)

Rev. John Gerber
(Switzerland)
Rev. William | Henry

Schemel (Wurtemburg)
James Bunyer (England)

John Pope (England)

Rev. John Raban (Eng-

 

land)

Kev.: Henty Brooks
|_ (England)

ev. | Charles: IGnight
| (England)

| James Coney (England) |

\ John Pierce (England)
Rev. - John | William
' Weeks (England)

\ Rev, Wim. Keeling Betts

| _ (England)

| Rev. Alfred Scholding |

| __ (England) |

\ Frederick - Gates man |

l (England)

$Rev. Charles - Lewis |
Frederick Hansel

| - (Bavaria)
Rev. Ebenezer Collins

Edmund Boston (Eng-|

land)
Thomas Heighway (Eng-

{ - land)
| Rev. John Murrell (Eng-

land)
Henry Graham (Eng-

land)

 

Mission Station

Leopold, - Ba-
nanas and
W a terloo
(Sierra Leone)

Leone)

Regent (after-
wards Bishop
of Sierra
Leone)

Leopold (Sierra
Leone)

Institution
(Free Town)

Kissy and Hast-
ings
Leone)

Kissy - (Sierra
Leone)

York - (Sierra
Leone)

Close of
Connection

Died Nov. 25,
1823

Died June 28,
1823

Fob. 18, 1832

Died Apr. 25,
1823

Died Apt. 20,
1823

Died Mar. 30,
1824

July 26, 1836

Died May 3,
1825

Died Mar. 20,
1825

1825

1827

Died Mar. 25,

1857

 

lApr.16,1834

Died Sep. 26,
1826

Died Apr. 23,
1927

Oct. 23, 183%

| Mar. 31, 1841

(Sierra |

Died June 8,
1830

Died: Jan. 8,
1828

June 24, 1830

1832

61 |

62

63
64'

65 |

66
67

68

C.M.S, ENTERPRISE

 

Date. Name.

| Oct. 12, 1829 | Rev. John Warburton

| (England)

| Oct. 27, 1830 | Rev. William Young

| (England)
|

| |

| Oct. 27, 1830 | William Tubb (England)

| Oct. 27, 1830 | Richard Lloyd (Eng-

| land)

| Nov. 6, 1831 | John Rogers (England)

| Oct. 12, 1832 | Rev. James Frederick

‘ |__ Schon (Germany)

| |

|

{Oct 12, 1832 | Rev. Geo, Adam Kis-
sling (Germany)

Oct. 12, 1832 Thomas Bates (England)

iOct. 12, 1832 |Edward Gillespie (Ire-

| | _ land)

Nov. 25, 1833 | Rev. Benj. Yate Ash-
well (England)

Dec. 5, 1835 | Christian Frederick
Schlenker - (Wurtem-
burg)

Dec. 5, 1835 -| Walter Crowly- (Eng:
land)

Oct. 26, 1836 | Rev. John Ulric Graf

| (Germany)

Oct. 26, 1836 | Rev. Henry Townsend
(England)

|
| Oct. 31, 1837 | Rev. Frederick Bult-

mann (Bremen)

 

203

ilan man s | Close of
Mission Station. Connection.

Tyan

 

 

| Kissyand Glou- | May 4, 1850

cester (Sierra
Leone)
Kissy, - Water- | Ap

loo, Kent,
T. o' m b.o,
Russel, and
P a d e m b a |
Road, Free|
Town

1. 7, 1858

Died June 2,
1831
Regent (Sierra | Feb, 18 1832
Leone) ‘
Gloucester| Died May 12,
(Sierra Leone)] 1832

Kent, Foumhl 1853
Bay, - Kissy |
Koad, - Free,
Town, Glou- |
cester |
Kissy and Fou- | 1842
rah Bay In- ‘
stitution
...... Died Jan.
1 _ t§33
...... { Died Oct. 10,
| "1834

...... June 123, 1835
Kissy and Port | Mar. 11, 1851
Lokhoh |
...... ,| May 6, 1838
Hastmgs(51erm Mar. 22, 1855
Leone)
Kissy and Ixent | Oct. 22, 1843
(Sierra - Le-
one) - (later)|
Y o t -u Db a/
country
Wellington and 1860
Kent (Sierra '
Leone) |

204

C.M.S., ENTERPRISE

 

69

70

71

72
T3
74

To

76
77

78

79

.8o

 

|

Close of

 

 

 

Gollmer (Wurtemburg)

 

 

 

 

(Leone) and
Y or wh a
country

Date. Name. Mission Station. | Compechion.
|
Oct. 31, 1837 | Rev. James Beale (Eng- | Bathurst - and | Died Dec. 17,
land) Free Town | 1856, 'at
|- Lagos
Oct: 1837 | Rev. Thomas Peyton | Hastings and | Died June 1s,
(England) Waterlob,! i853
also Principal |
C:. M. _- S:
Grammar
School (Sierra
Leone)
Oct. 1837 | Rev. Isaac Smith (Eng- | Kissy, Bathurst | Oct. 12, 1853
land) and - Water-
loo - (Sierra
Leone)
Oct. $37 | Henry Plumer Stedman | Kissy - (Sierra | fan. 17, 1940
(England) Leone)
Nov. 15530 |James K. Winte (Eng-| .- .....; Died Feb. 11,
land) 1840
Nov. 1839 | Rev. Nathanael Denton | Kissy and Re- Mar. 2, 1855
(England) gent (Sierra
Leone) Timni
1840
Nov. ©8930 | \Y¥m. Isaac  Murphy!|~ ...... Died May 11,
(Scotland) 1840
Nov. 540 [John Nott (England) - | ° ...... 1842
Dec. $840 Niels Christian!. ;...... Died Aug. 24,
Hastrup (Denmark) 1849
Dee 1940 | Rev. | Henry - David | Kissy and Port | 18585
Schmidt (Wurtem-| Lokkoh
burg)
Mar. $41 | Rev. John Christian Hastings and | Dec. 20, 1847
Miller Kissy (Sierra
|- Leone)
Oct. 1841 | Rev. Henry - Rhodes| Wilberforce | June 19, 18559
(England) and Kissy
Road (Free
Town)
Oct. 1841 | Rev. Christian Theo- | Kent an d | Died Apl. 23,
philus Frey (Wurtem-| Waterloo] 1857
burg) l (§ i e -r a
| Leone) |
Oct." 1841 [Rev. Charles Andrew}, Bathurst (Sierra) 1843

1841

1843

18435
1846

1848

1847
1847
1831

1851

No. Date.
S3 [Oct. 29,
§4 (Oct. 23,
$5 | Oct. 29,
86 | Feb. 11,
87 | Nov. 10,
88 | Oct. 8,
89 | Nov. 10,
go | Jan. 9,
ot | Dec. 16,
g2a | Sep. 24,
93 | Dec. 5,
94 | Sept. 24,
95 | Oct. 24,
96 | Oct. 24,
97 | Oct. 24,

C M.S. ENTERPRISE, 205

Close of
Connection.

 

Name. ’ Mission Station.
I
|

 

John - 'Reynolds (Eng-!_ . ....... iDled Dec.27,
land) | 1841
Rev. Christian Frederick | Regent, York, IDled J'm 27;

Ehemann - (Wurtem-| and Pounh’ 1860

 

burg) | _ Bay Coll.
| William - Parkin (Eng-|Glouces ter| Dec. 10, 1847
| _ land) |_ (Sierra Leone) |
Fredk. W. H. Davies Kissy, Bathurst Died June
(England) { 'and : York 1850

| (Sierra Leone)

| Rev. John Conirad Cle- Kissy - Road, | Diedjune 28;
mens (Switzerland) f grefi Tow n”? 1850

athurst and

| \- Kissy Slermi

| Leone) I

[John N. Ashwood (Dr)] _ '..4. Dled Apr 21,
(England) I

| Rev. Sigismund Wilhelm |

Koelle (Wurtemburg)

\|James - Jacob - Huber

|_ (Germany)

...... Jan 20,1855

 

..... 1853
|

\ Rev. Edward Dicker) Kissy, Bathurst | June 23, 1855
| (England) | and Kissy
Road (Sierra
| Leone)
Rev. Charlee Augustus; Regent _ and Died 1882
Reichardt (Wurtem-| Fourah Bay
Coll.

| _ burg)

\ George A. Allen (Eng: | C | 1853

| land) |

Coleman N. Hammond kissy [1855

\ _ (Ireland) |

Wm. Henry Charpenteer Kissy |1856

| _ (England) -

| Rev. _ John - Milward | Principal C. M. | Died July 19,

| (England) | :S. Grammar| 1859

| |_ School, Free

| |_ Town)

| Rev. George - Rogers Wilberforce | Died Jan. 27,
Caiger (England) | and Padem-| 1860

ba ~ Road,.
Free Town

206

CM.S. ENTERPRISE

 

Date

683 Oct. 24, 1857

99) Nov. 26, 1857

100) Nov. 25, 1857

for Nov. 25, 18557

102] Dec. 24, 1857

103) Oct. 24, 1658

Oct.
Oct.

104
105

24, $858
24, 1858

106] Dec. 24, 1859

|
|

107; Dsc..24, 1850

 

1081 Dec.

|
109) Nov. 24, 1860

24, 1859

110 Jan. 24, 1861

|
111) Oct. 24, 1866
112) Dec. 1868

$13

I
| Name Mission Station

| Rev. James Hamilton | W a t er l o 0,

 

1 (England) Fourah - Bay
| Coll.; - later
| [x _C. See:
| | {retary on
| iNiget, . and
Archdeacon

| of Lagos

‘ Rey.: Samuel | Blacks Fourah Bay
|. {Ireland) i Coll. and
| ()) Kiss

| Rev. Charles Knodler| Kissy, Wilber-
|_ (Wurtemburg) force and
| -- Quiah - Mis-
| sion -: Sierra
| Leone

Henry Bockstall (Wort- | Kissy

emburg)

Rev. Lancelot Nichol- | See. C. M. S.
son (England) | Gra m m ar
School, also
Pademba Rd.

Free Town
Rev. - Alfred Menzies] Wilberforce,
(Jamaica) W ater lo 0,

Sierra Leone
John Alcock (England)
Thomas Harrison (Eng-
land)
Rev.
Brierley (England)

 

|

Chas, . Henty | Aberdeen and
(a Chtarlo tte
| (Sierra Leone)

 

James Henry. Ashcroft |;. .........

| (England) |

\ Rev. Thomas Oldham | Pademba Road,
(England) Free Town

|
|
Rev. Michael St Jack- i ......
son (England) |
| Rey. Henry Chas. Burns | Pademba Road,

(England) y Free Town
| Rev. H. J. Allcock, (Eng- Fourah Bay
{;* Jand) | ~ College

| Rev. James Beale, son of | Quiah Mission
the one named above
Rev. ]J./A. Lamb

 

Ses. C. M. S,,
Free Town

§ Close of
Connection

June 19, 1859

Nov. 21, 1859
July 20, 1859

June 21, 1861
1867
1869

Died at Lagos
1883

 

N.B.-Since the above compilation, the following are, or have been, engaged
in C. M.S. work in connection with Sierra Leone :-

C.M.S. ENTERPRISE

 

Name

 

 

Rev. Metcalf Sunter

Rev. J. A. Alley

Rev. Frank Nevill

Rev.
phrey

1889

1893 T. E. Alvarez

Rev. H. M'. C. E. Price,
William J. Hum-

Rev. Edward Leversuch

207

Cloce of
Connection

Mission Station

Principal - of | Died 1893
Fourah Bay |
College, Late |
H.M. Inspec-
tor of Schools
Port - Lokkoh | Still at work
Mission
P rin cip a 1 | Died
Fourah - Bay) 1889
College
Late Vice-Prin- | ‘ Now in Japan
|_ cipal
Principsail
Fourah - Bay |
College, now
in residence _|
Acting Vice-|
Principal |
Vice - Principal
| Fourah Bay |
§ Coll.

Nov.

 

 

EUROPEAN LADY MISSIONARIES sEKt oUT
BY CMS. To Sirrka LEONE FoR THE TRAINING

OF AFRICAN GIRLS.

 

 

No. Name Country
1 | Miss Mary Bouffler England
|
2 - Miss Hannah Johnson _| Hanover
3 | Miss Hannah Nylander | Africa
4 | Miss Elizabeth Nylinder | Africa
5 | Miss Ann C. Morris England
6 | Miss E. Phillips | England
7 | Miss Dietrich | Germany
8 | Miss M. S. Hehlen Germany
|
9 | Miss Julia E. Sass 1 England
|
|
|
10 , Miss W. Eschemaier __| Germany
11 Miss M. E. Wilkinson | England

 

Date of

Arrival x Remarks

Jan. 5, 1804 | Died Nov. 27,
1820
Jan.: ' 5, 1804 | Married Robert
|_ Beckley 1822
Sep. 6, 1831 ‘DledOct 8, 1839
Sep. 6, 1831 | Died Nov. 1837
Apt. 22, 1843 | Died Jan. 1956
Apr. 22, 1543 | Died April 184595
Apt. 22, 1843 | Died May o"
|_ 1844
Nov. 1, 1846 | Connection
closed 1865
Nov. 10, 1848 | Left for England
finally - 1862,
died in Lon-
don about 1891
Nov. 10, 1848 | Married Rev. H.
| D. Schmidt
1848
Dec. i, 1853; Connection
|_ closed, Feb. 28,

1857

CMS, ENTERPRISE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No 1: Name. Country g gilt-iii; Remarks
12 | Miss Babette Bleuler Wurtemburg | Dec. 24, 1856 | Married Rev. J.
H a m il ton
(now Arch
deacon Hamil-
ton) 1861
13 | Miss Eliza Konig Germany Oct. 24, 1858 | Married Rev. C.
Knodler, 1862,
I4 | Miss M. R. Bywater England Dec. 24, 1858! C onn ection
| closed 1864,
married Rev.
H. Brierley
is | Miss Annie Freymuth - | Ireland Nov. 24, 1860 | Connection
closed 1865
16 | Miss Elizabeth Adcock | England | Jan. 24, 1864 | Connection
| closed 1867
17 | Miss Jane Caspari England | Oct. 24, 1865) Went to Japan
| | : C. M.S. Mission
18 | Miss Gould | England \ Nov. 18570 -| Left for England
19 |Miss H. E. Thomas England Left for England
1872
20 | Miss Catharine Ilott England 1871 Died at Free
Town, July 27,
| | #873
21 | Miss Catharine Caiger | England Dee. 1872 Left for England
| June 1874
22 | Miss Mary Shoard lEngland May 16, 1876 | Now resides in
| |_ England

N.B.-Since the above compilation, the following Ladies are, or have been,
engaged in this work, now centred in the ' Annie Walsh Memorial
School,' Free Town :-

23 | Miss Ansell

Mrs Burton
Miss Bisset

24
25

26 | Miss Nevill

27 | Miss Henderson

Miss Dunkley

Miss Williams
Miss Long

29
30

31 | Miss Thornewell

 

| England

|
| England
! Scotland

l England
|

England

England
England
England

England

After a few years'
work she mar-
ried in England

| Now in America

Still at work
(1893)

| Acted as Lady

|. - Principal | at
times, now in
India

Retired and died
recently

T he present
Lady Principal
(1893)

Retired 1894.

Recently arrived
1894.

Working at Port
Lokkoh

€ HA PT ER y GNM

K E L 1 C S

' Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, that ye
may tell it to the generation following."

THE title of this chapter has been suggested by a
story told in our hearing once by the late Archbishop
Tait, on a London platform. It is impossible to give
it as he spoke it, but the following is its purport :~ -
His Grace told how that Merle d'Aubigné, the his-
torian of the Reformation, was going the usual round
of ecclesiastical sight-seeing in Rome, how he was
treated to the ordinary spectacle of relics, and also to
the astonishing stories connected with them, and how,
after having been satiated with exhibitions of bones,
garments, and other effects of saints and martyrs of
the early church, a happy thought came to d'Aubigné,
and he startled his guide considerably by assuring
him that all these relics were as nothing in compari-
son with some that were in his own possession, -that
he owned, for instance, relics of our Blessed Lord and
Mis Apostles, which had a very peculiar efficacy, as
being calculated to convey their very mind and
thought to those who viewed them-that, in short, he
possessed their very sayings and writings.
O

210 KELICS

like moral needs little pointing. - If the Church can-
not do without the inspired relies of recorded thoughts,
and words and acts of her first founders, neither can
she afford to ignore the spirit-taught convictions of
her ancient or modern builders. - And, if a knowledge
of church history in general is caleulated to beget ap-
preciation of work done, to show up mistakes made,
and to guard against their repetition ; if words of faith,
words of hope, and deeds of self-sacrifice come as an
inspiration to us still from martyr fires and lonely
dungeons, no less, in their own limited sphere, are our
humble Sierra Leone relics fitted to help and guidethose
who work for and in the West African churches to-day.

Fhe reader will have seen,. on a preceding page,
the list of missionaries to this colony and neighbour-
hood since 1804, together with the date of their
decease or return to England. Some fifty years ago,
Rev. Samuel A. Walker, Rector of Gallo, Meath, in
the Church of Ireland, undertook to write an account
of these devoted men and women, and their mission
to Sierra Leone. For this purpose, he had access to
ail the C.M.S. records that bore on the subject. Iwo
large volumes of most painstaking research were the
result. As a permanent record of the Sicrra Leone
mission for the first fifty years, they are invaluable.
But the bullky character of the volumes, and their
exuberance of detail, are altogether against their ever
becoming anything more than books of reference.
The conviction, moreover, grows on the mind, as we

RELICS 211

read, that the men and women, by whose death-beds
we are called upon in every few pages to stand, were
pioneers and proto-martyrs in an attempt to live
under physical laws of which people then had very
little knowledge, and in circumstances for which few
aids existed, such as are easily obtainable to-day.
And so we come to the conclusion, that the long
details of disaster to missionaries and their wives,
many of the latter of whom appear to have died at
the time of child-birth, are unnecessarily depressing.
We think, moreover, that while it is important that
the dark background should always be kept in view,
-the horrors of kidnapping, of the middle passage,
and the misery of the condition of the newly rescued
-yet, taking into consideration the fact that these cir-
cumstances were by no means the original lot of these
people, but were brought on them by the greed of
both black and white traders, it is altogether unneces-
sary to parade them in constant and hideous detail
before the eyes of the present generation. Looking
back from this distance, we can see how the Almighty
has overruled all for good ; and it is with the view of
demonstrating this, and to let all who are interested
in the progress made during the first hundred years,
see for themselves what some of the builders thought,
and felt, and said as they builded, that we venture on
the following selections from Mr Walker's volumes,
which are kindly lent from the Fourah Bay College
in this colony. :-

A12 RELICS

We shall make the visit of Mr Bickersteth, father
of the present Bishop. of Exeter, in 1816, our general
starting-point, and shall record, under each succeeding
year, any circumstances or dicta that seem best to
illustrate that year :-

©1816. It would appear, says Mr Walker, | from
Mr Bickersteth's report, that the only steps taken by
the CMS. up to this date for the occupation of the
colony, was the crection of the Christian Institution
on Leleester Mountain, in the year 18153, and the
supply of the office of Government Chaplain by one
of their missionaries since the year 1806, when Mr
Nylander, with their permission, undertook the duties
of resident minister to the colony, and continued to
discharge them until the ist October 1812, when he
removed to the Bullom Shore, and was succeeded by
Mr Butscher the following year. . . . Eleven hun
dred acres of land had been granted to the society on
Leicester Mountain side, and, 'at Mr - Bickersteth's
departure, there were about 350 children of both sexes
enjoying the advantages of this excellent asylum.
The boys were for the most part instructed in dif-
ferent trades, as carpenters, sawyers, masons, and
shingle-makers ; and the girls in such occupations as
were suited to their sex and condition ; and, above
all, every effort was made to lead them to a saving
knowledge of the divine truths of the Gospel."

The general principle acted upon was, ' that they

RELICS 213

should be employed half the day in work and half the
day at school.'

'A second great means of spiritual improvement
for the colony, which now occupied the attention of
the Society, was its division into parishes, according
to a plan formed by Governor MacCarthy, who, as
will be seen in the following letter, had expressed to
Mr Bickersteth his disapproval of the Society's exer-
tions at a distance from Sierra Leone, while such an
obvious and promising field of usefulness presented
itself within the colony.'

Early in February, the following letter was ad-
dressed by Governor M'Carthy to the Secretary :-

'GovernmENT HousE, SIERRA LEONE,
'*February 7, 1816.

'Sr,-Mr Z. Macaulay having mentioned in his letter
that he was authorised by you to state that a chaplain had
been appointed for Sierra Leone, who would probably leave
England in two or three weeks, and that he would be accom-
panied by schoolmasters and schoolmistresses, intended to
teach the captured youth, I beg leave to assure you they
will all meet with a hearty welcome. I had from Earl
Bathurst the notification of the appointment of the chaplain.

my last of the 16th August, the Rev. Messrs
Wenzel and Renner were here.

'I was extremely sorry to understand, from latter, that the
natives near their settlements had set fire to the thatch cover-
ing of the mud house erected for the purpose of a Church.

'I cannot help regretting that my suggestion, in 1814, to
employ these zealous gentlemen in the civilisation of the
settlers and captured negroes of this peninsula, did not meet
with your ideas on the subject. I entertain considerable
doubts of the probability of operating any improvement in

 

214 RELIGS

either of the rivers near Sierra Leone, so long as we have
not factories there, supported by military force.

'We have a considerable population both in the town and
in the villages allotted to the captured negroes. Want of
Europeans to superintend any establishment of that descrip-
tion operates against all our endeavours. Some progress
has certainly been made within these few months at two or
three of the villages. At the principal one, I have begun to
erect a substantial chapel, and the captured people them-
selves have erected a mud house at another, and this ex-
ample will be followed by a third. Mr Butscher and the
Rev, Mr Davies, of the Wesleyan Society, encourage their
exertions by reading prayers to them. 'These people are
extremely zealous to be taught the Christian religion, and I
am confident that, if a clergyman were settled with them, in
the course of a year or two, material progress would be made
in their civilisation.

'I forwarded to Mr Macaulay a sketch of a plan which I
conceive would, in a few years, accomplish the grand object
in view-of rendering these people happy, and a model to
their own country ; and from thence we might, with fair pro-
spect of success, extend gradually our views in the interior,
step by step ; but to operate any good we want Europeans,
and none are better calculated for the object than clergy
men.-I have the honour to remain, with sincere esteem,
sir, your obed. humble servant, C. MacCartay.

1817. Ou the oth of January 1817 was laid the
foundation stone of a new church at Free Town (St
George's") The Rev. W. Gammon read part of the
cighth chapter of the First Book of Kings, in which
the dedication of the temple by Solomon was re-
corded, and applied it to the occasion. The Governor,
assisted by the chaplain and some other gentlemen,

*This church became a cathedral in 1852, and was consecrated by
Bishop Vidal in 1853.

RELICS 218

having laid the stone, delivered an appropriate
address The tooth Psalm was then sung by the
whole assembly, and the guns of the fort fired a
salute in honour of an event, from which the most
important and permanent advantages were antici-
pated for the colony.

1819. Here is a bird's-eye view of the brightest
period of Rev. W,. A. B. Johnson's work at Regent.
' At ten o'clock," wrote Mr Jesty, a C. M.S. missionary,
recently arrived in the colony, 'I saw a sight which
at once astonished and delighted me. The bell at
the church rang for divine service, on which Mr
Johnson's well-regulated schools of boys and girls
walked two and two to the church The girls,
extremely clean, and dressed entirely in white, in
striking contrast with their arms and faces. The
boys, equally clean, were dressed in white trousers
and scarlet jackets. The clothing of boys and girls
is supplied by Government. It is true there is a
bell in the steeple of the church, but it is of little
use in Regent's Town, for the church is generally
filled half-an-hour before the bell tolls. The greatest
attention is paid during the service. Indeed, I wit-
nessed, for the first time. a Christian congregation
in a heathen land-a people " fearing God and work-

ing righteousness." The tear of godly sorrow rolled
down many a coloured cheek.

At three o'clock in the alternoon there was again

216 RELICS

a very full attendance, so. that searce an individual
was to be seen about the town.

"The formation of a missionary association at
Resent's Town at the close of 1817) (which may be
said to be the parent of the ' Sierra Leone (Church
Missions of the present day) (further exemplifies
the nature and extent of the work going on there."

During this same year (18109) we obtain the follow-
ing glimpse, through Mr Nylinder's journal, of the
new station at Kissy, to which he had removed from
Bullom:-' Here are about 500 people, young and
old, on rations from Government, and, of course,
under imy immediate care. About 450 more live
in seattered huts near Kissy, and the Timmanees
and Bulloms are in our neighbourhood, so that, if
a missionaty were not so confined by the care and
management of the affairs of the settlement, he
might make himself useful in visiting all the places
in the vieinity.

Another item of extension seems to fall under
this year, for we read, ' The Governor considered
it expedient; in consequence of the arrival of native
troops to be disbanded, and of the continual acces-
sion of those liberated from captivity, to form four
additional settlements-three of them, Waterloo,
Hastings and Wellington, on the eastern side of the
colony, towards the mainland, and the remaining one,
¥ork, near Cape Shillings. A fifth, Keut, in the
parish of St Edward, had previously been formed.

RELICS 2157

Here follows, what we may call an epitaph, uncon-
sciously composed, by one of the most successful of the
workers in those carly days, who died at his post :-

1820. (Numbering, says Mr Nylander, 'the years
that I bave spent in Africa, I find this to be the
fifteenth Christmas that I have seen here. While
about thirty of our number, younger than myself,
and apparently more useful, have been carried to
their graves during this period, I have been variously
employed in the vineyard of my Lord. I have taught
A B C to many who are now taller than myself. I
have endeavoured, I trust, to make known Jesus Christ
and Him crucified wherever I have had an oppor-
tunity. I have also attempted to translate portions
of the New Testament; but always guided, like the
blind, in a way that I know not-yet, I believe, with
an unerring hand. I have sown in tears, labouring
in hope, encouraging myself with this, that God's
word would never return void, but never saw any
fruit of all my labours till of late, when I had, and
still have, cause to believe that some of the people
under my care have experienced a real change of
their hearts which they show by their conduct.

1823. A terribly vivid impression of the sort of
scourge to which this colony was liable then (and,
without due attention to sanitary matters, would be
liable to-day), is furnished by the following letter of

218 BELIGS

Mr Vaughan, a C.M.S. missionary, to his home com-
mittee. Writing under date June 18, 1823, he says :-

'The following is the number of Europeans who
have died since my arrival in the colony on December
3d of last year:-In the month of December, seven;
fanuaty, two" February, nine:; March, cleven ; April,

V twelve ; May, twenty-four ; and up to date, in this
month of June, twelve ; Zotal, seventy-seven. Among
this unhappy number I have buried three medical
men- Andrew  Kennis, M.D.; Philip Duigan, MD.;
and James Pemberhaken, M.D., who all died within
twelve days; and also three of our council, one of
whom, Edward Fitzgerald, Chief . Justice, was only
three days ill. - Very few of the Europeans who
have recently died have fallen victims to the fever
of the country. - T /e medical men have not ascertained
the character of the disease. - Almost all die of the
black vomit, and very few that have died have had
more than three or four days illness. *

Under such cireumstances as these, the CMS
Committee felt it to be incumbent on them, first, to
ascertain, if possible, the cause of such a Freat de-
struction of human life ; and, secondly, to use means
to avert for the future so gricvous a calamity., A
medical committee of inquiry was appointed in

* This was undoubtedly the yellow fever, and in the ignorance of the
the doctors as to character and treatment, the mortality is greatly
explained. -E».

RELICS 2109

London, and the following is a part of their eport.
After consultation with the best obtainable authori-
ties, 'they proceed to suggest a plan of sanitary
regulations and precautions, such as, it is stated,
was found completely successful during the pre-
ceding four years in the West Indies, and especially
in the islands of Barbadoes, Tobago, and Antigua.
There is, hence, great reason to hope that the adop-
tion of a similar plan of sanitary regulations and
precautions on the western coast of Africa may be
attended with somewhat similar benefit, and that
the C.M.S. may have the heartfelt gratification of
beholding its great and unwearied work of faith
and labour of love permitted to continue, and even
go on to perfection, without being associated with
the distressing train of calamities with which it has
had so long to contend."

The following testimony has, if we may judge
from results, been somewhat lost sight of, by those
responsible for sanitary matters in this colony. Sir
George Collier, Commodore on the West Coast,
testified that 'the negro town of Regent, in the
Sierra Leone mountains, is more healthy than any
other spot; and I am therefore of opinion that,
whether used for such an object or not, yet, here-
abouts, the Governor should be allowed to retain
as much ground as would be necessary for a con-
valescent hospital and garden; for, if European

220, - RKELICS

health is to be restored in this colony, it must, in
my belief, be near the Sierra Leone mountains.

1823. \We pass on to the history of the year 1823,
and, at its dawn, find that the West Africa Mission
still laboured under stagnation and distress The
fact could not be concealed, that, owing to the de-
ficiency of teachers, the colony was retrograding
fearfully in spiritual things. The few missionaries
who were left exerted themselves to the uttermost
of their powers, physical and mental ; but it was not
by occasional and uncertain services that the infant
church was to be preserved from those aberrations
incidental to youth and inexperience !he few
faithful men who yet stood in the gap beheld with
keen regret the process of deterioration which had
begun, and they continued to ery aloud for help
against the flood of ungodliness which they saw
advancing with rapid pace. Too much they feared
to say of the unfavourable change that was taking
place, lest the hearts of friends at home might be
discouraged, and yet they wished to report faithfully
of the dangers which threatened the mission.

In a letter at this time, a missionary writes thus :-

'IDifeel that my letters should contain, if practi-
cable, matter for the excouragement of the Christian
public at home:; but, at the same time, I have no
inclination to taise expectations inthe minds of

RELICS aer

my fellow-Christians, which, in course of time, are
subject to die of disappointment - I would rather
learn to endure disappointment myself,'

Under the above date we have the following
uncanny hint as to the progress towards comple-
tion of St (George's Chureh :-

tA new church had been begun, but its progress
was impeded by. various cirenmstances, and, in its
unfinished state, if was nade use of by the people as a
market for the sale of agricultural produiz ; in fact,
to mark the degeneracy of the period, God's house
was converted into " a house of merchandise." '

1827. Under this date we have an interesting
allusion to the work of Wesleyan missionaries.

Mr Betts, in deploring his almost entire preoccu-
pation by merely official engagements, as a clergy-
man in Free Town, and, contrasting his employments
with the more spiritual avocations of the Wesleyans,
is led to write thus :-

*These gentlemen proceed on the principle of not
knowing anything but to preach Christ and Him cru-
cihed, | They are resolved to engage in nothing which
shall at all divert them from visiting their people and
preaching constantly, while the rector of Free Town
sinks in the estimation -of the more discerning Afri-
cans, who are not able to account for it, that he does
not engage in the same evangelical duties. | He has
no time to visit the hospitals, the jail, and the abodes

222 RELICS

of sickness, vice and misery. - He has no time for social
intercourse with his hearers; nor, by constantly going
amonse them, to evince that he is their spiritual
father and affectionate minister Ihe Wesleyan
missionaries have such time, and spend it inces
santly in these labours of dove; and what is the
consequence: They have neat and crowded chapels,
built in great measure by the voluntary contribu-
tions of an affectionate people, whose hearts are
attached to their ministers, and open, through the
winning influence of the private attention which they
receive from them, to the public instruction which
those ministers impart. - I rejoice in the good which
E trust they are doing. I bid them God-speed. But
I lament at the same time that we are unot in pos-
session of like advantages.

Mr Haensel expresses similar feelings, while he
writes :-

'We are surrounded with difficulties, spending our
time and strength in performing parochial duties;
the Wesleyan missionaries add chapel to chapel-
collect congregation after congregation, within such
a distance as they can conveniently visit ; appoint
exhorters, as tit men offer; keep Sunday-schools,
visit the prisoners and the sick in -the jail and
hospital; receive the sheep of their own flock in
their houses, and become intimately acquainted with
them, and admit to the ordinances such as they
believe to be lively members of OUhrist's church,

RELICS 223

. ' Such testimony to fellow-labourers in the same
field, Mr Walker truly says, 'is honourable to both

denominations?

1828. ' The interesting ceremony of opening St
George's Church, Free Town, took place on the 13th
of January in this year (1828). The Rev. Thomas
Davey tread prayers, and the Rev. C. L. F. HMaensel
preached on the oceasion from Ezra vi. 16... Alike
following Sunday Mr Davey preached from Isaiah
Iv. verses to and 11. These clergymen undertook to
preach on alternate Sundays until a chaplain should
be appointed. At first the congregation, including
the military and school children, amounted to 600.
Soon after, however, this number was considerably
diminished. When the rains commenced, the mili-
tary were withdrawn, and some of the young natives
ccased to attend. At the setting in of the dty
weather the attendance amounted to about 300."

Ms Hacnsel writes thus on the subject :~ Eree
Town bas received an immense benefit by the
church. being opened. We hear the church bei!
how every Sabbath, and have, if not a complete
nor showy, yet a decent place of, worship. I am
delighted to see every Sunday a good many benches
filled with well-dressed and seemingly attentive
young natives, probably of the better class of me-
chanics, or a step Iigher ... On the tith June,
divine service was held in the church at the request

224 RELICS

of the Chief Justice and the other Commissioners, pre-
vious to the opening of the Quarter Sessions, a great
many coloured men, besides a considerable number
of Europeans, attended this assize sermon-the first
ever preached in this colony within our knowledge."

1629. The. following estimate of the situation
in this year is afforded by a missionary journal -

'On comparing the population of the settlements
under our charge, with the attendance. at, public
worship, we perceive that about one-fourth of the
inhabitants ate in the habit of attending divine
service on Sundays.

"We may fairly assume that all these. are feady
to take the Christian name, and will desire to: be
sworn on the Holy Scriptures, if they have to take
an oath in a court of justice. And even this pro-
portion would, no doubt,. be much increased 7, awe
were to lower our standard of requirements in those
whom we admit to the church. The fact is, that the
idolatrous superstition of the African tribes has in it
so little that is fixed and exclusive, that it will com-
fort itself with, or even give way to, any new super-
stition or outward tite that may be plausibly offered.
We are, indeed, strongly inclined to believe that the
whole of the heathen population of the colony would
press to the baptismal font, if we would receive them
there on an understanding that baptism is of all gree-
grees" (he host /"

* A gree-gree is an African charm.

RELICS 223

The same journal, after dealing with other matters,
concludes thus :-'We feel that this account of the
state of the people to whom we ate sent, differs
considerably from the general opinion of our friends
in England, but we have thought it our duty to give
a plain tale. . . . This missfton has been established
only about fourteen years. - In consequence of illness
and deaths, it has had to contend with numerous
interruptions to the measures which were, from time
to time, put in progress. The many changes in the
agents for carrying on the work have hitherto ren-
dered it impracticable for them to come to anything
like a uniform plan of proceeding. The insufficiency
of their number for the work before them, has, up to
this. time, frequently prevented them from assisting
each other with help in seasons of difficulty, and
with advice in matters of perplexity. - Let all this be
well weighed, and let it be taken into consideration,
that they have been men frail and fallible, and the
charitable Christian will wonder that so much good
has been done, rather than feel surprised that no
more should have been effected."

'There were hindrances, writes Mr Walker, under
this date, 'to the success of the Sierra Leone Mission
in late years that lay deeper than the surface-hin-
drances that, to a great extent, grew out of the fre-
quent changes which death and disease had made in
the pastoral superintendence of the villages, and in
the regular supply of labour. Inexperience in the

p

2260 RELICS

peculiarities of the native character was evidently one
of the most fruitful sources of failure; and, as the
only remedy for this was long and familiar inter-
course with the natives, a constant succession of new
teachers perpetuated the evil, and continually neutral-
ized the efforts of the society in Africa. \We have
before observed, that the principle of the suceess
which attended the honoured labours of Johnson,
Diiring and Taylor was, accommodation of manners
and language to the people under instruction. Over-
fooking this, we fear, the society's misslonaties in
Africa exhausted their strength and patience in the
attempt to correct trifling singularities, which it
would have been wiser for them to take into their
calculation, and, in enforcing adaptation to a Ewro-
pean standard, which, they should have remembered,
it was the work of centuries to raise to its present
level. Failure in their injudicious object frequently
aggravated the mischief, by engendering a temper
and demeanour irreconcilable with the spirit of the
religion which they intended to represent | The
peevishness of unsuccessful struggle with what they
considered a dogged adherence to barbarous manners
and practices, was often the occasion of humiliation
and regret, and, with the candour of Christian sin-
cerity, He error was openly acknowledged and de-
plored. All that the mission wanted, together with
that blessing which is promised to every genuine
Christian effort, was, labourers, witk minds acclimated,

RELICS 237

if we may so say, to He intellectual latitude of the
region where their lot was cast?

That some of the more thoughtful missionaries
themselves saw the necessity for this, is clearly in-
dicated in a letter from Rev. John Raban, who twice
attempted to work in Sierra Leone, but was at last
compelled to come away. 'The grand thing at which
I aim is simp/icity, and those who have sincerely aimed
at this, even in England, will testify that it is not
easy of attainment. Yet in Sierra Leone, where its
attainment is far more difficult, its importance is
increased in a tenfold degree. I believe that I speak
the decided sentiments of my brethren, as well as of
myself, when I say that it is not possible to be too plain,
if only vulgar and incorrect expressions be avoided.
It is on this principle that I endeavour to act in all
my addresses, whether to a smaller or a larger
assembly. We want simple prayers for children;
hymns both for them and for the adults of the same
description ; simple catechisms, similar to Watts' first
set, but a little more comprehensive ; a dictionary of
words, drawn up in as easy a language as possible; a
simple and concise grammar, etc. The idea has been
suggested of simplifying our admirable Liturgy itself.
Let not the wish be considered as presumptuous or un-
reasonable. It arises from no want of regard for those
excellent formularies, but from a painful conviction that
their style, sober and chastened as it is, rises fxr adove
the level of general comprehension in these early stages?

228 RELICS

This would seem to be borne out by some ob-
servations of Mr Warburton at Bathurst about this
time. 'The people, said he, 'appear to be attentive
to the house of God ; but, when questioned whether
they understand what is said, their reply is " a Zitf/e
bit," an answer calculated to keep one humble.'

1837. Fifty years had now passed away since the
formation of the Sierra Leone Company and the
sending out of the first settlers. It has been necessary
to pass over many years of good work and real pro-
gress without a word, our object being, not merely to
record, but to search for relics likely to interest and
help the church of the present day. During this year
two missionaries, Messrs Collins and Croley, proceeded
for change of air to the Banana and Plaintain Islands,
a little to the south of the Peninsula of Sierra Leone,
and within easy reach of it. In a journal, written at
the Bananas, it is interesting to be reminded of the
African adventures of the Rev. John Newton, whose
remains, it will be remembered, have only lately (1893)
been removed from St Mary Woolnoth's in London, to
the churchyard of Olney. Thus Mr Collins writes :-

'Every one conversant with the writings and his-
tory of the Rev. John Newton, remembers that it was
on the Plaintain Island that he was fifteen months in
captivity, an object of pity and compassion to the
meanest slave. Referring to Mr Newton's narrative,
it appears that the Bananas was the first place on

RELICS 229

which he was thrown, as one shipwrecked, with little
more than the clothes on his back. The Bananas are
represented in Mr Newton's narrative as being, in his
time, the centre of the white men's residence, by
whom, no doubt, he was subsequently removed to the
Plaintains-the scenes of those grievous mortifications
and sufferings which he was called to pass through,
and which are so feelingly referred to in his narrative.'
Passing over to the Plaintains, the journal proceeds
=~ Among other inquiries, I did not forget Tohn
Newton, and was pleased to find that, although it is
ninety years since he was a wanderer on this island,
his name and history have not been forgotten. It
appears that, at the Kittim River, which is about 150
miles from the Plaintains, and which is particularly
referred to in Mr Newton's narrative as being the
place at which he was finally liberated from his cap-
tivity, the old people well remember the cireumstance
of the ship's calling in and taking Mr Newton away.
From Mr Newton, we were naturally led to inquire
about the lime trees planted by him, and to which no
small degree of interest has been attached. We were
pleased to find they were still in existence. The late
Rev. W. B. Johnson mentions having visited these trees
in October 1820, when, he says, he found they had been
cut down, but he saw the trunk of one, from which
mew branches had shot forth. These trees, though
possessing the appearance of extreme age, are yet
green and flourishing. . .-. On this solitary spot if

230 RELICS

was that Mr Newton passed many a sorrowful day,
beguiling his hours with Barrow's Ewc/id, the only
book in his possession. While walking along the
shore, it afforded me a peculiar pleasure to imagine I
had trodden the spot where Mr Newton, in his cap-
tivity, lightened his sorrows by drawing diagrams
with a stick upon the sand. Mr Newton mentions his
going in the night to wash his only shirt upon the
rocks, and putting it on his back to dry. In so small
a place, there can be little difficulty in faveying the
spot he visited for the purpose, which, no doubt, was
upon the rocks near this house.'

No one who knows the marvellous manner in which
this man eventually came to be one of the Evangelical
leaders in our church in the last century ; no one who
has read of his splendid services in London and Olney
at a time of great spiritual deadness ; no one who has
been helped by his hymns and other writings, will
giudge the space given to the above details of his
godless and miserable days on this coast, which John
Newton, in his epitaph, composed by his own hand,
has desired should never be forgotten.

1839. 'The missionaries were at this time particu-
larly embarrassed by the vast additions which had
been made to the population of the colony, During
the preceding three years, no fewer than 13.000 fresh
atrivals had been registered in Sierra Lcone, ' and this
does not include, wrote Mr Kissling, ' hundreds, nay

RELICS 231

thousands," who have been emancipated, but were
registered in the West Indies, nor upwards of 200
who were brought here a few weeks ago from the
British island of Bahamas, and are now as free as
any of their, brethren. - Suc# an merease of out
population] he adds, 'has of course a retrograding
influence on the state of civilisation, and the spread
of gospel truth in the colony.'

It will be interesting to note, how the destruction
of Gibraltar chapel by a hurricane led to the build-
ing of the very important clurch (Moly
Kissy Road) which took ifs place.

We quote Mr Kissling again :-

the overthrow of the society's chapel at Gibraltar
Fown, Free Town, caused no small alarm. - The
cane came on so suddenly, that the children had no
time to get out. It shifted from one quarter to an-
other, and brought the building level with the ground,
while nearly 100 children were within it. There were
a number of new strong benches in the chapel, and
the children,. being thrown on the floor, were by
this means preserved from being crushed -the
posts and beams resting on the benches, and the
children being underneath. - What a gracious Provi-
dence that not one was killed! not one seriously
wounded !'

The overthrow of the old chape! under such
cireuimstances no doubt furthered the scheme for
creeting a more commodious one. The chict part

232 RELICS

of the expense ultimately devolved .on the C.M.S.,
and here, in Mr Kissling's words, is the account of
the stone laying :- f

'On the 2d of January (1830), the foundation
stone of the mission church was laid. Almost all the
members of the mission were present, it being the
day of our monthly prayer-meeting at Free Town.
We first sang a psalm, and then offered up some
appropriate collects from the Prayer Book, imploring
the Lord's protection in raising the building, and the
manifestation of His power and grace on the souls
of those who should worship there. After this, His
Excellency Governor Doherty performed. the cus-
tomary ceremony, which was followed by singing
another psalm adapted. for the occasion. There
was no show or display whatever,. His Excellency
returned with us to the house of Mr Beale, and spent
about half-an-hour in kind and useful conversation.
« This is now," wrote Mr Warburton, " the third new
church begun at the expense of C. M.S."

The Rev. J. U. Graf at Hastings had also reached the
church building stage.-' I had the pleasure," he writes,
fof laying the foundation stone of a new place of
worship for the C.M.S., in which divine service and a
schooltis to be kept. | A great number of people had
met on the spot with marked interest.. "The children
marched 'out of their school and placed themselves
around the foundation ; then followed the infants,
singing one of theis little hymns, and, after the

RELICS 2893

corner-stone had been laid, a hymn was sung by
all. _ A collection was made, to which the school
children were not the last in contributing, for their
collection, which was made separately, amounted to
almost half of that of the adults.'

'The missionaries took care," we are informed, ' that
the value of our incomparable church liturgy should
be early impressed on the minds of the children, by
whom they required the responses of that service to
be reverently and softly repeated in school.. This
they did without the aid of a book, and many who
joined in them could not read, having learnt them by
constant attendance at church.

1840; . Mere we have a. sample of, the sort, of
work that a Monday morning usually brought in a
Sierra Leone parish in the missionary, days. | The
words are those of Rev..E. Collier -.-

(As soon as the missionary: shows. himself, in
his piazza in the morning, his work commences,;
for there) he finds, especially. on a Monday
morning, a large number of applicants awaiting
his appearance. The first party consists perhaps
of a number of sick children, applying to be ex-
cused attendance at school. Of these you dispose
in the best manner you can. Some are soon set to
rights by the administration of some trifling medicine,
while others are not so readily cured, having perhaps
some stubborn ulcer, which requires constant atten-

234 RELICS

tion. Having got through this class of applicants,
another party present themselves, consisting. of
parents bringing their children for admittance into
the school-a process which gives some exercise to
the lungs. A third party, who are not admitted until
half-past eight, when the first bell is rung for school,
now come forward, for the purchase of school books,
Bibles, prayer books, slates, pencils, copy books, pens,
paper, ete. A fourth party are now waiting upon
you, well dressed, having come for the purpose of
getting married. These are sent over to the church
to await your attendance. - This ceremony having
been gone through-which, there being ten or twelve
couples to marry, is no inconsiderable task-the
schoolmaster presents, perhaps, a string of unruly
boys and girls, who have been behaving badly the
previous day at church, upon which follows a lecture,
or something more formidable Returning to your
house, you find the married parties assembled, waiting
upon you for their marriage certificates, for which we
charge cightcenpence, which goes into the fund for
building and repairing our churches and schoolhouses.
Not unfrequently, amusing scenes are witnessed on
these occasions. Once, after marrying a couple, upon
my presenting them with the certificate, the eighteen-
pence was not forthcoming, when an altercation ensued
below, and it turned out that the man entrusted with
the money had expended it in the purchase of rum,
which was to be consumed at the approaching

RELICS 233

festivity ! Finding that they could not muster money
to meet the demand, one of the company stripped off
his shirt, and offered it as a pledge !'

1841. 'On the 22d of February, the foundation of
a new church was laid at Gloucester, the ceremony
being merely attended by the workman and children.
The building was completed on the 12th August,
and opened next day for Divine service, when
Rev. D. F. Morgan preached to a very large congre-
gation.'

A new church, built by Government, was opened
at Charlotte also in August 3d of this year. Al-
though the rain was pouring down very heavily, yet
the church was quite full.

My Beale writes of this effort -' It is worthy of
notice, that the people have contributed to its erection
a large amount in free labour. They have carried
many hundred loads of sand and lime from Free
Town, a distance of seven miles of mountain road.
Every man in the village has gone more than twenty
times. Though the day was not favourable, between
600 and yoo people were present, and I could not
help rejoicing with them, as they have always had
such a poor place to worship in-so small, that half
the people could not get in, and the place so con-
fined, that I scarcely ever went to take service with-
out feeling the bad effects of it.. Now, however,
they have a good stone church, with a gallery 50 ft.

236 RELICS

by 30, which is likely to stand for many years to
come.

«Mr Young, at Waterloo, regrets that he cannot
speak of the efficiency of the girls in his schools as
satisfactorily as he can of that of the boys, and he
ascribes this to the want, which was very much felt,
of a female native agency in the colony ; and he ex-
presses a hope, which was responded to by many,
that an institution would shortly be opened in Sierra
Leone for the moral and spiritual benefit of native
females' Thus we see the need first showing itself,
which was presently to be met, and is now fully
met, by the Annie Walsh Memorial School.

1842. The experiment of the Niger Expedition
in 1841 had emphasised a conviction, which the
C.M.S. had long entertained, viz., that European
constitutions are but ill-adapted for enduring much
fatigue in the African climate, and a new impetus
was at this time given to the training and develop-
ment of native agency. ( This brings us to notice
the Christian institution at Fourah Bay, which the
committee now decided to place on a more efficient
footing, by increasing the number of students, rais-
ing the standard of education, appointing a second
clerical tutor; and erecting a much larger building
forn the accommodation of the students. .. . The
past has been an eventful year in the annals of this
institution ; in that it has put forth the first promise

RELICS 237

of its future usefulness in the cause of God in this
colony, and to Africa at large. A native, who was
formerly educated by the society, and for sometime
was a teacher there, has been sent to England to
be ordained a minister of our venerable church. He
has been the first- fruits of missionary efforts in this
country as regards the ministry, and your committee
hope that he is the harbinger of what God is about to
accomplish in this degraded land by her own sons.

Here is an interesting little episode in connection
with church building that falls within this year We
quote from Mr Golimer :-

‘Seyz‘mz/Jcr Pik. A bell was heard this morning,
as on Saturday evening last, over all Bathurst. I in-
quired the cause, and was told that it was to assemble
the people in the market-place, in order to ask them
whether they were willing to make a collection for
a new church. Some of the principal persons at
Bathurst had mentioned the subject to me previously,
but I was not aware of their further proceedings.
Being interested in the matter, I went to the market-
place myself, where I found a great number assem-
bled. Four of the principal inhabitants of Bathurst,
having raised themselves on a butcher's table, one
of them addressed the assembly in the following
manner :-" My country people, God brought we
in this land, and here I was taught the word God,
which can do good to my soul. The white people
(missionaries) come here, not on account of money,

238 RELICS

but to teach good fashion. Now, my country people,
we come together this morning about the church
palaver. _ This school-house there cannot do much
longer, and then, by-and-bye, we no get a church.
We sit down with our children, and have no place
for worship God. Suppose we can try for do some-
thing; we can die, and our. children can worship
there, and can say our fathers have done this. The
Church Missionary Society will help we, but we
must try for help them; and if we put money, the
missionaries all can put money, and so, by-and-by,
we get a church ... All the people, who were
assembled. agreed. to make a collection, which it is
thought will be comparatively considerable."

Another, and a most important movement,; whose
influences have been already far-reaching and pro-
ductive, is indicated in the following extract. It is
from the pen of Mr Beale :-

(Marek 26, 1842... Some influential Alsus accosted
me as I walked along the streets of this busy town,
and said, " Sir, we have sent letters to all the ministers,
and are going to make collections in every village to
send to the society, to beg the gentlemen, if they will
be so sind, to send missionaries to our country.. I
said, ' I am slad to hear that, and I have no doubt
they will grant your request.. They said, " We sorry
for our country people too much, they no have the
Gospel.. I told them that was a matter for prayei
as well as liberality, and then God would surely open

RELTCGS 230

the way and incline His people's hearts toward their
benighted land. Their prayers, they said, should not
be wanting.'

To prayers, the Akus added performances, as Mr
Davies, catechist, tells us :-

(April 4. A meeting was held in the church at
Kissy, notice having been previously given, that it
would be considered how a missionary might be sent,
at no distant period, to the Aku country. The meet-
ing was fully attended, and, as soon as the subject
in contemplation was fully understood, numbers came
forward to subscribe for such a blessed enterprise.
Many even of our schoolboys, whose parents are
Akus, put their names down, and subscribed their
coppers. *

1843. This year is distinguished in the annals of
the Sierra Leone Church by . .-. the admission of a
native, Samuel Adjai Crowther, to holy orders. .
The Bishop of London,. by whom he was received
and treated with marked kindness and cordiality,
admitted him to the holy order of Deacons on
Sunday the 11th of June. He received Priest's orders
on the 1st of October at the hands of the same prelate.
Samuel Crowther, torn from his country and kindred
in early life, and consigned to the hold of a Portuguese
slaver, but providentially rescued by a British efuiser,
and carried into Sierra Leone, where he received his

* This was the beginning of this Church in the Yoruba country.-Ep.

240 RELICS

Christian training in the schools of the C.M.S., was
now a Eresbyter of the Church of England and
freland.*

'The colony of Sierra Leone, continues Mr Walker
'was rather a missionary school than a missfon.

)

Scholars were supplied by a providential appropriation
of human iniquity to Divine purposes from about
forty different sections of the African family, and now,
after a protracted t (?) pupilage several of those were
retiring from the seminary, bearing with them their
moral and intellectual acquirements, to form the nuclei
of religion and civilisation in the countries to which .
they returned. Yet, much in this way could not be
expected- from merely the lay members of the church,
if left to form an ecclesiastical system for themselves;
nor, indeed, did those most desirous of returning to
their fatherland, disguise their apprehensions of the
evils which must attend their want of that spiritual
discipline to which they had been accustomed, and
those religious ordinances by which their Christian
principles were upheld and strengthened, in the midst
of heathenish customs sanctioned and commended by
affectionate friends and relatives.

The coincidence of Samuel Crowther's ordination
being contemporaneous with this movement, was felt

* And was destined to be, from 1864-1891, the first Bishop of the
Niger. -ED.

+ Scarcely 'protracted '! We rather doubt whether, in all the
circumstances, the pupilage was long enough. -E».

RELICS 241

to be distinctly providential ; and so it came to pass
that 'the first fruits of the African ministry at once
assumed a position marked out for him by the All-
Wise, and most strikingly adapted to the elucidation
of the grand problem, with a view to which the
Sierra Leone Mission had been formed-the creation of
a native ministry suited to the spiritual and physical
circumstances of Africa'

Under this year, we have the erection of another
new church to chronicle in an important part of
Sierra Leone. Mr Young of Waterloo writes :-

(August 9. Our new church is a substantial stone
building, 80 ft. by 30 ft. It will afford comfortable
seats for 600 persons and upwards, on the ground
floor (all free sittings), and a gallery is erected at the
the west end, which will contain between 200 and
300 children. I now felt amply repaid for all my
toil, deprivations, and solicitude during its erection,
since our labours are no longer hindered for want of
a proper place of worship, and we are no longer com-
pelled to shift our position on a rainy day, to save
ourselves from the droppings of a dilapidated grass-
house. It ds the sixth place of worship in the mis-
sion, erected at the expense of the Society. 'It will
cost about £900."

1844. This year registers two important steps in
the direction of education. We give them in Mr
Walker's words :-

242 RELICS

'Ukvo objects which the committee had for some
time contemplated, for the better carrying out of their
plans, as regarded a native agency, were this year
accomplished. One of them was the establishment
of a grammar school, as an intermediate step between
the village schools and the Christian Institution. In
this school it was proposed to give a sound religious
and general education to boys and youths who had
received some previous training in the lower schools.
Whose who, after being trained in the grainmar
school, gave proof of suitable dispositions and quali-
fications, were to be transferred to the Christian
to receive there such further training as
should fit them for native teachers; while others
educated in the grammar school would pass into
different stations of life, where, it was hoped, their
Christian training would enable them to exert a
salutary influence on the social circles with which
they might become connected. . . . Suitable premises
for the grammar school were procured in Regency
Square, Free Fown ; and the school was commenced
under Rev. I. Peyton in March 184;. One other
object effected this year was the establishment of 27
institution for the training of females exclusively. The
want of a special provision for imparting a higher
degree of education to those promising native girls,
drawn from the village schools, who might afterwards
be employed as teachers and school-mistresses, had
fong been felt in the Mission. his institution

RELICS 1 243

was opened at Regent, under the care of Miss
Morris,)

We find He Governor of the colony thus expressing
himself, on the above subject, in a despatch to the
Home Government :-

< Boarding-schools for the education of children of
both sexes have been established under the auspices
of CMS., and, so far, the scheme promises well.
It will, at no remote date, be the means of establish-
ing a new, most important, and influential grade
in the society of Sierra Leone, among which the
husbands, the wives, and the domestic intercourse of
the middle classes of England, will, for the first time,
find representatives in Africa. It may be taken as
neither an unfair nor unfovourable ctiterion of the
position in the social scale at which the people have
arrived, that these establishments ate at length ac-
knowledged to have become necessary, and that the
pecuniary means of many of the more industrious and
successful of the people, are now such as to enable
them to avail themselves of the advantages which
they afford.

1845. It was early in this year that the new build-
ing at Fourah Bay, which is now known as Fourah
Bay College, was commenced.

'The first stone,' says the forty-fifth Report of CMS,
'was laid on the 5th or February by His Excellency
Lieut.-Governor Fergusson. | The infesipnaries met to-

244 RELICS

gether for prayer at the house of the Rev. J. F. Schon,
and afterwards proceeded to Fourah Bay. When the
ceremony was concluded, the Licut.-Governor ad-
dressed the assembly, but he was unable to repress
his feelings when he referred to the fact, that, on the
very spot where they were preparing to erect a build-
ing, from whence it was hoped that spiritual freedom
would be imparted to many Africans, there stood
forty years ago a slave factory.' *

It is only right that, while indulging the above
anticipations in connection with education, we should
appreciate the difficulties of the situation. - Two ex-
tracts from Mr Walker's book may sufficiently indi-
cate some of these :-' Africans," says one of long ex-
perience in African affairs, 'are very fond of becoming
headmen and teachers, and, if in any way lifted up by
others, they commonly rise so high in their estima-
tion of themselves, that in the end they too frequently
prove useless. Youths educated in England, who
have appeared promising, rose high when noticed by
others, and fell. Youths of ability should therefore
be gradually and cautiously brought forward."

'Whe scholars improved in knowledge, writes

* If the Governor is correctly reported, he is not correct as to his
dates, for, ever since 1787, it has been impossible for there to have been
a slave factory on this spot. No doubt, however, he is correct as to his
facts.-Ep.

This property was the late Governor Turner's estate, and was pur-
chased by the missionaries for £320 in the year 1828. It is an un-

rivalled position for privacy, for salubrity, and other conveniences. It is
about two miles from Free Town. -En.

 

RELICS 245

Mr Haensel in 1831, 'but I find that, at the very
time when I most anxiously begin to look for growth
in grace, they become fond of fine clothes, conceited,
and stubborn, and regard me as an enemy, because
I discourage profession unattended by corresponding
practice."

In order that our readers may fully realise the late
period up to which the unsettling immigrations con-
tinued, to which allusion has so frequently been
made, we give this, the only account we furnish, of a
party which landed in this year (1845) :- In going,'
writes the Rev. C. F. Frey, 'from Kissy to Free
Town, I met with a scene of misery, which made such
an impression on my mind, that I shall scarcely ever
forget it. About four hundred rescued Africans, old
and young, of both sexes, were proceeding towards
Kissy hospital. They had just come from the slave
vessel, and were in a most heartrending condition.
Some, not being able to walk, were carried, while
others supported themselves by sticks, looking, from
the starvation they had endured on board, more
like human skeletons than living beings. _I have
since been informed that, within a short time, about
a hundred of them died. What crime had these
poor creatures committed that they should be thus
treated?. It was "the love of money," truly called
the root of all evil, in those who are called civilised
people, which had brought them into this condition.

If Christians in Europe could have but one peep

246 REEICS

into such misery, they would. more frequently pray
for the propagation of the Gospel of Peace in
Africa.

An allusion comes in, suitably in this place, to Sir
Thomas Fowell Buxton, whose devotion to the cause
of Africa seems to have been fully appreciated in this
colony. - Besides the following effort, of which we can
give only a brief mention, the bust of this noble servant
of God was placed in St George's Cathedral, Free
Town, as a permanent memorial.

'Among the matters of general interest in this
year may be mentioned a subscription, set on foot
throughout the different villages, towards defraying
the expenses of a monument to the lamented Sit I.
Fowell Buxton, in Westminster Abbey."

We have, under this head, the following indications
of cheerful readiness in giving :-

tos., writes Mr Warburton from two country
villages, 'seems a small sum, but it was given feel-
ingly and cheerfully.. " Master," says one of them,
" we like that man, he do us good. Suppose we have
more, we can give more, but we no have so much..
ithe Rev. J. Smith, in handing over £3, $s.. 3d. from
two other villages, said it was given with the greatest

)

cheerfulness: " Ire, master," said one at the meet-

ing he had held, "that man was the best friend black

man ever had ; thantk God., thank God for that!
like Free Town Sunday School seems to have

given £2, 10s

EELICS 247

We have no knowledge of the full amount sent
from the colony.

Another church building effort now claims a few
words from us :-

'On the 1toth of November was laid the founda-
tion stone of a new church at Kent, where, for several
years, the members of the church had worshipped
in a miserable building, which Mr Haastrup, in his
journal, describes as not only very uncomfortable,
but also extremely indecent. "In fact," he says, " if
looks more like a cow-house than a church, bnt
I was not surprised when I heard that it was erected
several years ago, at the expense of £3." So dissatis-
fied were the inhabitants with this state of things,
that, we are informed, many of them were thinking
of removing to some other village which enjoyed,
as they thought, more CM.S. favour than Kent!
Mr Haastrup informs us that the church is situated
on a delightful spot."

All who are interested in the now vastly weore
emphasised 'liquor traffic question' will thank God
for the two following instances, and pray that there
may be many to emulate the examples set us half
a century ago. We are glad to see Regent, of whose
faith and profession in the early days we heard so
much, now bringing forth the fruit of good works :-

'As an evidence of the godly discipline which Mr
Denton was enabled to exercise over his flock, we
may mention his successful exertions to obviate the

248 RELICS

mischief with which Regent was threatened from the
opening of a rum shop in the town, by a colony-born
youth, who had hired for the purpose the cellar of
one of the communicants.

"Mr Denton, finding that the proper licence had
been obtained, and that the opening of the shop
could not be prevented, thought that, at. least, he
might persuade his people not to purchase the rum.
He accordingly sent for his class leaders, pointed
out to them the evil, and requested them earnestly
to caution the people "In my intercourse," writes
Mr Denton, " with the people among my own classes,
and in my discourses, I failed not to say all I possibly
could against it, and I was glad to find, in a few days,
that the whole town was as much opposed to it as
myself. - Considerable interest prevailed on the sub-
ject for a fortnight, and, as a proof how deeply it
was felt, I may mention that, in all their benefit
companies, a fine was imposed on any of their
members who should be detected purchasing rum
at that shop. The communicant, who, for love of
money, let him the cellar, gave him notice, at my
request, to quit at the expiration of three months;
but the young man has long since left the town, and
the shop has been closed. We think," continues
Mr Walker, "we hear many a minister in Christian
Britain exclaiming, ' Oh, that we possessed so salutary
a control over the conduct of our people.'"'
The second instance is the following :-

RELICS 249

John Langley was a highly-respected citizen of
Free Town,> having been recaptured and brought
to the colony in 1816. ' Me attained, it appeats, to
some of the highest offices amongst his fellow-
citizens, and was a successful merchant - We are
glad to record from Mr Walker's pen, a circum-
stance which proved the sincerity of his Christian
profession, and his growing conscientiousness in
things relating to God. Being the proprietor of a
shop in which spirituous liquors were retailed, he
conceived that it was inconsistent with his Christian
character to carry on that soul-destroying, though
profitable business, and sent orders to his wife to
discontinue the sale of rum, though his licence, for
which he paid annually thirty pounds sterling, would
not expire for some months.*

We obtain an important insight into the care with
which candidates were admitted to baptism, and light
is also thrown on their subsequent training, in the
following account of the work of one whose good
influence is still felt in Sierra Leone. Again we
quote Mr Walker :-

'The subject of admitting candidates to baptism
seems most properly to have drawn forth all Mr
Graf's energies of mind and body. He would not
accept the clearest expression of scripture views, un-
less thoroughly satisfied on the point of personal
character, and hence he made himself intimately

* The cost of a licence is now more than twice that amount. -E».

250 RELICS

acquainted with the individual history of every com-
municant and candidate under his care, and exercised
the strictest discipline in admitting them to the ordi-
nances of the church' With his sentiments on this
subject we most freartily concur. ' If, he says,
'the church be, as considered by some, a kind of
spiritual or ecclesiastical Zospife/, which flourishes
in proportion to the number of patients it admits,
then I confess having used considerable strictness ;
but if the church be a "company of faithful men," or
if this be the standard to be aimed at, I believe, in
that case, I have acted with considerable kindness
and liberality." Mr Graf and his excellent wife set
their faces like a flint against the love of dress, so
prominent in the African character, and which is
continually intruding itself into the schools, and
especially into the churches of the colony, in spite
of every effort of the missionaries to exclude it. Mr
Graf took a great interest in the girls' school, where
every species of useful sewing was taught, his notion
being, that 'what most concerns the African is that
he should be wsefw/lly minded ; as in sewing. so. in
dress, I banish all finery from the school. I also
stick," he adds, ' to the rule, that tidiness and cleanli-
ness are next to godliness, and therefore am in the
habit, generally once a week, of reviewing the children
at school, and sending home all dirty and broken
clothes to be mended at the sewing school, whereby
the girls get another useful lesson, viz., mending.

RELICS 251

We close these ' Relics' with two or three quota-
tions from the life of Bishop Bowen, the third Bishop
of Sierra Leone, whose brief career, with that of his
devoted wife, daughter of the late Dean Butler of
Peterborough, of the present Master of
Trinity College, Cambridge, left a lasting impression
for good on the diocese. It would appear that
seldom has Sierra Leone had brighter promise of
blessing than in the united devotion of Bishop and
Mrs Bowen; but she did not survive the birth of
her first child (still-born), and he did not survive her
more than a very few months. Before coming to
the immediate present, we shall take a glimpse of
things as he saw them in 1§58. In a letter to the
Rev. Henry Vienn he writes :- f

'There is a great need of men acquainted with the
African languages,. I think each missionary ought
to know one. The Aku is much spoken here by a
large number of the people, and is much better
understood than the English They were much
gratified when Townsend and Crowther preached in
Aku.) There are a large number of Fulahs for whem
we are doing nothing, and though these are Moham-
medans, they know very little of Arabic, and few can
translate the Koran. Two only of those I have met
could converse freely, though of course there may be
many others.

' Another fact is the very small acquaintance of the
adults with the English language, and the sad gibber-

232 RELICS

Y4sh spoken by many who have passed through our
schools. There are many causes for this : the care-
fessness of the negro mind, the infinence of the
native mind and language on the English, giving
,_ rise to the corrupt dialect as spoken by the original
megro settlers from Nova Scotla, which has been
perpetuated here ; but one slight cause, I think, is
the defective English of many of our teachers,
the bad pronunciation of the German being ex-
aggetated by the negro. 1 earnestly pray, for the
sake not only of the Queen's English, but for the
facility of being understood in preaching the Gospel
to the masses, who have not much education, that
you will send us English schoolmasters. It is true the
rising generation is improving, but still they are very
imperfectly acquainted with the English language.'

And, again, in another letter to the same, dated
Februaty 14th, 1859, and within a short time of his
death :-

'I hope they will organise the school committee
while I am away (in the Yoruba country), and fully
ventilate the school and college question. We must
not have too many professors in the latter. We do
not want the young men to be taught to preach so
much as to understand visiting, and possess a know-
ledge of the native language. You should have seen
the Moslems, in Fourah Bay Road, listening to
Hinderer preaching in Aku yesterday (Sunday) even-

They cannot understand English or Arabic, and

ing.

RELICS 233

the grown gentlemen of the colony like to forget the
native languages, but I hope they are now paying
more attention to them. . . . Alcock collected about
one hundred Timnehs yesterday, and as many the
Sunday before. They seemed attentive, though I fear
he reckons too much on their knowing a little English.
The following quotation will bring the ' Missionary
period, of which we have been making a rapid and
necessarily imperfect sketch, into direct contrast with
the pastorate stage, an allusion to which, in another
chapter, will bring our church Ahistory up to date.
We quote once more from the ( Life of Bishop
Bowen,' where, under the heading 'In Memoriam,
we find 'a brief notice of one of those works, which, it
is hoped, will long follow him who now rests from his
labours, in the land of his brief but active episcopate.'
Each successive Bishop of Sica Leone has
earnestly desired to see this long-established mission
begin to pass into a self-supporting church, supplied
with its own native ministers. Bishop Bowen was
engaged, at the time of his death in organising a
scheme for carrying out this much-desired object.
Though he was not permitted to see its accomplish-
ment, the result has proved that the time for it was
fully come. His successor, Bishop Beckles," has,
through the blessing of God upon his zealous efforts,
It should be stated that Bishop Beckles took also the wise step of
cHecting the purchase of the house and grounds, now known as Bishop's

Court, for the See. This house was greatly improved, at his own ex-
pense, by his successor, Bishop Cheetham.-Ev.

294 RELICS

been able, within the first year of his episcopate, to
transfer no less than nine churches, with all their
responsibilities, to the native pastorate.* . . . Several
of the friends of Bishop Bowen, both at home and
abroad (including a large number of Europeans and
natives in his West African Diocese), were desirous
of raising some lasting missionary memorial of his
self-sacrificing life and labours in the cause of missions
in various parts of the world, and, under the above-
mentioned circumstances, they thought they could not
do so more suitably than by collecting a sum of money,
under the title of " Bishop Bowen's Memorial Fund,"
to assist in this great work of establishing the native
pastorate in Sierra Leone on a self-supporting basis.

"ihe amount at present raised is about £900, but
it is hoped that it will reach £1000, so that there may
be an annual income from the funds of $50.1

'On the recommendation of Bishop Beckles,
Wellington, one of the nine districts above men-
ttoned, has been selected to receive the [/s/ benefit
of this fund, which the contributions of par-
ishfoners on the spot, in strict accordance. with the
original plan. At present there is only a school-
reom in the district, but the Bishop is about to
erect a mew church, to be called the " Memorial

* This work was developed and mainly worked out (other churches
and parishes being transferred) in the episcopate of Bishop Cheetham.-
£4.

/ This annual sum continues to be a great help to the Sierra Leone

Church.-ED.

RELICS 283

Church," and is now raising the necessary funds for its
completion.

Thus the late excellent Bishop Bowen, though
dead, may yet speak, for generations to come, by the
mouth of many a minister from among Africa's own
sons, that gospel of a Redeemer's love, which is the
power of God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth."

Perhaps the above system of collation scarcely
brings out into sufficient prominence the utter want
of continuity that prevailed throughout the forty or
fifty years that we have now covered. It is not
realised, for instance, how soon the pen that wrote
many of these extracts was for ever laid aside, at any
rate in this colony, We therefore propose, in one
more quotation, from a pamphlet, entitled, Sierra
Leone Vindicated, by Mr Macaulay, to show that this
want of continuity was widely felt, and extended to
every department, and fully explains the slow pro-
gress that this colony, considering all that has been
done fort it, has made :-

'The colony has been grievously injured by the
want of a systematic plan or rule for its government.
Every governor has been left to follow his own plans,
however crude and undigested, and no two succeed
ing governors have ever pursued the same course.
This remark applies more particularly to the manage-
ment of the liberated Africans. Mr Ludlam pursued
the system of apprenticing them. Mr Thompson set

256 ' RELICS

that aside, and turned them loose in the colony,
without any other superintendence than its general
police. Captain Columbine employed them on the
public works, or apprenticed them. Colonel Maxwell,
after delivering over to the persons appointed to
receive them, all the men fit for Mis Majesty's service,
apprenticed a part of the remainder, and then com-
menced forming villages with those that could not be
disposed of Sir Charles MacCarthy gave up ap-
prenticing, except in particular eases, and adopted
the plan of forming them into villages, under suth
civil superintendence and religious instruction as he
could comand, keeping the youths and children in
schools, or making mechanics of them ; neglecting,
perhaps, too much, in his successful attempt to make
them orderly and quiet citizens, the equally desirable
object of making them industrious agriculturists and
growers of exportable produce. General Turner dis-
solved, in a great measure, the schools and institutions
for mechanmics, and, threw the people more on their
own resources ; but did not afford he did not
possess, the means of duly superintending their settle-
ment and progress, or of directing their energies.
Weawvish we could say that Me /iteral relics of our
first three bishops, and of the noble army of mis-
sionaries, are treasured in this colony as they should
be. The fact is, our cemeteries are abominably kept,
if they can be said to be kept at all - Reverent atten-
tion to the resting-places of the departed seems almost

EELICS 247

wholly absent. And yet two of the older Free Town
cemeteries, being now no longer used, could so easily
be made pleasant places of pious and pleasant resort.
We hope a better time is coming, and that the per-
usal of these literary relics will lead not only to a
truer knowledge of our church history, but to a more
loving care for the last resting-places of those w/o
made the history, thus imitating the pious custom of
older Christian lands.

'O

T Belt he f- f
j b. s .

bie Bos
a is, Af:

\
'a" A
orca * >

 

FOURAH Bay COLLEGE.

CHAFPT ER Ix

SIERRA LEONE IN 1$94. . THE TEMNE PEOPLE
AND THE KROOMEN

' We humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men."

It is very truly said, that no two people ever see
quite alike, and, in venturing to point out facts. and
to express views about the present, it is inevitable
that the point of view taken should appear to some
to be out of focus. The aim of the writer, however,
is to state facts that have come under'his own obser-
vation, and impressions which he has formed in the
environment of those facts.. Inquiry, and even con-
troversy, are not only lawful but expedient, and will
le regarded as distinctly complimentary. - But it is
carnestly hoped that credit may be given for a gesire
to be candid and, truthful, and, fair and sind. It is
strongly felt that anything less than the truth will
make this little work useless for the purpose it aims
to serve. But if will be a keen disappointment if a
single word should seem unkindly or unsympathetic
towards those African people whom the writer aims
to help.

Sietra Leone in 1894 is not only the result of those

258

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AXD THE EROOMEX 250

immigrations from over the sea, which have been
duly recorded, but it also now embraces amongst its
settled inhabitants many of the peoples of the sur-
rounding tribes who have been drawn, whether for
purposes of trade or for safety, to sit down under
the. Union Jack: Ehis elass of settler is daily be-
coming a more and more important factor in the
colony. This will be readily understood when it is
stated, that Mohammedans and Pagans now number
not far short of one-half the population. _ Much
is said about the settlement being now a hundred
years old, but little is said, and less is realised,
of the unsettlement caused by so many successive /
immigrations into the colony, of peoples with dif-
ferent histories, different characteristics, and tribal
feelings. - When it is considered that immigrations
on a large scale continued down to near the middle
of this century, and that country people are still
coming in, it will be understood that the colony can-
not yet have settled down into anything like a com-
munity, and that the very phases we shall presently
record, are merely processes of development towards
something more final and fixed.

Any account of Sierra Leone in the present day
would be incomplete, which failed to give some sort
of description of the people from whom the colony
was originally purchased, and who still live around
and within it. We propose to devote this chapter,
therefore, to whatever we have been able to glean

260 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

about the FTemne* people, their superstitions and
customs; and we shall describe the sort of contact
we have, not only with them, but with other tribes in
and around this colony, together with the general in-
fluence of their presence amongst us. - By this means
we shall hope to bring our life, as we live it, more dis-
tinctly before those who do not know West Africa.

Religion, government, trade, every sort of enter
prise, has suffered fatally on this branded coast, from
opinions formed in England, which unfortunately are
too, often found not to fit the situation as it really
exists out here.

The administration of African affairs is ever pass-
ing into new hands in the old country, and there is
real danger to many an enterprise, from the crude
impressions of those for the moment in power, who
do their best to master the subject, say, amid the
sorry environments of a London fog ! Blue Books, no
doubt, contain much that should save people from
making mistakes, but Blue Books are not popular
reading, but rather serve as books of reference for the
few. For this reason we will endeavour to be very
elementary and detailed in this chapter; and we shall
try to aid those who desire to see native lite and
movement in this part of Africa, as it has come under
our observation. Let those whose education is more
advanced, at once skip these pages, and we, for our
part, will endeavour, for the time being, to forget their

* Called ' Timmany' by Governor Clarkson,.

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 261

existence! In another chapter we shall approach the
colony from the sea. Let us now gradually approach

it from the interior.
What does the English reader expect to find

there? - Perhaps it will be best described, first, by
negatives There is nothing, to our mind, more
pathetic, than the fact that, go where you will in
this region, you will find nothing, absolutely nothing,
in the way of monument, tablet or scroll, connecting
these people with their past. There are no ruins

that can be pointed out as telling of some bygone |

events in their history-nothing by which their
progress can be registered. A mud house, covered
with thatch, is the most substantial fabric to be seen,
and even that will melt away under the heavy rains,
when once the sheltering roof is removed. We are
tempted to say that these people seem to have been
saying ' Joko ' to one another in all their generations | *
This is a word we remember to have constantly
heard in the Yoruba country as one of their many
salutations. It means ' Sit down, and it is an in-
junction which is always obeyed in Africa, whenever
circumstances will permit. Now, if the English mind
fails to understand the lethargy and indolence im-
plied by this word, let it try to imagine the effect
upon us of settlement in these latitudes for a few

* Another constant salutation is, ' Softly, softly," which means, ' Don't

exert yourself too much !' We have heard it most kindly spoken to
over-zealous Europeans given to spurts.-Ep.

wil

262 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

generations | The. process would doubtless mean
extinction, but survivors would no longer be at a
loss to comprehend sowe of the causes of English
energy and African supineness Have we not here
an indication-if there is anything in the argument
from design-that the two races were made to
be complements to each other? Backward Africa
needs British energy and enterprise. The people
of the country, left to themselves, will not lift a
finger except to procure food and shelter-a pro-
cess requiring little sustained effort-but they can
be, and are, made to work if only their education
is rightly. directed. (See the: concluding chapter.)
And the directing hand of English energy can, with
due attention to obvious laws of health, work in
these climates.

On the other hand, we cannot handle the country
without the African, and work does not hurt him. It
is amazing what he can endure bareheaded all day
long in the heat of the sun. It is amazing what he
can carry, and if you will only be fair and straight
and considerate, though firm, with him, give him his
regular chop * and wages, give him fair time for
sleep and rest, you have an instrument very cheer-
fully willing to carry out all you ought to plan for
an African day.

But we must go on with our negatives. If there
are no indications of a past, is there anything in the

* The common word on the West Coast for any meal.

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMENX 2603

present aspect of the country -the towns and the
villages-that would suggest an improvement now
commencing? We answer, ' nothing. We think of a
very large town in the interior of Yoruba country,
where perhaps 100,000 live together within the same
mud-built city walls. But when we inquired whether
any sense of clanship or citizenship bound them to-
gether, we were informed that it was a common
dread of a common enemy-the Dahomians-that
formed this town,* that its inhabitants had no sense
of fellow-citizenship, but that mutual distrust reigned
supreme.

You may learn much about the African by his
roads.. They are not roads, but the narrowest pos-
sible footpaths, cut often through solid bush, and
so winding and circuitous that you constantly find
yoursel! retracing your steps. A. straight road is
contraty to the genius of the people. And when we
mark how helplessly unfortificd their towns and
villages are, we come to understand the precaution
that anticipates the approach of an enemy, and takes
good care that he shall come cireuitously, and in
single file.

War is, alas, a very common event in Africa.
But even this they manage,. tor the most part, in a
sitting posture. Open warfare, face to face, is, we
believe, very unusual. The enemy has merely to
sit down and blockade certain roads and cut off

* Abeokuta.

264 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

supplies. - This will be followed, sooner or later, by
a palaver, and sometimes peace is the result. Not
always. For until our Lagos Government, under Sir
Gilbert Carter, was empowered in 1892 to deal with
the matter effectively, passive hostilities, ruinous to
trade, continued for very many years between the tribes
of Yoruba land We remember a much respected
missionary of the CMS., the Rev. |. B. Wood, who
has been not very far short of forty years in the
country, having once endeavoured to act as peace-
maker between those rival camps. For about a
fortnight he was permitted to use his good offices,
for they fully trusted him, and they knew he was
their unselfish friend, but although every condition
he proposed was considered, modified and fully
agreed to by both sides, the whole thing fell to the
ground, because neither party believed that the other
would carry out its part of the agreement.

There are many other negatives to be mentioned.
For instance, those who followed the fortunes of Mr
Stanley's party through Darkest Africa, could see at
a glance how easy it must be to starve in the bush ;
how few trees or roots known to be good for food are
met with ; how difficult is the matter of porterage ; how
easy it is to be separated, after you have taken most
careful precautions, from your commissariat; and how
completely the science of thieving has been mastered,
to your discomfiture, by your boys. It is indeed a
huge undeveloped bush country! As to what lies

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 265

beneath it, or even on its surface, we have scarcely
yet begun to have an adequate idea. The first thing
that attracted our attention on the face of this con-
tinent was the African himself, and all other develop-
ments stood still while we traded ix him. Then we
caught sight of the elephant, and we nearly exter-
minated him. The next thing we saw was the palm
tree, and we traded, and still very lucratively trade,
in palm oil, and it appears to show no sign of failing.
We have found excellent rubber, and magnificent
logs of timber. We are planting coffee. We shall,
no doubt, find much more to support our conviction,
that Africa is now our principal unworked field and
storehouse, and market for English goods, but we
shall not find it without industry and capital. Roads!
Roads !! Roads !!! These are the urgent need, and
the sooner we have them (railways and trams, if pos-
sible), the sooner will this backward country begin to
be opened up. Thus it will be seen that, if we are
set down in some inland village, within even a few
miles of Sierra Leone, we shall find a very element
ary condition of things, and cannot depend on the
resources of the country for chop, or for porterage,
or for comfortable shelter, unless some mission station
or trading factory has been planted there.

Coming now to the positive condition of this
interior country, we should like first to say a word
about the wonderful freshness and greenness of tropi-
cal Africa in general. We are sure that nothing

266 SIERRA LEONE IN 18094

astonishes the new-coimer more than this everlasting
freshness under a withering sun. "Ihis applies, of
course, only to trees and other shrubs whose roots go
deep in the ground. Herbs, grasses, and all plants
spring up in the rainy season with wonderful rapidity,
but they wither and die in the dry season, unless
most carefully watered.. Perhaps the principal pro-
duct in the Femme country is rice. Ficlds of it are
constantly met with The kolz nut also flourishes
well, and forms a valuable article of export.
us now look in upon a Temne village. in
such a country as we have described, and, after a
glance at the surroundings, say something about the
people. One of those endless, narrow, winding foot-
paths that we know so well, which seemed as though
it led nowhere, has just widened a little, and here we
are at the entrance of a village. We use the English
word, but it is as far as can be conceived from the
English reality. Without any order or plan, in a
w clearing of the bush, some thatched mud huts. are
grouped together. One or two show some little
superiority, perhaps, to the rest A little attempt at
style, a few pillars supporting the piazza roof will
perhaps indicate the headman's house A Mittle
narrow path around the houses will be the way we
must proceed as we pass on. A patch of cassada
growing near, a few banana trees huddled together,
with all the refuse of the village thrown round their
roots, perhaps a patch of yams, which grow very

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 267

prettily on tall sticks, not unlike the Kentish hops-
these meet the eye amongst the groups of huts. A
few fowls and goats will probably be squatted about
the doorways, and, in the best-looking piazza, with its
mud or cow-dung floor, visible under the low thatched
roof, will be observed the inevitable hammock, and
the headman or some other mar (xever woman) lying
at full length To make the scene complete, the
female part of the establishment must be pointed out,
in various degrees of nudity, either beating corn,
pounding rice or palm-kernels, grating cassada, or
attending vigorously to some other household duty
outside in the yard. Although we have sketched an
unusually prosperous-looking little village -this at
feast is true of all that poverty, anxions, carping
care as to whence the next meal is to come, such
as taxes the nerve power of many a householder in
England, is unknown to the easy-going African as we
have seen him.

A full account of the traditions and beliefs of the
Temne people was published, some thirty years ago,
by the Rev. C. F. Schlenker," a CMS missionary,
who, as will be seen from our list, laboured for a
great many years in this country. His linguistic
work was most successful, and he left very valuable
translations in the Temne language. He tells us that

*~ A Collection of Temnme Traditions, Fables, and Proverbs. By the
Rev. C. F. Schlenker. London, 1861, A book full of valuable hints
for all who may be called to labour among this people.

268 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

the people themselves say that the name is derived
from "o-tem" an old man, and " nc," himself ; the
singular reason being given, that they believe the
Temne nation will ever exist.

like Hemne country reaches from about 11° 15 to
13) no W. long.. and from 8° 1s to 9° 6. N. lat. It
is difficult to compute the population. - Mr Schenkler
estimated them about forty years ago at 100,000.
But the Temne language is understood in the neigh-
bouring districts, and in the Bullom country-the low
land on the other side of the Rokelle, opposite Free
Town, the river here being six miles wide.

The principal tribes in his day were the Eastern
Temnes, the Western Temnes, the Mabanta Temnes,
and the Quiah Temnes. The two latter tribes are on
the right bank of the fiver Rokelle: The Port
Lokkoh territory belongs to the western part of the
Temne country, which borders on the Bullom on the
west. The Umon Jack was hoisted at Port Lokkoh
in 1893, and a large part of Quiah is also included in
the colony. The only C M.S. mission now left within
1060 miles of Sierra Leone has its headquarters at
this town: It is called in Temnce, - Pafe, Loko '=
© Wharf of the Lokkohs '-and is situated at the very
top of the Rokelle river or estuary, some 60 miles
from Free T own. "Ihe Lokkohs, it must be explained,
are a people quite distinct. They, have their own
language or dialect. They formerly inhabited this
town, but were driven away by the Temnes towards

 

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 269

the north-east, where they are now living between the
Temne and Limba countries.

Another people seem to have preceded the Temnes
at Port Lokkoh. They were the Baka people. Bey
Farma, the Conqueror, seems to have expelled them.
They went down to Sierra Leone, and from thence
up to the Isles de Los, where their descendants are
said to be still living.

In the traditions which Mr Schlenker took down
from the lips of one of the oldest Temne men at
Port Lokkoh, it is certain that Mohammedan ideas
must have become insensibly mixed up. But though
this may explain some of the elements of truth con-
tained in them, much is evidently not from that
source. There is a singular mingling of the grotesque
and the poetical in these traditions. They say that
when God made the world, He set it on the head of
a giant; that the trees, the grass, and all things that
grow upon the earth are the hair of the head of this
giant, and all living creatures are the creeping things
in his head. His movements are the cause of earth-
quakes, and when he falls down and dies the world
will come to an end, and everything in it will perish ;
but that, after a long time, God will make a new
world. They tell how, in the beginning, He made
only one pair of human. beings,. a male and
female, giving them first rice, and afterwards flesh
to eat; and teaching them which animals were not
fit to. be. eaten .. Afterwards Jhe showed them all

270 SIERRA LEONE IN 1804

kinds of medicines and- all sorts of tools, a hoe
and a digger, an axe and a billhook; and gave
them fire. They were naked and had no clothes.

Of the four first children that were born, a boy and
a girl were white, and a boy and a girl were black.
These God separated, placing the white by the water
side, and giving them all things necessary to get
money and become gentlemen ; and putting the black
children in the country, on hills and in forests, and
teaching them to make grass-houses and mud-houses,
and to do all laborious work. Afterwards, as they
increased, He divided the countries among them.

In the beginning, men lived to a great age, to 600
or 800 years, and then a servant was sent, first to
give a man warning, and afterwards to fetch him,
when he had bidden farewell to his friends. He did
not die, but was brought to God by His servant.
But at a certain time, a man was bora who was
wicked and violent. He became a great man, and
had much money and many slaves and cattle. He
cared for no one, but did what he pleased and
troubled his people. 'This man brought death into
the world. For when God sent for him, he refused to
come, and beat the many messengers who came for
him. Then God sent two messengers who should
'bring him away softly. These were Sickness and
Death; and ever since that time, God has given
power to sickness and death that they may walk
about in the whole world, lest another man should

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 27.1

arise and act as this one did.. He taught the people
also how to bury the dead ; and, as death is terrible,
and the people were afraid, He sent them a drum and
a cymbal and liquor, and. said, 'Let them go and
make a wailing, and drink liquor, that they may be
drunk, and dance, and be no more afraid."

Of a resurrection of the dead, the Temnes have no
idea, but they believe in some kind of retribution
after death, and that all men will go to Hades when
they die, and remain there for ever, some in a happy
and some in an unhappy state, according to their
behaviour here. _ They also believe that they will
get their slaves again in Hades, if they tie a rope
round their necks when they die, and let the tope
reach out of the grave, fastening it to a stick. They
say, however, that some men escape from the grave
by a sort of transmigration, such, for instance, as have
been unjustly put to death, and live in a far country
in great wealth-it is always a far country ! - They
believe also that a child which has died may be born
again in a natural way.

It may be said that they believe in the existence
of a Supreme Being, whom they call K'uramasdba,
but they do not worship him, thinking that though
he created the world, lhe. does not care about it, or
the concerns of men. The objects of their worship
are the Krifis, or tutelary spirits, whom they seek to
propitiate by many sacrifices. We frequently meet
with a small hut at the entrance of a town, dedicated

272 SIERRA LEONE IN 1864

to the Krifi, before whom they set food at certain
times; and who, they say, can only be seen by the
sorcerers. They have stones in their houses taken
from the graves of relatives-never from those of
strangers-and these stones they look upon as repre-
sentatives of the Rrims, and they call them the
shadows of the dead. They never use the name
Krif of the spirit of a man, but it is likely, neverthe-
less, that the Krifis are deified ancestors: - They are
more dreaded than revered, and it is in fact a kind
of demon-worship.

The Temnes believe that, by witchcraft a man may
turn himself into an animal, and, in that form, may
injure an enemy.. A man was burnt at Port Lokkoh
in 1854 for having turned himself into a leopard.
Charms are extensively used among them, and they
have many words for good and bad luck.

They are accustomed to kill deformed children after
their birth. It is not the parents who do this.. but
men told off for the purpose. It is said to be done
secretly at night, by strangling or burning, no one else
being present. - They think, no doubt, that a deformed
child would not only be unlucky itself, but bring ill-
luck to the family. Certainly one seldom sees a de-
formed child among the Temnes.

Fhey have two secret societics, the Bondo for
women, and the Porro for men. Any one expelled
from one of these societies, is cut off from all com-
munication with others.

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN: 273

We have reason to believe that, with slight modi-
fication, these observations, made forty years ago,
give an accurate account of the beliefs of the Femne,
and neighbouring tribes in the present day.

In selecting the Temne people for special considera-
tion, we are actuated by a desire to give an impulse
to our very inadequate mission work in that country.
We would draw public attention to their case. We
feel that those whom we will roughly describe as
Naimbanna's people, have a peculiar claim on us as
we follow the fortunes of Sierra Leone. We saw him
and his associates selling us the land a hundred years
ago; we marked his desire that his people should
profit, in the best sense of the word, from contact
with the white man ; we saw the hopes he fondly
centred in the son who went to England, and whose
bright but brief course there we have chronicled in a
previous chapter ; and we think it is a reproach to us
that such very slender efforts have as yet been made
to win them to a truer knowledge and a happier faith
than their traditions show them to possess,.

Before we come inside the colony from the interior,
as we promised, we have one other people specially
to deal with, who have been connected: with the
colony from a very early date, and who are entirely
different from any other West African people, and,
without reference to whom, neither Sierra Leone nor
West Africa can:Be:at all well understood. We in-
troduce them by a quotation from Mr Walker's book,

8

274 SIERRA EEONE IN

The following was written about the Kroo people
in the year 1847 :-

Besides the original settlers, and the Europeans,
and liberated Africans, natives of a district of the
Grain Coast, between Cape Mount and Cape Palmas,
called Kroo Country, are found in considerable
numbers in the colony, especially at Free Town.
These Kroomen are a singular race, constituting the
boatmen, labourers, out-of-door servants and cooks of
the colony. Strongly attached to their native country,
which they seldom or never utterly abandon, they
migrate to all parts of the coast in search of employ-
ment. intent only on gain, and that for the sake of
future respectability and independence in their own
land, to which their thoughts and energies are ever
directed. They are very industrious, and are much
attached to the English, in whom they have the great-
est confidence. The Krooman arrives in the colony
young, and apprentices himself to a Kroo master, for
whom he labours for two or three years, and then sets
up on his own account, taking apprentices in his turn
and receiving their wages. A Krooman's wages are
about twenty shillings a month, almost all of which
he saves, and between his savings and what he can
safely steal-honesty not being among his virtues-
he has accumulated, at the age of forty, about thirty
pounds, which he lays out in marketable articles, and
returns home to purchase a number of wives, in the
possession of which Kroo respectability consists, and

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMENX 275

spends the remainder of his days in the practice of
his native customs.

' Kroomen are eminently superstitious and ignorant ;
nor will they generally submit to be instructed, as,
whatever might be their own inclinations on the
subject, they dare not bring back with them to their
country any of white man's learning, or they would
fall a sacrifice to the bigoted notions of their country-
men. Hence the missionaries have almost entirely
failed to make any impression on this singular race,
who, to the number of about a thousand, inhabit a
suburb of Free Town (Kroo Town), with not a woman
amongst them, as they always leave their wives and
children behind them in their own country under the
care of the Pines or native magistrates, and one-half
of their earnings is claimed by their king or chief for
the care and expense of their families during their
absence. 'The Krgo men ate seldom very tall, but
they are well made, vigorous and active. Generally

speaking, they wear no clothing, except a piece of |

cloth folded round their loins. A few, however, wear
clothing in Sierra Leone; and they often bring
home with them old hats and jackets which they
are allowed to wear in their own country in the
rainy season, when they are extremely sensitive to
cold. They are very fond. of adopting English
names, such as " Pipe of 'Fobacco," " Flying-Fish,"
« Bottle of Beer,"." Mashed Potatoes," "Bubble and
Squeak," and other strange sobriquets of the same

/

O
276 f SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

character, which, from frequent use, soon cease to be
ridiculous.

'The distinguishing external mark of a Kroo man
is a broad black line running from the forehead down
the face, along the ridge of the nose and continuing
through the upper and lower lip and chin, and the
barb of an arrow represented on cach side of the
temple. "lhe body is also generally tattooed in a
fanciful manner.

'To the credit of the Kroomen it must be mentioned,
that they are not permitted by their laws to engage
in the slave trade; yet the temptations of Europeans
and others sometimes prevail to secure their agency
in this atrocious traffic.'

The concluding words of the above quotation
remind us of how much has happened since the year
1947. We therefore propose to bring this account of
the Kroo boy up to date, by writing of him as we
ourselves have known him since 1883.

The Kroo man has been superseded in Sierra Leone
itself, as a servant and jack-at-all-trades, by the
people of the immediate vicinity. But Kroo Town
is still an important division of Free Town. It re-
tains certain privileges of local control. It commands
a view of all ships arriving in the harbour, and the
Kroo man holds himself in readiness, with his gang of
followers, to join his favourite captain as he comes in
from Liverpool. Whatever may have been the case
fifty years ago, Kroo women undoubtedly live in this

 

 

Town, SiErra Lroxg.

Kroo

+

ma is naires

 

THE TEMNE PEQPLE AND THE KROOMEN 277

township now, and probably other women too. The
same love of country survives, but Sierra Leone has
become a second home to many. - Here they join and
are paid off from war ships, and mail and other
steamers. But if our readers wish to see Kroo life
on the coast, they must leave Sierra Leone with us, in
one of our steamships bound for the many ports that
now are growing to considerable importance along
the line of the coast of the Gulf of Guinea - Within
about two days we shall fire our gun and blow our
whistle at various points well known to captains
along the Kroo coast for boys.* Naked figures soon
appear vigorously paddling their frail canoes over big
waves, and presently a perfect babel prevails along-
side. A head man or two, with an immense ivory
bracelet, or some other badge of long service, climbs
on board, and it soon becomes apparent that a
merchant has sent up Book ? from Cape Coast, Accra,
Lagos or the Niger, for a hundred Kroo boys to come
down in the first steamer. A sovereign a head for
the slenderest possible accommodation is paid by the
employer. The arrangement is quickly made, and
very soon the party have made themselves com-
fortable in their 'happy-go-lucky' fashion, on the
after-poop or some other portion of the deck. In two
or three hours, we have stopped at another favourite

* A term applied on this coast to any of the male sex, from a child
to an old man. -E».

t The native expression for a letter or order. -ED.

278 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

hunting ground, where some fifty more are gleaned,
until, in a day or two, we have known the decks to
swarm with some four hundred of these noisy but
cheerful people, who talk from daylight to: the
moment they fall asleep, and whose excitement rises
to fever heat as chop time approaches, and the huge
rice pots are seen being borne along the deck to be
set down in the midst of the various gangs.

These people seldom consent to remain away from
their country longer than a year (twelve moons), and
it is certainly pleasing, as our ship returns up the
coast towards Sierra Leone, to watch their anxious
looks landwards as the ship approaches ' we country,
as they affectionately designate it At such times,
their great dread is lest they should be compelled to
land at some point at which fighting is going on, or,
indeed, any place other than their own native town,
for they would be at once robbed of all their earnings.
And that captain is always remembered by them who
keeps his word, and, at some little inconvenience, lands
them at their own place.

If the embarkation was exciting, what shall we say
of the exit? When the ship is seen drawing close to
a Kroo village, coming up coast, it is quickly under-
stood that she has passengers, and in a very short
time a perfect fleet of canoes surround us. How they
manage to sort themselves out, passes our compre-
hension, but somehow or other, in half-an-hour, the
exodus, of say a hundred, is completed to the great

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 270

relief of all on board. Their luggage, consisting of all
they have come by honestly and dishonestly during
their tour of service, a sad quantity of ' trade-rum ' and
gin (which they we/Z have)-if all this cannot be got
into the canoes dry, then it must be thrown into the
water, and swum for. A dive from the ship's side
into the water, and a swim to their canoe is a favour-
ite manner of disembarkation for many. If the frail
bark is over-weighted, these amphibious people can
tread the water until she is righted, and bale out
again, and all this goes on in the midst of a babel of
sound, which the captain, having, in his opinion,
given them time enough, has intensified by signal-
ling 'full speed ahead,' and all is quickly over until
the next discharge. Fearlessly they ride over the big
green waves towards the beach, to meet their relatives
once more, and, we doubt not, hold a perfect carnival
of debauchery that evening on shore, with their rum
and their gin.

We have often looked with deep sympathy on these
deck cargoes, during many voyages to and from the
Gold Coast and Lagos. Those who travel seem as
barbarous and heathenish as ever, but we know some
are being got hold of, and won, in Sierra Leone and
Lagos, and we must hope that the missions in their
country, which are all American, are making more
impression than formerly on their homes.

The Kroo coast is very dangerous for ships: .» It
has never, we believe, been properly surveyed, and

280 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

sunken rocks have wrecked: several of our mail
steamers in recent years.

It is not a comfortable reflection, as we look at this
mob on our decks (which can be kept in very fair
order, so long as we are masters of the situation), that
if the ship should chance to strike on one of these
sunken rocks, and become unmanageable, they would
rise to a man and seize all they could lay hands on, cut
the very rings off our fingers, if they could get them
in no other way, and generally loot the ship. And even
if we escaped safe to land, our only chance of keep-
ing the very clothes on our back, would be the prox-
imity of some white man's factory or mission station.

Little has yet been done to Christianise these inter-
esting, hard-working, cheerful, but ignorant and greedy
people, who have so long hung on to the skirts of
civilisation. Two instances are selected out of many to
illustrate their feelings towards one another. _ The first
is the case of a youth, in all respects a bright, cheerful
and apparently domesticated servant to a firm in the
Niger Delta Hearing one day that his brother had
been killed in the Kroo country, he came to his master,
knelt down and said, "Please master, let me for go
my country ose Hime ?* - On being asked why in such
a sudden hurry, and before he had finished his engage-
ment, he said, | They go kill my brudder, and Ino
fit for sit down this place till I go kill #ree persons.

Or look, for our second instance, at a gang about

* Immediately.

THE TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE KROOMEN 28:1

to land at their own town. One of their number is
sick with dysentery. They tell the captain,-' We no
want that man; he go die' They ask, however, for
his boxes. The captain replied,-' You will take that
man, or you will go without his boxes ;' and with
great care, the sick man was lowered in a horizontal
position, and laid lengthways in the canoe. But they
were not to be done! No sooner had they got a
short distance from the ship, than, cither because
they wanted more room to sit down, or because they
did not choose to take a sick man on shore, they
were seen to take him by the head and feet, and sling
him into the sea !

Is it right that so little attempt should be made
to civilise and Christianise a people whose labour
Europeans so largely employ? Cannot these boys be
encouraged, at the various factories, in a night-school
or Sunday morning class, to pick up a little useful
knowledge ? j

We know what African merchants will say ; but
we would point out, that it is impossible to stop the
tide of civilisation that is flowing steadily in, even
upon the Kroo boy. The good old Church Catechism
will surely do him no harm. It effectually secures
against the tendency of a little knowledge, so-called,
to take people out of their place, for it teaches a
man to do his 'duty in that state of life unto which it
shall please God to call him.' The fear of God in his
heart is what not only the employed but the em-

282 STERRA LEONE IN 1894

ployer wants, for it insures that a man will walk
through this world before God, and be honest. If
something like this, in a very simple way, could be
done at the various coast centres of labour, and if
something like a Kroo boys' home could be estab-
lished in Sierra Leone, with all sorts of departments
for useful teaching-spiritual, moral, sanitary, technical
-we are certain it would be only a right recognition
of the undoubted fact, that the splendid cargoes of
palm oil, etc., that weekly go from this coast, could
never have been shipped, and the ships themselves
could never have been worked, without Kroo boy
labour. We think, moreover, that common wisdom
and common sense suggest that something of this
sort would probably pay. When we see European
firms glad to pay a sovereign a head for these boys'
passages every season, and then to pay their way
home again in so short a time, and when we find
that Kroo boys can obtain employment on these
casy terms, without any difficulty whatever, it be-
comes obvious to us, that the labour question on this
coast is one of considerable difficulty, and that it is
important to look to conditions of future supply.
This rough-and-ready material has hitherto been
made use of without any sense of responsibility, and
without any regard to its proper conservation and
evolution ; and we think it is well worth the con-
sideration of shipowners and employers of labour
whether (we again repeat it) a large and spacious

THE 'TEMNE PEOPLE AND THE EKRGOMEN 283

home farm in Sierra Leone-a sort of Miss Weston's
Seamen's Rest

 

would not, wunder European manage-
ment, be an excellent centre for teaching them many

 

 

 

KROO. TOWN BAY.

useful things, not for their souls only, but also for
their bodies. If the Liberian Government are really
serious in demanding two dollars a head for every
Kroo boy that leaves the country, it will not prove
difficult to draw many towards Sierra Leone. They
might, with a little care; be there fitted to become
the permanent West Coast blue-jackets and steve-
dores ; and, with a little wise discipline and reasonable
leave, they would very possibly consent to bring their
families to them, instead of going for such long periods
to vegetate and deteriorate in their own country.

CHAP ITER x
SIERRA LEONE IN 1804. 'THE MIXED MULTITUDE

WE propose now to come inside the colony proper.
Let us approach by the Rokelle River from Port
Lokkoh. This is, properly speaking, only an arm
of the sea, affording navigable water for boats some
sixty miles inland from the coast. If the tide is with
us, we may hope to compass the journey by canoe
in two tides, but if fortunate enough, as sometimes,
to procure a steam launch, in six or seven hours.
We are now going 'ro-Kamp' (to the camp), as the
Hemues call the journey 'to Eree Town. It was
so named by them, because the first settlers when
they arrived made a camp near the shore. They
have thus adopted our word. If you have been
on one West African fiver (those parts; at least,
within 100 miles of the coast), you have been on all.
Mangroves, in one continuous line, meet the eye at
every, bend, relieved at times by a few actes of solid
ground, on which some trading station is situated.
There are several small hamlets, too, on the way.
Ro Bomp, Ro Tumbeo, Tasso Island, with their

factories or mission stations, are always ready with
284

 

 

 

Ox tue Brack xEar " Kinc Tom."

 

THE MIXED MULTIHUDE 285

offers of hospitality, as we pass up and down. But
this time, we must pass them by. Bunce Island is
next passed, once so famous for its slave baracoons ;
but now in ruins, and overgrown with bush. And
now opens out a view that mere coasters never see
-the land-side of the beautiful mountainous penin-
sula of Sierra Leone, standing in magnificent outline
against the open seal A strong sea-breeze usually
meets us at this point-most reviving after our river
journey, and we require all the force of the tide to
be with us to make headway against the big waves
that are now coming in from the ocean. Away on
our left, nestling prettily on the lowest slopes of
the hills, are Hastings, Wellington, and Kissy-all
interesting parishes of the Sierra Leone church.
Passing by them, we decide, instead of taking a
long pull to Free Town, to land at Clines Town
wharf, two miles east of the city,* and do the rest
on foot. Scores of other canoes, large and small, are
lying about us on the beach. They have brought
down produce of various kinds from up country.
Other wharves, nearer the city, will be much more
crowded until the afternoon tide gives the signal for
going up river again.

Watch these country people as they land, some for
the first time, and start, with their long neat and
heavy bundles of rice or other produce, for town.

* This term seems correct enough on an approach from the bush, but,
as will be seen in a later chapter, #0¢ so from the other direction.

286 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

You can see, by their very wallk-one behind the
other -that they. have never been accustomed to
broad avenues like the Fourah Bay Road. As they
make their way to some merchant's stores to barter
for cloth, or rum, or gin. let us pass on with them,
and see what is to be seen on the way. We have
not gone very many yards from this wharf before
we come to a small wooden building belonging to
the C.M.S., and used as a college ehapel. mission-
room, and day and Sunday school. It is known as
Cline Town Chapel, and we are glad to know that
it will [shortly be superseded by the ' Bishop Crow.
thee Memorial Church, near the same spot.. A few
steps further on, and, on our tight, down a long
avenue toward the water-side, is Fourah Bay Col-
lege,; to which allusion is made elsewhere, | For
isolation, sea-breezes and health, its situation is as
good as any in the colony, and. tar better than
any in Free Fown.. Passing on, we come next to
one of the main Mohammedan quarters of Free
Town at Fourah Bay itself These people, it will
be seen from the census statistics, are a very im-
portant factor in the population. The leading men
amongst them appear to be Akns, <2, from the
Yoruba country, but not exclusively so. Some are
Foulahs, and live in Foulah Town, another division
of the city.. They now possess a fair-sized mosque,*

* An important looking one is also being built as we write at

Fourah Bay.

THE \ MIXED MULTITUDE 287

and- they have shown of late years: a marked
tendency to assert themselves, and also to. in-
crease,

While thankfully acknowledging the fact, that
the leading Mohammedans are always on our side
in any agitation in respect of limiting or controlling
the liquor traffic, yet we cannot but feel that their
presence, in such large numbers, in the midst of
our colony, is a distinct danger to an imperfectly
developed Christian society, We are disposed to
believe that the. words of their Koran are only a
fetish and a charm to the rank-and-file of their ad-
herents, that great superstition prevails amongst
them, and is propagated by them. We often see
various words of the Koran being sewn up as
charms for sale, and alas! they have been bought
by some of our nominal Christians We have
reason to believe that medicine-men from among
their number keep alive in the community
many - hurtin!. superstitions, and so retard not
only true religion, but also true medical science,
and so long as this higher-grade heathenism,
while complacently congratulating itself that it
knows God, makes such ample provision for the
lusts of the flesh now and (as it thinks) hereafter,
and grows fat by feeding on such a community as
ours, we are not likely to win them to our way of
thinking.

On the other hand, there are many country people

288 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

who would be classed as Mohammedans, who engage
themselves as our servants, mainly for outdoor work,
but they are so simple and unsophisticated that, with-
out a thought, they will come in, of their own accord, to
our family worship, and- soon be heard repeating 'Our
Father, etc., with the rest of the: household. These,
it is evident,; can be won, and some little attempt is
now being made, by night schools and other means,
to reach people of this class. The Mohammedans, no
doubt, largely engage in trade, but they appear to
belong rather to the letsured class, and are chiefly
conspicuous in the street by fine loose robes, which
do not suggest hard work.

Passing towards town, another two or three hundred
yards brings us to the grounds of Bishop's Court, on
our right hand. They are about seven acres in extent,
and, like the college, slope down to the waterside.
The house and property belong to the Colonial
Bishopric s Fund, and constitute a valuable piece of
church property. Whether from this, or the college
promontory, the view of Free Town Harbour and the
sea is very fine. - On our right, again, as we pass west-
wards, and within the Bishop's Court property, is the
Princess Christian Cottage Hospital ; and we have
heard enough of heathen thoughts about sickness,
and the superstitions, and charms and medicines of
the country, to be very thankful for the work our Eng-
lish sisters, doctor, and probationers are doing there,*

* See a later chapter. -E,

oin |

 

T
PAMA
A St

 

 

 

 

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 289

And now the town begins, and the streets become
crowded. We crush against people with every sort
of article carried on their heads, from a prayer-book
to a huge case. We see every sort of architecture,
from the thatched cabin to the big stone warehouse
or private mansion. We stumble over ginger put
on the sides of the streets to dry, or a few mangoes,
bananas and pine apples, behind which some vendor
is squatting. Nothing strikes us so much as the
constant collisions along these streets. No one seems
to walk cireumspectly, and certainly no one willingly
moves for another. A bicycle and a pouy trap. in
the late afternoon, will succeed in maintaining a fair
pace without accidents, but not without much shout-
ing, and sounding of bells. It is very amusing to us,
when we have occasion to stop in the street, either to
speak to a person or adjust something that has got
wrong, to see the passers-by immediately stop and
gather round. They diligently observe all we say or
do, and when we move on, so do they." At a point
where the Fourah Bay Road runs into Kissy Street
we will, nevertheless, venture one of these pauses and
look around us. Looking eastward along the attrac-
tive-looking road to Kissy, we see Holy Trinity
Church and parsonage, now under the Venerable
Archdeacon Robbin, an African clergyman.
church has quite the largest, and, as it would pro-
bably be called, the most fashionable congregation in
* This remark, of course, applies only to the street population. -ED.

a

290. - SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

Free Town, and is now in urgent need of enlargement.
Whoever occupies such a post as this, has a possible
position of commanding influence in the colony.
Immediately opposite, and standing away from the
road in its own grounds, and on a rising eminence,
stands the C.M.S. ' Annie Walsh Memorial School,
to which allusion has been made elsewhere. The
English ladies in charge of this admirable institution,
with their African colleagues, are aiming to give a
/ thoroughly practical training to African girls of the
better sort, and the anxiety of parents to place their
children under their care shows that, in their opinion,
the effort is a success.

Looking westward, whither our road lies, we catch
a pretty view of Tower Hill, which forms a beautiful
mound in the midst of Free Town, very much as the
Calton. Hill:or the. Castle: Hill does in. Edinburgh
(may we be forgiven the comparison) We should
weary the reader if we asked him to go with us to
the other end of this extensive town, where the C. M.S.
Grammar School is endeavouring to give a similar
higher training to boys. Every school, whether ele-
mentary or high, as we pass them by, is quite full,
and yet the streets swarm with children, for there is
no-such thing as compulsory education. And all
wbout us, sitting down and eyeing our possessions,
taking a job when they can get one, at other times
stealing, are these country people, who. are coming
amongst us in such increasing numbers, and for

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 201

whom there is as yet no adequate provision. If it
be asked, to what extent do the older residents mix
with these people? the answer is, that the latter form
a class for the most part below them. They are their
servants. Illicit connection there may be, but not
inter-marriage. - Sometimes a large party of superior-
looking natives will arrive in the town from the in-
terior countries, whose object is an interview with the
governor. They sit down in some quarter, keep to
themselves, have their interview, and return. It is
very much the same with those who come to trade.
At present the native Christians, as a body, cannot
be said to be zealous for the conversion of their less
favoured countrymen; and nothing approaching to
the love and self-denial of those who first brought
the Gospel from England to Sierra Leone has, in our
opinion, as yet been manifested here. The names of
devoted men and women, who have given their lives
for the planting of the Gospel among these good
people, may be household words," and we hope they
are, but we have not, we fear, been sutficiently, far
within those precincts to hear We have noticed,
indeed, a caustic tendency to speak of so-and-so as
'of blessed memory] when the writer or speaker is a
laudator temporis acti, at the expense of the policies
and circumstances of the present; but we have not
heard our African friends converse sufficiently either
about the missionary work of the past, or of the
workers, or of their own personal reminiscences and

202 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

private histories, for us to be in a position to report,
as we have once and again been asked to do, on these
points. ' Perhaps the mention of this felt want may
prove suggestive in some quarters.

With the possible exception of the professional
classes, trade is, for the present, the great infatuation.
Money is spoken of in Sierra Leone trade as, not a
means to an end, but as ' the life We fear that with
many it is the same in church matters From the
countryman up to the successful African merchant,
all seem to be born traders Some Africans are
sufficiently substantial to be in a position to lend
thousands of pounds for some government or other
undertaking. - The art of trading, as practised by the
countryman, seems to require for success in it an
utter indifference to the flight of time, and great
shrewdness. He has, of course, many prices; and it
seems to be quite a matter of course, that the first few
sums named for a given article will be cancelled one by
one, until the moment comes when the vendor indig-
nantly packs up his wares and walks away. But even
then it is not finished. A little further patience, and he
will probably be back again and take your price.
All this ignorance of our standards, of the true value
of our goods, and of their own, imposes on us Chris-
tians a solemn responsibility to be straight and true.
Thus trading, which is an honourable way of mak-
ing 'a Mvelihood, if carried on in the fear of God,
and the love of our neighbour, may become a means

 

 

STREET Scr

 

E In Freg Town.

 

 

 

 

A in Free Town.

 

THE MIXED MULTIEUDE 203

of diffusing the principles of the kingdom of God.
We remember an English missionary to West Africa,
who once greatly shocked an excellent and devoted
London clergyman, who had himself spent much of
his fortune on Africa, by asserting that, in Africa,
one had to look on every man as a rogue and a
thief until he was proved to be honest! This state-
ment greatly distressed the clergyman in question,
who thought it a most unchristian sentiment:; and
the missionary at last pacified him by saying that,
if spared to return, he would try the opposite plan.
Alas! he was compelled to report as the result, that,
as he mildly put it, various articles of his property
had been borrowed by the natives, which they had
forgotten to return !' f

As we pass along the streets of Free Town, brushing
against these natives from the interior, we must try
to temember that it is not our roads only that
astonish them, but far more-the utter and sudden
absence of restraint. They have passed from the
sphere of native law, which, no doubt, grew out of
the circumstances of their town, and suited the situa-
tion, to that of British law, which grew ont of British
circumstances, and is brought to this young com-
munity like an article of ready-made clothing. Is
it a wonder if the clothes do not fit? Is it a wonder
that kings and chiefs around Sierra Leone,* instead
of wishing their people to come and sec how well

" This is a well-known fact.

204 SIERRA LEONE IN 1804

we do things, dread for them to come to this colony
on account of the danger to their morals! No doubt
our well-known position on the slavery question has
something to do with this; but when we consider
that adultery, being a social inconvenience with them,
is very severely punished, and with us it is not
punished at all ; and that a man who steals, probably
loses his hand in their country, but, with us, the
British law affords him a good chance of escape,
this reluctance is easily understood. In passing into
this colony, they pass into a liberty which to them
is licence, and, cven if, as of course often happens,
they soon find themselves in a gaol, the accom-
modation, the food, the attention, the industrial
employment-watering the governor's garden, mend-
ing roads, or making mats in a shady quadrangle-
this is all so unlike what they have been accustomed
to call punis/ment, that they are sorry when the time
is up to go out into the cold world and begin again
to.: shift for themselves. Surely it was not want of
Christian charity, but rather a true diagnosis of the
dark and heathenish condition in which these people
have always lived, that made the missionary arrive
at the conclusion stated above. Unless he takes that
view, he knows he will never make a true start, for
he will never have a true basis. And such a view is
not only consistent with the deepest love and truest
pity,. but: it is a: grand safeguard against dis-
appointment. - Feople come to this country and

 

 

Town

FrEE

Kissy STREET,

 

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 205

expect to find in heathendom, and on its borders
loving affection, gratitude, honesty, and truth ; and
they unreasonably brand the poor people as hopeless
material the first time their advances are coldly met,
their confidence is misplaced, or gratitude for some
act of kindness is not forthcoming. Englishmen too
readily forget to trace these grand principles to their
true source. That source is Christ, and only as any
of us-English or African-have received of His
spirit, or, at least, lived long amidst those in whom
His spirit works, will these beautiful features of char-
acter be found.

We have known Englishmen on this coast, who
have taken native boys into their service and actually
given them the keys of all they possessed. Some-
times all has gone well, but at other times disaster
has been the natural result.

Sir Herbert Edwardes used to say in India that, in
dealing with native races, he acted on the principle
of Roping for the best while preparing for the worst.
That 'worst' is always most to be dreaded in that
dangerous period between the probably wrong and
severe restraints of native law and the gradual growth
of that Christian moral sense and fear of God, which
is the best security, in white or black, for loyal obedi-
ence to British law.

Here, then, are these people, whom we have now
followed half through Free Town, this mixed multitude
of camp followers, who not only walk our streets, but

296 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

who get into our houses-it is easy to say the
African Christians must elevate them and improve
them. We hope they will. But let us for a moment
fook at the other side, Think how we in England
have been far removed from heathenism for centuries,
and how, in that isolation (some 3000 miles from the
nearest heathen shore), we have been able, for a long
period, to rear our race in all that is true, lovely and
of sood report. Think. by contrast, of the Sierra
Leone or Lagos householder who desires, as a
Christian, to bmild up true family life, and to bring
up his children in the fear of God and in Christian
purity. honesty and truth. Their very kitchens and
yards tare full of these people. Their streets, as we
saw, ate full of them ; and much is seen and heard
lay, these young people every day that is most
regrettable. All know how casy is the 'down srade,
and if, as is notorionsly the case, the Englishman
abroad, with all his previous advantages, often falls
a victim to degrading influences, we would bespeak
the syinpathy of out readers for our. African fellow
Christians, and we ask them to take note, that it is
not easy to build up Christian churches on the
frontiers of Christendom and on the contines of a

too long neglected heathendom.

We have moralised so long in the midst of Eree
Town, that we have almost forgotten our lionising.
Instead of walking further through these streets, let

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 2097

us turn now towards the hills, and, passing round
Tower Hill and past the prettily-situated cemetery,
recently closed, let us take to our hammocks and
begin the ascent. The boys, on a hint from us,
reverse the hammock, so that we not only sit more
comfortably while the road is so steep, but we catch
lovely peeps as we mount up higher and higher.
Let us take the military road by Heddle's Farm.
This is one of two capital roads recently made. It
winds very prettily round the hills, past a vety pretty
waterfall, and presently we find ourselves (900 feet up)
in the midst of a perfect village of excellent military
dwellings, from a guard room to officers' mess room
and hospital. All this has sprung up during the last
ten years, and must have cost many thousands of
pounds. The West India Regiment is stationed
partly at Tower Hill and partly here. We soon
reach Havelock Plateau,* from whence, as we pause
to look, the view both seawards and landwards is
truly magnificent : Free Town lies beneath and around.
Africa, for a hundred miles or more, is seen in clear
weather. stretched out before us. Silver streams
running in and out, and high mountains far away in
the interior, meet the eye, and the better and cooler
air makes us wish that our daily work lay up in these
parts.

Continuing our hammock ride we soon quit the

* We shrewdly suspect that this is the hill that was named Director's
Hill in the days of the Sierra Leone Company (see Diary). -Alas for
continuity !-En.

298 SIEREKA LEONE IN 1804

military camp on the back side, and pass along, still
gently ascending, towards Leicester. This is one of
our mountain villages, within the parish of Gloucester.
It is a perfect garden. All along the mountain road
that runs up through the village, are orange trees,
often full of blossom and fruit at the same time,
coffee shrubs in great numbers, mango trees, alligator
pear trees, limes and pine-apples everywhere ; and, in
the hollow just below the village, among the water-
courses, are market-gardens, where French beans,
cucumbers, tomatoes, omons, lettuce and cabbages
are grown by the villagers for the Free Town market.
(Where is indeed a very inadequate supply, because
there is mot emouglh persevering toil. The country
folk: come out of their little cottages to see us pass,
and give us,' How do, sa? how missis, Sa? to which
we duly reply, and the next word is, ' Mhanlk ce, sa;
good day, sa,' and it will soon be telegraphed, African
fashion, all over the mountain district, that Mr So-
and-So has come up to the sanatorium on Leicester
Mountain. For thither indeed we are bound. The
fast bit of ascent is very steep indeed, and then we
alight at the C M.S. Sanatornim. This is a very
plain wooden structure on a stone foundation, that
was built some seven years ago, and has been ever
since a boon to the heated and weary worker. The
elevation is about 1500 feet above the sea level, and
all that was said about the view from the Wiilitary
Camp may be said with greater emphasis of this.

 

A Peer or Free Town rrom tus Hicus

 

 

 

THe Raving at Kissy Roap.

 

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 290

The superiority of the air to that of Free Town is
most marked. Blankets are in requisition at night,
and it is possible to spend a good part of each day
up here without being in a bath of perspiration.

As we are not invalids, however, let us, while we
are about it, mount some 400 feet higher, and stand
on the bare summit of Leicester Peak, and see what
is on the 'other side. There, straight below us,
nestling beautifully in its mountain valley, is Regent
Village, with its fine white church and parsonage,
standing out well on a slight eminence; on the
opposite side of the valley, just above Regent, is
Sugar Loaf, its wooded sides rising to nearly 3000
feet. Slightly to the left is the village of Gloucester,
nestling amongst a garden of fruit trees, its church
and parsonage also a prominent feature. Summit after
summit rises in the distance; but we know very
little about them. Turning round and looking in
the direction from which we ascended, first Free Town
stretched out beneath, then the beautiful sea, and the
Isles de Los, some seventy miles northward, and a wider
view of African Continental landscape than we had at
the Military Camp. These hillsides, we are glad to
note, are beginning to be cultivated much more. And
we hope the day will soon come when the colony will
know the true value, for health and other purposes, of
its highland. Some very pretty small deer are found
in these mountains, and we have sometimes had
presents of excellent venison from an African hunter;

300 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

but this is not a pursuit that finds favour with many.
Leopards have been seen quite near this sanatorium
on the look out for a stray fowl or duck. All sorts
of stories reach us sometimes about huge monkeys,
of the size of gorillas, in the mountains, and even of
glephants ; but only in one case has an elephant
story been verified.

Within easy reach of Leicester are the villages of
Regent and Gloucester, which we saw from the peak,
and also Bathurst and Charlotte-all of them parishes
of the Sierra Leone church, and to which allusion has
been made in the chapter on Relics These villages
are not so thickly peopled as in the missionary days,
as the young folk naturally go to town for employ-
ment, and ultimately settle there. The tie that binds
them to their mountain home is evidently a strong
one, however, for on Sunday the churches are as full
as ever. We will conclude this chapter by a description
of a modern Sierra Leone church service. We con-
fess to 3 fear that the loud and hearty responses, for
which Sierra Leone was once so famous, are becoming
less and less usual, and now that music is asserting
itself so loudly, those who are responsible must see
to it that the old abuse of parson and clerk" shall not
now degenerate into the new abuse of parson and
choir ) - Everything is an abuse that silences the
general congregation ; and what are called ' services'

* It must, in fairness to Sierra Leone, be confessed that this
ancient abuse was never known here.

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 301

and difficult music have much to answer for in this
direction. The clergy can guide this evolution if they
choose, and we venture, at the expense of being
thought egotistical, to tell our readers about our
service at St George's Cathedral, to which, in its
diocesan relations, allusion is made elsewhere. From
having been an entirely plain service, conducted
amidst the oppressive surroundings of deep galleries
along the three sides, and high pews, it had become,
immediately after its restoration by Governor Have-
lock, very much too ornate. Although the African
has been apparently satisfied with the monotonous
tom-tom for unknown ages, he no sooner hears our
English Church music than hie most decidedly takes
to it. Without any teaching, he will quickly and
naturally take his part in the singing, and understand
harmony perfectly well. This is not to say he needs
no training. He needs it much, and repays it fairly
well: One of his great ampitions will be to possess
a harmonium, and by hook or by crook he will learn
to play itt You will be sure to hear the Sunday
hymn tunes, if they were of a taking character, being
hummed or whistled during the week about the
streets. Such talent, of course, needs to be wisely
directed in church matters, or sad indeed will be the
result. It was our opinion that things were attempted
in our cathedral, in anthem and service, beyond the
power of choir and congregation, and unedifying to
both. But being untaught in music, and having then

302 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

no chaplain who could help, a very desultory state of
things existed for some time. We know not whether
our views will commend themselves to our readers
but looking at this cathedral as giving the key-note
to a native pastorate in this new land, we felt there
were were some features of the English cathedral
service which certainly need not be reproduced. For
instance, we declined to allow. either intemng of
monotoning. by the clergy man, as utterly forced and
unnatural. | Ihe only apology we have been ever
able to obtain for it in England is, that the voice
catrles better in an immense space and under
a high vaulted roof \WVe have neither, and so we
gladly dispense with what is to us an objectionable
artificiality in the worship of Almighty God. We
considered that the confession should be said in a
humble voice, as directed, and that the singing of it,
however beautiful, was neither expressive of confes-
sion, nor spiritually helpful - We decided that,
wherever the Lord's Prayer occurred in the service,
it should be said and not sung. We felt we could
understand creeds being sung ; but, nevertheless, we
preferred to have them loudly said. But, with these
exceptions, we allow, under capable direction, full
latitude to the musical talent of the choir and congre-
gation. The responses, versicles, amens, the psalms (in
the evening), bright hymns, an anthem once a month,
and on high festivals-these are all rendered with
increasing correctness, not only by the choir, but by

THE MIXED MULTITUDE 303

our large congregation. And we consider our method
of reserving our burst of praise until after confession,
absolution and prayer, as we sing, ' And our mouth
shall show forth Thy praise,' is more in accordance
with the idea of the Prayer-Book, than the weary
sing-song from beginning to end which prevails in
some churches that we know in England:. Our
choir is surpliced, as is. the case im. the other city,
churches ; but we know none of the ecclesiastical
distinctions of 'high, 'low, and ' broad ' that prevail
elsewhere, and we trust such confusing distinctions
will not be allowed to intrude themselves into Sierra
leone We divide our services. in such a way, as
to avoid weariness in such a climate ; but we must
confess to a great regret that our predecessors, when
first they built these churches, insisted on frequenting
them between eleven and one o'clock on Sunday-
the very hottest and weariest portion of the African
day, and certainly no time for sitting dressed up, and
mostly in constrained positions, and worshipping
withal ! We hope the day will come when the Sierra
Leone churches will have a more reasonable forenoon
hour, as at Lagos, where, by the special wish of the
African pastorate, the hour is now eight o'clock.*
The great ambition of the cathedral clergy at
present is a peal of bells and a rea/ organ. I
former can be had and used without being an annoy-

* This hour was adopted in the cathedral from Easter Day of this
present year,

304 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

ance to the neighbourhood, and the latter without
overdoing us with music, may their ambition be
realised. We say so the more because our cathedral
is, as we have shown elsewhere, endeavouring to do
its duty well towards the pastorate, and also our
Church missions. These, and similar spiritual forces
standing first, we would encourage as reverent and
beautiful a service as possible, expressive of the
spiritual aspirations of the congregation, subject only
to such modifications as we have sketched above.

We know we carry many with us when we close
this chapter, with a prayer that this central church,
with her fourteen satellites through this colony, may
ever remain, amongst the mixed multitudes whom we
have been trying to describe, 'a witness and keeper of
holy writ, a candlestick from which the true light
will ever shine, 'a congregation of faithful men,
wherein the pure word of God is preached, and the
sacraments duly administered," and also be a nursery,
not only of many souls for heaven, but also of many
sons and daughters destined to go forth as Christ's
witnesses in backward Africa-and this may she
loyally, loving, patiently do-

"Until He come !'

CHAPIER XI

SIERRA LEONE IN 1894.-GENERAL APPEARANCE-
-- CLIMATE - GOVERNMENT - MANNERS AND
CUSTOMS

* According to this time it shall be said . . . What hath
God wrought ?'

LET us now look at Sierra Leone from another side,
and try to see it with the eyes of a traveller approach-
ing it from the sea.

It is impossible not be impressed with the general
appearance of this colony. A peninsula, mountain-
ous throughout, about twenty-six miles long and
twelve broad, standing out to sea from a perfect
pancake flatness of coast line, cannot but be a strik-
ing feature. A harbour of such depth and capacity
that the finest fleet in the world can lie safely at
anchor, a landing (almost unique on the west coast)
free from the dangers and inconveniencies of a heavy
surf-these points must ever make Free Town, its
capital, important as a seaport. The wonderful
vegetation that clothes the country up to the very
tops of the highest hills has already been mentioned.
Almost every kind of tropical fruit grows here, and
that with little aid from cultivation ; and Sierra

U

306 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

Leone is the well-known market-garden for passing
ships. The thought at once arises in the reader's
mind, as he notices this not unattractive description,
'What about the climate? and why has a place so
favourably situated, been so fatal to Europeans in the
past, that it is still known as " Ihe White Man's
Grave: -

Fhe answer to this question involves grave respon-
and is most important in its bearing on the
ends for which this book is sent forth.

Sierra Leone, it has been seen, was a colonising
experiment at a time when little was known about
the tropics, or how to adapt ourselves to them, or
of the diseases peculiar to them. It has been pointed
out how many avoidable, but then unperceived, mis-
takes were made a hundred years ago. But these
facts cannot explain all the heavy mortality that has
occurred in this colony, and the conclusion must in-
evitably be drawn, that the climate is not friendly to
the European constitution. We are convinced, how-
ever, that much may be done by way of adaptation.
Facts prove that health and strength may be success-
fully maintained for excellent work, and therefore a
few further words, suggested by experience, may not
be out of place.

Every newcomer to this part of Africa will almost
certainly have a seasoning of African fever. , And
any imprudence or sudden check of perspiration is
likely to bring it on from time to time: But this

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC. 307

fever is very simple, and well understood, so long as
there are no complications, and the treatment adopted
tends to relieve the system much when the attack has
passed away. It is a fever that rapidly finds out the
weak places in the system ; and those who will live
longest, and work best in Africa, are not so much
the strong and robust, and full-blooded, perhaps, as
those who, though not altogether as vigorous as might
be wished, are yet sound in wind and limb. - The
desiderata for health in these parts are, that people
should learn to adapt themselves to the country ;
never attempt to do. work by spurts, never overtife
or exhaust the frame, and avoid irregularity or in-
sufficiency in taking food. Whatever tends to lower
the system, invites the climate to assert its injurious
influences. Steady, quiet work from day to day
regular rest at night, a quiet noon-tide hour for rest
and reading or sleep, a little food at frequent intervals,
the maintenance, as tar as possible, of a quict mind-
these are not only aduisable here, as everywhere else,
but they would appear to be essential to any long
stay in the country.. The African climate is blamed
for much of which it is not guilty. Neglect of sani-
tary matters brings a very speedy nemesis under an
equatorial sun, and it is to be feared that much pre-
ventable disease is generated by the very natural
ignorance of the country people on these subjects.

It is popularly said, and said with too much truth,
that 'the climate is carried about in a black bottle,

308 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

for it cannot be denied, that excessive drinking has
slain, and continues to slay, many Europeans along
this coast. Sad instances are constantly coming to
light, which go to prove how destructive this baneful
habit is. _ This is no country for reformed drunkards
who have suddenly become total abstainers ; but the
climate demands great moderation in all things, and
his own experience justifies the writer in strongly hold-
ing that people get on far better here without these
exciting and heating beverages. here is, then, no
reason whatever why English men and women should
not do excellent work in this part of Africa. They
must be content to recruit their energies in their own
country from time to time, they will never successfully
colonise or settle, but there is much that they can con-
tribute towards the planting of 'peace and happiness,
truth and righteousness, religion and piety ' in regions
where such principles are only beginning to be known.
Such a work can be done. and is being done. The
only difficulty is, that the labourers are so few. And
so long as Sierra Leone is erroneously supposed to be
a dark dismal African swamp, and 'the white man's
grave ;' so long as good and excellent people, who will
cheer a regiment going to Ashanti, put on a face of
horror the moment they hear of anyone, near akin to
them, being appointed to labour in Sierra Leone; so
long will it be impossible to persuade our best men
and women to give to its native churches the helping
hand they urgently require. Much has been said

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC. 309

about the that have occurred in Sierra Leone,
but nothing has been said of the swrvivais. A careful
list of governors, officials, merchants, and missionaries
who have weathered the climate would perhaps throw
an improved light upon the situation. And it will
certainly glorify God to believe, and act more than we
are prone to do on the belief, that 'in His hand are
all the corners of the carth.

It will continue to be true that English people will
lose much vigour of body and nerve in these places ;
that they will never be quite at their best ; that very
unusual attention must be given to health ; and that
too lengthy a residence on the coast seems to be a
mistake both for the worker and the work ; but it has
been very clearly demonstrated, and we hope this
chapter may assist thereto, that much good work can
be done by them in this part of Africa, and certainly
in a colony so favourably situated as Sierra Leone.

It continues to be a Crown colony. Not many years
ago it was felt to be not impossible that some day it
might find itself transferred to some other power
by way of settling some national dispute. Uneasy
rumours to such an effect have at times been current,
and the more so, as the British Government has been
well known not to be infatuated with its West African
possessions. - But this fear has been set at rest during
the past ten years, by the decision to make Sierra
Leone an Imperial coaling station, and by the coff-
sequent fortification of the colony at the cost of many

310 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

thousands of pounds. This was another most im-
portant step in the direction of permanence which the
Sierra Leone Company could not foresee, but which is
an additional justification of the selection they made.

A small corps of Royal Artillery and Engineers, a
battalion of the West India Regiment, and an increas-
ing force of Home and Frontier Police all tend to
indicate that the position is thought worth retaining.
The growth of the colony from the peninsula to the
borders of Liberia, the recent acquisition of Port
Lokkoh and adjacent country, and the apparent dis-
position of Government to cultivate friendly relations
with interior tribes, all tend to show that the situation
is thought worth extending. And, if French enter-
prise has not already made it impossible, Sierra
Leone will eventually be the emporium for a large
interior trade, extending even to the sources of the
Niger.

When the abundant arrangements for efficiency,
made by the Sierra Leone Company a hundred years
ago. are borne in mind, it is difficult to be satisfied
with the progress of Sierra Leone as a colony." Two
facts will go far to account for this, namely,-the
obvious immaturity of its African population, and the
short tenure of office on the part of Europeans, none
of whom reside a day after their business is done or
their leave is due. "The one will account for the fact,
that no general sense of citizenship has hitherto been
realised, and no readimess has therefore been as yet

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC. 311

manifested to bear any burden of taxation whereby
to meet its responsibilities.

The other will explain that want of continuity
which is ever so fatal to progress. It is understood
that the municipal idea which was launched in 1794
is to be realised in 1894, with this suggestive differ-
ence, that then it was European throughout, now it
is African, and is to depend upon some system of
local taxation. It is obvious that, until this sense of
citizenship is fully awakened and makes itself felt, the
Government will do as little as possible in those
departments that are felt rightly and properly to fall
within the jurisdiction of a municipality. Roads,
lights, increased water supply, sanitation, and many
other necessities, await this, municipality. In. a
situation where nature is so kind and helpful, Free
Town could have been, long ere this, the cleanest,
best-drained and best-watered town on the African
sea-board, and better health would have been the
happy result. Itis difficult to understand how it is
that so little amelioration has been attempted during
more than fourscore years of Crown administration,
but we suppose we shall be told that Sierra Leone
has been a philanthropic effort and not an ordinarily
developed colony, and that philanthropy costs money.

The streets of Free Town continue as formerly to
be filled, as we have already described, with interior
peoples, bringing their rice, skins, rubber, ivory, fats
or curios, either to sell for cash or to exchange for

312 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

cloth, rum, gin and gunpowder. And the revenue
of the colony is now some £80,000 per annum. The
population by the last census returns was 74,000.
like governor is assisted in his administration by a
fegislative and an executive, council. The judicial
department is under an English chief justice, with an
African queen's advocate, an English police magistrate,
and master of the court and an African bar. In all
the departments, whether the secretariat, the medical,
customs or police, although Europeans preside, the
African community furnishes all the clerks and under
officials, and excellent employment and useful train-
ing thus await the educated young men of the colony.

It is obvious that there can be no immemorial
usage in a colony but a hundred years old, whose
inhabitants have been drawn thither at so many
different dates; and it should also be understood
that, as the people are not even a community yet,
no custom or usage is necessarily common to all.*

A study of the people in Free Town streets, where
Africans are to be seen in every stage of dress and
undress, from the masher to the stark-naked country
boy, from the over-dressed female to her far too
scantily covered country sister, will at once indicate
to the observer the crude character of the settlement.

The appearance of Free Town and its well-arranged

* Several local associations exist for the forming of a public opinion
amongst Africans on the temperance question, and progress is being
made.

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC, 313

streets (for which it appears to be indebted to its
first governor), lying along the northern base of
the Sierra Leone mountains, with its shops and
dwelling-houses sloping down to the waterside, is
distinctly pleasing when seen from the deck of
the ship. But a nearer view is not quite so satis-
factory. - The unpaved and grass-grown streets,
the absence of sidewalks, the open gutters, the poor
arrangements for lighting, the inattention to sanitary
matters, of which one's nose gives at times a painful
reminder, suggests, at first sight, a very Zeisses aire
régime, and makes one long for the coming munici-
pality, in the hope that it will soon have greater
results to show. A longer acquaintance with the
country, however ; a few visits into the impenetrable
African bush ; a slight acquaintance with the desul-
toriness of African labour ; and a personal experience
of the difficulties created by the climate, will tend
in time to beget a truer appreciation of progress
made. Locomotion is the great difficulty ; as in
Africa, generally, so also in this colony.

Horses do _ not-thrive. Mules and bullocks and
donkeys are scarcely known, and therefore wheel
traffic is very uncommon. - Trucks for heavy mer-
chandise are little used, but all sort of loads are
carried on people's heads. The hammock and the
chair are the only means of street locomotion. The
hammock is usually made of African grasses/f is
swung on poles, and rests on four men's heads. It

314 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

is at present the only possible vehicle through many
parts of the country. The cheerfulness and alacrity
of the carriers soon satisfy the traveller that he is not
much of a burden, and it is possible to enjoy a
hammock ride, The Sedan chair, mostly of Ameri-
can make, requires one or two men to draw it, and
depends for its comfort on the state of the streets,
which is usually very bad indeed.

The commonest sight on the wharf and on the
head of the countryman, as he wends his way out
of the town where he has been selling his rice, is a
demijohn of rum or a green case of gin, and it is
a sight full of sad augury for the future.

-/ It is somewhat startling, by way of contrast, to see
in orderly march, along these streets so full of un-
civilised humanity, now a procession of well-dressed
young ladies belonging to the C.M.S. High School
for Girls (the Annie Walsh: Memorial), or of the
C.M.S. Grammar School for boys, with their excellent
band, or some school treat or temperance /¥¥e, with
their resplendent banners and inevitable drumming.
These are sights, on the other hand, full of happy
augury for the future, and they tell of real, work
steadily going forward.

Then, again, one will very often meet a wedding
procession emerging from one of Free Town's many
churches 'or chapels, and, as everybody here knows,
or is related to. everybody, a wedding is a largely
patronised institution in this city, and every other

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC. 315

engagement, it seems, must yield thereto. | Here it
is most grotesque to see the surging crowd of scantily-
clothed country folk rushing to, the sight, and so
bringing out into bolder relief the latest wedding
fashions of the West End of London-from the
artificial orange-blossom bouquet to the white satin
slipper. - What is_believed-to be _ English-eustonm is
most closely imitated. Silk hats, with all their-head-
aching results, are most scrupulously worn ; and the
incessant tom-tom, as it accompanies the festivities
throughout the day, is a reminder of how rapid the
development from pure native custom has been.

Another institution largely patronised is the funeral.
People seem always ready for one. Funeral robes
black for adults, white for the young-seem to be
kept in readiness for these occasions, and they are
apparently attended without any particular reference
to the degree of regard for the deceased. | The rules
of ' Friendly Societies no doubt. have something to
do with this. We have known even a servant boy
fined half-a-crown for non-attendance.

Such mutual distrust still prevails amongst the
people, that no one seems ever supposed to have
died a natural death; It is hard to say that poison,
ing is actually attempted on any large scale. Certainly
it is widely feared. Nothing goes. to.prove this so
much as the fact that people do. not cat in one
another's houses, except at a large spread, When
there is safety in numbers. Thus real fellowship is

316 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

hindered. - There are funeral customs, and also mar-
riage customs, which we are sure a clearer view of
the gospel will make our people reject. Their
common sense, it is to be hoped, will soon rebel
against the unwisdom of spending their all on the
wedding festivities, and there are more signs of a
right view in these respects.

The great desideratum in the social life of the
colony is the sanctity of the marriage relationship,
and the creation and maintenance of home and
family life. There are plain signs here and there of
the beginnings of this; but the comparative absence
of the ideas of love and fellowship from the marriage
tie, utterly wrong views about the relative duties of
husband and wife, tend to encourage concubinage,
and this degrades woman from her true place, be-
comes the fruitful source of strife and disunion, and
children dragged up under these circumstances are
apt to see and hear much that is most unfortunate.

Europeans have often confused the situation still
more by their condfict, and those who can read
between the lines will see that there is much in Free
Town society that is a great anxiety to those who
have the well-being of the people at heart, and who
know that evils appear to be tolerated in this place
that surely tend to eat out the very life and energy
of any people.

The occupation of the people of all classes seems,
as has already been said, to be trading. The female

316 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

hindered. - There ave funeral customs, and also mar-
riage customs, which we are sure a clearer view of
the gospel will make our people reject. Their
common sense, it is to be hoped, will soon rebel
against the unwisdom of spending their all on the
wedding festivities, and there are more signs of a
fight view in these respects.

Whe great desideratum in the social life of the
colony is the sanctity of the marriage relationship,
and the creation and maintenance of home and
family life. There are plain signs here and there of
the beginnings of this ; but the comparative absence
of the ideas of love and fellowship from the marriage
tie, utterly wrong views about the relative duties of
husband and wife, tend to encourage concubinage,
and this degrades woman from her true place, be-
comes the fruitful source of strife and disunion, and
children dragged up under these circumstances are
apt to see and hear much that is most unfortunate.

Europeans have often confused the situation still
more by their conduct, and those who can read
between the lines will see that there is much in Free
Bown society that is a great anxiety to those who
have the well-being of the people at heart, and who
know that evils appear to be tolerated in this place
that surely tend to eat out the very lite and energy
of any people.

The occupation of the people of all classes seems,
as has already been said, to be trading. The female

GENERAL APPEARANCE-CLIMATE-ETC. 317.

sex, to their own deterioration, lead the way. Manual
trades, such as carpentering, cabinet-making, build-
ing, etc., are most imperfectly understood and there
seems to be no high standard of technical attain-
ment in the colony at which would-be proficients
can aim. The medium of communication is supposed
to be English throughout the colony, and when
education has made better progress, this will be
realised ; but at present a miserable patois, commonly
known as 'pidgin' English, does duty for the real
thing, and a lazy indulgence in it is not only
keeping the people back, but it is a fruitful parent
of some of those palavers and misunderstandings of
which there are so many in this backward land.

It is difficult to deal with the characteristics of a
people of so many different tribes, and perhaps
more need not be said than this : that the educated
people of Sierra Leone are proud of the progress their
race has been permitted to make during this century ;
that they are keen to give their children a better start
than they themselves had ; that the best and most
worthy amongst them are well aware of the weak-
nesses peculiar to the race in its present stage of
development-weaknesses, let us remember, for which
the white races are more responsible than they are
willing to acknowledge. And the conclusion we would
draw from a consideration of the circumstances de-
"im

detailed in this chapter is, that the stronger and"more

advanced race are debtors to this people who, with

318 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

their sad legacy of woes, are now so generally coming
into contact with what is called civilisation. And
much may be done by example and by precept to
correct whatever is hurtful, and to awaken and direct
the energies of all alike towards the amelioration of
that dark interior country, whose woes and whose
wrongs can, almost be Zeard and fe/t by those who
have ears to hear and hearts to feel, on the very
borders of this favoured colony.

Copied from *The Statesman's Year Book, 1893.

 

Sierra Leong, including the Island of Sherbro and
much adjoining territory, extends from the Scarcies River
to the Nofth, to the border of Liberia in the South-
180. miles.

Sierra Leone proper has 400 square miles; population
(census 1891), 74,835, of whom 224 are whites.

Protestants, 40,790; Roman Catholics, s;1:; Moham-
medans. 7,306 ; the rest Pagans.

STATISTIGS OF THE WHOLE

Revenue. Expenditure. Debt.

 

Area Population
Square Miles. |- (Estimated).
15,000 180,000 {89.860 |. 477,005 £50,000
| Imports from Exports to Tonnage
Total Imports. - Total Exports. | United United entered and
| - Kingdom. Kingdom. cleared.

Ka53378 [| £477,656 | £sazmo3t | £2812q4 | 842,523

CH APIER XLI

SIERRA LEONE IN 1894--ITS CHRISTIANITY
* Strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us.'

THIS is a difficult subject. It will be impossible to
deal with it so as to please all readers. But truth is
the first object, and to speak it responsibly, and in
love is the writer's aim.

This is the proper place for recognising the work
of the Wesleyan body, of the Methodist Free Church,
and other smaller bodies. The Wesleyans appear to
have laboured here from the year 1811, and the fact
that their denomination embraces a large portion of
the population, and many of the most prosperous in
the community, is due to much noble and devoted
work. - The Free Church is a more recent importation,
and we fully recognise its energetic endeavours. The
Lady Huntingdon connection seems to have had its
day, and on its foundation the American Methodist
Episcopal Churches are making themselves felt.
Since 1864 the Church of Rome has been represented
in the colony. It has its pro-cathedral, a missiof in
Sherbro, a convent school under six Sisters of Mercy

319

320 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

in Freetown, and it numbered, by the late census
(1591) 'between five and six hundred adherents.
There is a superintending priest resident at Free Town,
assisted by two others of that order.

{t will not be thought unnatural, if now we turn
from the mere mention of these Christian bodies to
speak of the Church of England in Sierra Leone, as
we see it to-day ; and then, as the title of our chapter
demands, of the general Christianity of the colony.

The Church of England in Sierra Leone has a
cathedral, and some sixteen parishes or districts
throughout Free Town and the colony. The cathe-
dral was one of those churches which were built by
an agreement, to which allusion has been made, in
the year 1822. It was then known as St George's
Church. Upon the creation of the Bishopric, it be-
came a cathedral, and is so cited in the royal
letters-patent. - The building contains within it
so many memorial tablets, that it is almost pos-
sible to read a history of the colony on its walls.
The colonial chaplain * has charge of the services
under the bishop or dean; and there are signs
that this cathedral is beginning to realise its im-
portant relation to the church and diocese in very
hopeful ways. A canon-missioner t is attached to the

chapter for the development of the spiritual life of
the diocese.

* The Rev. Canon Spain (an African clergyman),
* The Rev. Canon J. Taylor Smith,.

ITS ~CHRISTIANITY 321

The churches, parsonages and schools throughout
the colony are nearly all of them the property of
the Church Missionary Society. Their missionaries
built and occupied them, and they are now granted
by lease to the Sierra Leone Church Committee
for the nse of the native pastorate, The mission
stage began practically to develop into the native
pastorate stage in 1861; and the last decade has
witnessed the realisation of the entire local support
of these churches, as well as the settlement of a
constitution, by the rules of which all parties, bishop,
clergy and laity, are equally bound. | The Sierra
Leone Church has its own elementary schools in
each parish or district; and it has also a missionary
society, by which it seeks to evangelise the neigh-
bouring Bullom and Quiah countries The Church
Council, which assists the Bishop in administration,
the Church Committee which has charge of the
buildings and funds, the Church School Board and the
Patronage Board, are all elected by the pastors and
by communicants, the Bishop and the C.M.S. being
represented by their own nominees. The constitu-
tion provides for five year appointments to the
various pastorates. These appointments are renew-
able for another five years, but the Patronage
Board may, if the interests of the church so require,
change a clergyman's district at any time within
that period, and all removal expenses are borne by
the Central Church Committee It would appear

x

322 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

that the outward and visible organisation of this
church is not only adapted to the circumstances of
the colony and people, but that it furnishes a much
appreciated sphere for clerical and lay co-operation
in Christian work ; and it is felt that there is just
that latitude for adaption to African needs which
makes it capable of much hopeful development in
days to come. Before passing on to the wider
subject of the Christianity of the colony, a preju-
diced writer may be pardoned for praising a little
the system and forms of his own church. There
is something so suitable to a people without any
previous literature of their own, in our Book of
Common Prayer, that we are not surprised to find
other Protestant bodies largely imitating our method
in this respect. The terse and expressive petitions
in the collects, the selected scriptures, the creeds, the
suftrages, the canticles, instead of being intricate,
ate found most easy and helpful; and they keep
before our African Christians true standards of faith
and prayer and praise, and so, as an educating

medium alone, our book of Common Prayer is

found most helpful, and produces an unusually
congregational response. There will, of course, be
cases of parrot-like repetition; there will be a
peculiar Mability to hyprocrisy and cant, but we
incline to think that any forms are open to such
abuse, and that the balance is greatly in favour of
such forms as ours in the hand of a church that

ITS CHRISTIANITY 323

is to do missionary work amongst the hitherto un-
evangelised races of mankind. The thought of the
constant repetition of the Ten Commandments, with
responsive prayers for mercy and grace, in so many
of our pastorates on Sundays and other Holy days, is
always a satisfaction to those who realise that the
process by which the moral sense of these people
is to be quickened, must be by, line npon line,
precept upon precept, here a little, and there a
little."

When we come to deal with the Christianity
of this colony, we are aware that we are on very
delicate ground.

Perhaps it will be better to deal with English
people first, But here the field is so limited, and
those we have known, even during eleven years, are so
few in comparison with the people of the country,
that it is difficult not to seem to deal in personalities.
The truth, however, must be stated, that only a
limited number of those of our countrymen who
come to these West Coast colonics, appear to wish
to be known as our fellow-Christians. This is a very
great loss. It introduces much unnecessary. con-
fusion into our work amongst people of other races,
and it ought not to be dismissed without an effort
to artive at some explanation. "Ihe fact is, that so
long as we English people are at home, surrounded
and supported by the scaffiolding of Christian
public opinion, association and church machinery,

324 SIERRA LEONE IN 18094

we scarcely realise our true standing ; but when we go
abroad to the very frontiers of Christendom, to lands
where there is absolutely no public opinion on the side
of right and truth and purity, where a few isolated mis-
sionaries are perhaps diligently and most imperfectly
nursing it into active life, it is there that we are im-
mediately put to the test, and unless we have " the root
of the matter' in us, we soon discover that, without
that scaffolding, we cannot stand ; everything in this
elementary region suggests unbending and com-
promise, and, if we do 'not learn the ways -of the
heathen, we learn ways that are not Christian.

When, as sometimes happens, a man is a Christian
indeed, he co-operates in every possible way, and
renders help that is help indeed, because. of its
obviously unprofessional character. But too often
this happens : English people are the result, as to
character, of English Christianity. Independently
of personal conviction, they have insensibly and in-
directly developed much Christian character. There
will be seen, therefore, at times, some strange contra-
dictions about them. Side by side with indulgence
in some wrong appetite, there will be, let us say;
utter and outspoken abhorrence of a lie, of other
underhand ways, and of many of those immoral prac-
tices which are usually the besetting tendency of
the newly evangelised.

Where this arises in the minds of these English
folk a cynical indifference to evangelisation, whirh

ITS CHRISTIANITY 3 2p

is only too apt to develop into active hostility.
Native youths, calling themselves educated Christians,
have used their slender stock of knowledge to forge
and cheat and steal, and therefore these men will
say all education is a mistake. - Heathen country
boys have not yet learnt to handle these dangerous
tools, and therefore we are told that they are best
left as they are. Such rejoinders as these are con-
stantly being thrown at the Christian worker in
places where civilisation and heathenism come into
direct contact, as in this colony. In all arguments
of this character, a vote of censure is implied on all
missionary work, and there is something at first
sight so plausible in them, that it is most important
to consider what there is to be said on the other
side.. And thus we are led to deal with the
Christianity of the greater number in this colony.

We venture to say, at once, that those only can
apprehend the laws and workings of the kingdom
of God who are themselves subject to its principles.
The missionary of the Cross may fairly be supposed
to fulfil this condition. He has not only made a
study of the possibilities of the Gospel, but he has
some experience of its power in his own case and
that of others. Me, moreover, studies the native
language, and thereby the native people And
although lookers-on may think they see most of
the game, they have not considered, as the missionary
has, the terrible disabilities created by centuries of

326 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

evil inheritance, the crudeness of the material that
has to be worked upon, the vastness of the chasm
between the principles of Christianity and the super-
stition, craft, cunning, falsehood and cruelty that
each generation of these people has hitherto drunk
in, we will say, with its mother's milk. The mis-
sionary does not limit the power of the Spirit of
God. He rejoices when he sees one and another
having a will to turn their back on wrong and do
right. If he is not careful, indeed, he will mistake
a precociousness in appropriating Christian forms for
spiritual progress, but daily experience will remind
him, in the language of one of his own church's
articles, that 'much infection of nature doth remain,
yea, in them that are regenerate. He will often be
pained, but never surprised or discouraged, at the
slow growth of the moral sense, and that will often
seem to outsiders to be gross Aypocrisy, which he
knows to be only xom-realisation. He will come to
recognise that, in the case of a hitherto bullied and
brow-beaten race, generations, perhaps, must pass be-
fore power and influence and rule are likely to be gener-
ally exercised in an impartial and balanced manner.
When we come to consider mefkods, we shall be
open to criticism, but we think there is no question
as to who understands the situation best: the mer-
chant, who resides in these lands for his own advan-
tage, and who merely wishes to use Africans as so
many hands in his factory or shop ; or the missionary,

ITS CHRISTIANITY ¥y3

who resides there for the permanent development and
wellbeing, now and for ever, of those who have been,
to a great extent through European greed hitherto,
so handicapped in the race of life. But lest it should
appear that a blind and partial apology is being
made for Sierra Leone Christianity, and lest we
should seem to conceal facts that have come under
our actual observation, it is now necessary to write
as fairly as possible of the degree in which ' Chris-
tianity may be said to be in possession ' in this colony.

The recent census (1891) discloses the startling
fact that, in a population now amounting to some
74,000, Mohammedans and Pagans, as we have
already pointed out, number not far short of one-
half, Let it be clearly understood, that this does not
mean any falling away from the churches. It is
owing to the influx of country people, with which,
however, the churches are scarcely attempting, as yet,
to grapple. We do not believe that, when the native
pastorate was established, it was realised that there
would be such urgent necessity for aggressive work
within the colony. And there appears at present
but little hope that the pastorate, unaided, will be in
a position to cope with the situation thus created.
But when Mohammedans and heathen are sitting
down in this settlement, making charms and selling
them to Christian people, when their ' medicine-men '
are resorted to on every critical occasion, when old
customs that have been formally disowned are paraded

328 SIERRA LEONE IN 1894

before eyes, for which they have an inherited fascina-
tion, there must be danger of no ordinary kind to an
infant Christianity so: situated. - And when these
allurements are more aggressive than the forces op-
posed to them, the situation becomes critical.. Such
a situation, we hesitate not -to say, exists in the
Sierra Leone of 1894. And until strong convictions
take hold of some more amongst our native clergy
and laity, making them willing to be conspicuous, to
be separate, to bear odium and reproach for their
convictions, until evidence is thus afforded that the
claims of Christ are fully admitted, there can be no
advance. It is not preac/ing that is so much needed
now as Zeadership. An Englishman somewhat fails
at this point, because all his ways are apt to be called
©English fashion."

Side by side with this unaggressiveness is what
may be called a sort of religious worldliness. - We
may best describe it in this way : While the English-
man, who is very worldly in his habits, will ignore
the church, and not wish to be thought a communi-
cant, with our Africans it is, at present, at least,
absolutely the reverse Church membership is not
the. guarantee. of character that it is, perhaps, in
England.. This seems, no doubt, to cast a slur on
church discipline, but it must be stated.. It must,
moreover, be confessed that the voluntary principle
by which these churches are maintained, is peculiarly
liable to the danger of severity towards the poor

 

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ITS CHRISTIANITY $20

offender 'and. lenienty to the »/. And it is also
noticeable that where, as in Free Town, there are dis-
sipations and attractions of a worldly character, there
is no observable tendency, as yet, on the part of any
to keep apart from that sort of thing, in order to
give themselves up more completely to the cultiva-
tion of the spiritual life. We judge no one. We
merely mention facts, to enable those who do not
know our colony to understand better the extent
and depth of religious conviction. But while this is
the case, there are signs that leaders in the church,
leaders in society. leaders in resistance to hurtful
customs, who can show a 'clean bill of health ' them-
selves, are not only tolerated, but welcomed by the
Sierra Leone people. Such a tribute will our Africans
willingly pay to virtue, and in this fact there is no
little hope for the race.*

From all that has been said, it will be seen to be
no slight responsibility to have brought these Africans»
as we see them in this colony, to their present stage of
evolution. It is difficult for those who have not lived
amongst them to realise the imperfect perspective, and
the confusion of ideas that must inevitably be the re-
sult of their late contact with civilisation. Mission-
aries were sent out in the early days, and easily per-
suaded the settlers in this colony to become adherents

* We can also unhesitatingly say, that our Africans have too deep a
sense that there is a spiritual sphere, to be very liable to the infidel
propaganda of the day.

330 SIERRA LEONE IN 1804

of a Christianity that was associated with so evident
a philanthropy. Their children and grandchildren,
who have appropriated our language, and dress, and
forms of religion, and some of our habits, appeal to
us to-day, with even more force than their ancestors,
to develop and guide aright those faculties which
the Word and Spirit of God have quickened.

With this brief word of summary we would bring
these sketches and contrasts to a close. Sure we are
that any attempt at evangelisation in Western Africa
that neglects to make use of this excellent basis,
or that ignores the possibilities of Sierra Leone, will
miss its mark. If the Government have thought
well to make it a permanent coaling station for Im-
perial [purposes, no less must we continue to make
it more and more a basis for operations in connection
with the Kinedom of Christ, For such a basis,
the many advantages of its situation give excellent
promise.

   

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27%. \,\\LL'\'\'" a_
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THE ANNIE WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOOL.

CHAP! ER X LLJ

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA
'I stir up . . . by way of remembrance."

IT may assist others to maintain the succession which
has been so worthily inaugurated by good men and
true in the past, if some persorial experiences, and
some local ideas can be recorded, by way of bringing
this work actually up to date. They must indeed
be limited to those circumstances that will not in-
terfere with the rules of good taste, nor injuriously
affect the reputations, of living men. Within these
limits we believe some facts of general interest can
be gleaned.

Readers of this book will like to know something
about the voyage to Sierra Leone, and with this
interesting subject we propose to begin.

Nothing illustrates the progress that has been made
during a hundred years, better than the vast improve-
ment in the means of locomotion. Let the feader
glance at our picture of the Sierra Leone Company's
ships in 1792, and then let him lool at some of our
West African mail steamers that so out of Liver.

331

332 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

pool every Saturday, and let him remember the six
weeks' passages of those sailing craft, and note that
the voyage can be made now in twelve days or a
fortnight, and he will be thankful that he lives in
the year of grace 1894.

Let us imagine ourselves on the splendid Liverpool
landing-stage some Saturday morning at about eleven
o'clock. It is no imagination to us. It has often
been a painful reality. The weekly mail steamer for
West African ports is about to start, and her tender
is just leaving the stage. It is impossible to tell who
is going and who is not, of the great crowd on the
deck of this tender. We are soon alongside the mail
boat. The process of identifying luggage, the hopes
and fears as to the acquisition of a cabin to ourselves,
or, failing that, of agreeable companions in those
narrow circumstances-all these cares, with last words
and last looks to relations and friends, who have come
to see us of, claim the first attention on reaching
our ship. And when the last warning bell has gone,
and all communication with the shore, except through
the pilot, is at an end, we have leisure to observe our
surroundings. We scan with a natural interest the
size and appearance of our ship, and also the faces
of those who are to be our companions for so many
days. A word first about the ship. We must not
compare her with those great floating ocean hotels
that are steaming down the Mersey abreast of us,
and beside which we feel so small. But as we look

SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 33%

at our comfortable midship saloon, lighted by elec-
tricity, at the spacious saloon deck, the ladies' deck
room, the smoke-room, the lavatories and the general
good proportions of the vessel, we recall the far
inferior ships of these two lines that we travelled by
in 1883; and we are glad to be told that ships of
this class are rapidly replacing the old ones, and thus
introducing far more comfort and convenience into
the voyage to the West African Coast.. The two
companies are the ' African ' and 'British and African."
Their rates are £18, tos. for the passage to Sierra
Leone, and £15 for a return ticket to the islands.
There are few who have not been kindly aided by
these lines in Sierra Leone and various isolated
coast ports, by gifts of ice and other comforts in
times of sickness, and their weekly mail bas is a
most helpful aid in enduring a difficult climate.

Shall we here confess to a shrewd suspicion, that
we are somewhat indebted for these improvements to
Madeira and the Canaries, and the growing passenger
traffic with those islands? May be, we consider that
the needs of those who travel farthest were too long
neglected, and yet were most worth considering, from a |
financial point of view. - But let that pass. - Whatever
may have been the influences at work, the results are
most satisfactory, and we must remember to set those
results against the 'doubling up' process that goes
on when we have to take up island passengers on the
way home!

334 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

At the present rate, we shall not be surprised to see
a well-known newspaper heading introduced ere long
into the sailing advertisements of West African mail
steamers (at any, rate in the dry season, which
corresponds with the English winter)-' Sea Voyages
(fer Hralths Sake !"

The best place for most people for two or three
days, while the Irish Channel and the Bay of Biscay
are being passed, is the berth or bunk, and we scarcely
know or care who is on board, until, by Tuesday
morning, we come on deck in genial sunshine, and are
told that we have skirted the borders of the Bay (for
we do not pass through it); and are running along
within about two days of Madeira. No one who has
not left England in the midst of November fog and
gloom can realise what it is to arrive in Madeira,
and see under a lovely still bine sky camelias
azaleas, geraniums, and roses in full and luxuriant
bloom. Madeira is always a popular stopping place
for the traveller to and from the coast. It has been a
very kind and restful place to us. Since 1887, the
Episcopal superintendence of Church of England
congregations in this island, the Canaries, Azores, and
part of Morocco has been committed, as an honorary
work, to the writer. It has brought him into contact
with the English residents in a very pleasant manner,
and the visit, every two years or so, is a pleasant
recreation from West African work. The chaplaincy
in Madeira is maintained by the residents (assisted by

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 335

visitors) in a very worthy manner, and as there is
no endowment, it would be evidently very helpful
towards permanency, if those who so constantly bene-
fit by the wonderful climate, and are helped by the
ministrations of the chaplain, would see that a chap-
laincy-house is acquired for his use. Very kind and
practical sympathy is shown by the Church of Eng-
land in Madeira, with the greater needs of the Church
in Sierra Leone. As we steam away from the Bay of
Funchal, after a day spent on shore, the ship wears a
distinctly more cheerful aspect! The saloon has
every available vase filled with flowers, the deck is
dotted everywhere with those light and pretty wicker-
work sofas, tables and chairs of every shape, for which
Madeira is so deservedly famous, and the dessert is
varied by, perhaps, strawberries, grapes, bananas, and
figs. The furniture is most popular with residents on
the West Coast, and is always in great demand.
Twenty-four to thirty hours easily bring us, steering
south to the Island of Teneriffe, and we anchor at
Santa Cruz, the capital city of the Canary group.
There is no time for anything like a journey to the
Peak, or to Orotava, for the ship will sail in six or
eight hours, but a drive can be had to Laguna, some
2000 feet above the sea. We have seen an excellent
work built up since 1887 in Orotava, on the north side
of this island. The Rev. Adolphus Lindon of Madeira,
who is honorary chaplain to the bishop for these
islands, has thrown himself 'very heartily into the

330 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

work, and it is hoped that the whole group may
presently become a sort of archdeaconry. The
visitor at Orotava will now find a beautiful church,
adorned with many loving and valuable memorials, a
comfortable parsonage by its side, a resident chaplain,
and a growing English community. The road from
Santa Cruz to this place is magnificent, and the drive
takes about four or five hours. Santa Cruz is not as
yet much more than a point of arrival and departure
for the English. But its situation has certain advan-
tages which Orotava has not, and a small plot of
ground has already been bought for a possible church
in the near future. A chaplain is usually resident here
for the winter months. With this brief information
we must pass on.

Five hours steaming bring us to Las Palmas,
the chief city, of the island of Grand Canary. We
have seen its commercial importance as a coaling
station, and as a place of export for bananas, etc.,
for the English markets, vastly increased. The
greater wisdom of the Spanish authorities in the
matter of customs has no doubt given these islands
a considerable advantage over Madeira of late years.
The number of ships always coaling, the breakwater,
which has not even yet reached its full limit, the steam
tramway from the port to the city, the increasing
hotel accommodation-all go to indicate that Grand
Canary is daily growing in importance. The church
is here also abreast of the times Moly Trinity was

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 337

completed and opened for divine worship on Easter
Day in 1893, and the British residents, with very
little assistance, thus far, from visitors, maintain a
resident chaplain.. Here also, the roads up into
the mountains and along by the sea are excellent;.
and, if the drivers were not so hard on their horses,
we would say that the driving is very pleasant. We
regret to have to record one recent introduction into
this island, and also that of Teneriffe, which will
certainly not elevate the inhabitants. We have lately
seen two bull-rings erected, one in Las Palmas, and
the other in Santa Cruz, which we regard as a bad
sign and a deteriorating influence. And now, as the
passengers for the island leave us, we begin to realise
that our destination is the West Coast of Africa. Ten
years ago, on the day we left the islands, we cut
ourselves off from telegraphic communication with
the rest of the world. Not so now. And, although it
continues to be a very expensive luxury, we have
felt distinctly less 'out of it' since that wonderful wire
tied us to the heart of things. Now begins (shall we
be believed?) the best and brightest part of the
voyage, of which the unfortunates who had to land
at Madeira and the Canaries as yet know nothing.
For five days and a half we steam steadily south.
When the north-east trades blow freshly, as they:
mostly do, the increasing heat of the sun is most
delightfully tempered nearly all the way. And, with
a brilliant moon at night, life on deck, day and night,
Y

338 SOME PERSONAL 'MEMORANDA

becomes a real enjoyment. We do admit that the nights
in the cabin from the time Cape Verde is passed be-
come rather overpowering. The sea voyage usually
does so much for those who have been enervated by
the West African climate, that, on arrival in England,
the improved looks (caused mainly no doubt by the
sun and air) often excite considerable surprise.

Passing by Goree and Dakar, which are the ports
for these mail steamers, in alternate weeks, which call
at the Gambia Colony, we anchor, at the end of the
fifth day from Grand Canary, at the Isles de Los.
These islands, very healthily situated, are a part of
the Colony. of Sterra Leone; but it is the French
trade at Conakry -the one of the group which is
not English-that draws our steamers thither. After
discharging cargo all day to the most unmusical tune
of the steam winch, we weigh anchor, and go 'slow
ahead ( so as to. reach Free Town, Sierra Leone, by
daylight on the following morning. A previous
chapter has described the very beautiful appearance
of this colony as it is approached from the sea.

Whew we first arrived-in: March 1883-we were
put into a boat at Cape Sierra Leone, from a Hamburg
rum, gin and gunpowder ship-the Sexega/-as she
was not calling at Free Town. Entirely unexpected,
we landed at the Government wharf, and asked for a
hotel. : iA year or twoslater;: we: should have asked in
vain ; but at that {ime there was one kept, we believe,
by a Frenchman. It was called the West Africa Hotel,

viuumg 'avg

 

 

 

 

SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 330

and such very imperfect accommodation as it afforded
we made immediate use of. A fair beginning has now
been attempted by African enterprise; but a good,
well-placed, well-kept hotel is still much to be desired ;
and if the 'sea voyages for health's sake' are to come
off, such a convenience must be soon provided.

We had not been seated at our  brealstast five
minutes before Captain Jackson, private secretary to
Governor (now Sir Arthur) Havelock, appeared, with
a most kindly invitation from Government House,
and he added, that chairs would be immediately in
attendance, and that the Governor breakfasted at
ten o'clock. This put an entirely new complexion
on affairs, and it can be imagined what a relief it
was-a relief whose memory will ever be with us-to
be transferred from the bareness of that hotel, which
encouraged in us a natural feeling of strangeness and
isolation, to the refinement and brightness with which
the Havelocks had surrounded themselves.

Conversations on shipboard do not always tend to
brighten anticipation of Western Africa. Old coasters
are sometimes tempted to draw the long bow ; but,
indeed, it is clear, from what has. been stated in
previous chapters, that naked facts have usually been
black enough. At the saloon table, for instance, you
hear, as we have once heard, a conversation like this:
©Do you remember Brown, who came out two voyages
ago?' Answer-' Yes.! 'Ah, well! he's dead, poor
fellow, and his wife returned to England, and died

340 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

as the ship went in to Liverpool.' Presently someone
asks about Jones,. 'Ah, poor fellow, he had a terrible
fever, and got frightened, and went home; and they
say he will never have his health again' Next day,
someone will venture to ask about Robinson. 'Oh !
didn't you know? He went out in this very ship,
and only lived six months' And so on. Sometimes,
alas! this kind of conversation has so worked upon
the minds of young men going out for the first time,
that a nervousness is developed which is the first step
to another breakdown! We certainly expected to
have this African fever as soon as we landed! Facts,
certainly, should not be concealed; but there does
seem to be room for more kindly consideration in
this matter, and we hope old coasters will come to
regard their longer experience as a talent in trust
for the benefit of their fellow -sufferers, and they
ought, in all fauness, not to nesleet to state that
there are many ' saving clauses.'

To give another instance. A very excellent sermon
was preached by a venerable clergyman at the consecra-
tion of the writer as bishop, in the Chapel Royal, White-
hall. But such is the utterly bad name which every
geography continues to give this colony, that, when the
preacher spoke very solemnly of the heroism that had
been manifested, and would still be required on the part
of those who go to Sierra Leone, and proceeded to men-
tion the number of deaths there had been in that climate
during a given number of years, it is not surprising that

SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 341

an old Oxford friend should go out of the chapel, say-
ing, ' Ah, well, we have seen the last of Ingham !'

We have been told, and we vouch for the correct-
ness of the story, that a young fellow, still in the
mission field, was, in due course, called upon to
attend on his committee and be informed as to his
destination as a missionary. It was not his wish
to be sent to West Africa, but he accepted the de-
cision of the committee as God's call and will. On
his way home he met a clergyman, who must have
had much to do with arranging men's spheres of
work. He came up quite cheerfully, rubbing his
hands and saying,-' Well, Mr So-and-so, and to
what part of the world are you being sent?' The
reply was, -'To West Africa' Instantaneously
changing his tone, and looking very solemn, with a
deep-drawn sigh, he said, -' God help you, dear
fellow. May you have your health. I hope you
will get on, /u/ it is a difficult climate: Now. all
this is perfectly true, but why not send that young
man on his way with a bright and cheerful view of
the situation, even if it is a Bad one! - 'That mission.
ary will never forget that deep-drawn sigh, but Africa
has not killed him yet --D.G.

The following is an illustration of the proverb about
{giving a dog a bad name.' On one occasion, some
years ago, the writer was travelling on the North.
Western Railway. His small box, with the words
© Bishop of Sierra Leone' painted on the top was visible

342 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

slightly from underneath the seat. An elderly lady in
the same carriage, catching sight of the title, was quite
seriously affected, and she could not help saying as she
left the train, ' Ab, that's a bad place, I an: sorry for you.'
It set one thinking, that, had the title been Bishop of
Bathurst, or Lagos, or Acera, none of which places
have the natural advantages of Sierra Leone, no sym-
pathy would have been forthcoming from this good
lady. In the light of this incident, the reader will
comprehend the suggestion made by the writer at
one of the social gatherings in Sierra Leone in the
jubilee and centenary year. - What a sood thing it
would be to request Her Majesty to mark the occa-
sion by changing the name of this colony.' It is, we
hope, unnecessary to state that this was not a serious
proposal. Every chapter of this book goes to show
the moral loss there would be in such a change. But
the rejoinders that the remark called forth may be
worth quoting. Said an officer,-' I'm afraid that might
come in time to affect the leave system. Said a
merchant,-' And it might bring #s more competi-
tion.. There is obviously much in a name.

To return from our digression. We can only desire
for others, who come to this coast for the first time,
such a kindly reception as we had at Government
House, Sierma Leone, and such hospitality as was ac-
corded us by Sir Arthur and Lady Havelock. To some
extent, each one can do a little towards letting the new-
comer down gently, and first impressions are lasting.

SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 343

Governor Havelock was not very long in Sierra
Leone. A West Indian, and then a South African
governorship soon led to that of Ceylon, but while he
was with us, his high tone and example as a Christian
and a Churchman were a great power, and produced
a marked impression on the people.

We remember a remark he made, when once dis-
tributing the prizes at the C.M.S. Grammar School.
He pub his finger upon a weak point in all ont
African schools-the development of the memory
rather at the expense of such studies as tend to
strengthen and guide the reasoning faculties. This
witness is true. _ Everything is much too mechanical,
and education is often thought complete, when no
love of reading, for its own sake, has been engendered,
and little power of sustained thinking, This matter
after nearly ten years still needs more attention. Sir
Arthur could never understand why missftonaty
bodies did not practise more concentration, but
seemed to prefer starved missions in many isolated
districts to strong centres within a small area. The
answer would, no doubt, be, that missionary bodies
endeavour to follow in the wake of God's providence ; _
but it istimpossible not to regret that, with Sierra
Leone as such an excellent base, extension, on a
large scale, from that base, was not the policy
adopted many years ago. Arguing from what has
occurred in Uganda, we are sure that the French
would never have had a chance of circumventing us,

344 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

had English missionaries been quietly working a
couple of hundred miles in the immediate back
ground of Sierra Leone for the last half. century.
Whis is said, not from a political standpoint, but
because we find, to our sorrow, that in those missions
which the writer superintends in French territory
(the Rio Pongo*), we are now forbidden to keep any
school open whose teaching is not in the French
language, and conducted in the French ' esprig'

We are plainly told that English educationalists
are usually a hostile influence to French plans, which
have for their object the bringing of the African
tribes into the citizenship of the French Republic.

The epidemic of 1884 was our first serious trouble.
Our excellent colonial chaplain, Mr Sparks, who had
only been out nine months, died of a malignant kind
of fever at Bishop's Court, and several Europeans in
our small community of whites, and also a number
of Atlricans; died at this time. .It was a sad and
depressing beginning, and brought to mind all the
dismal prophecies of friends a year before. We be-
lieve, however, Governor Havelock stated that enough
abominations were afterwards discovered to exist
in the heart and centre of Free Fown, to account

* The Rio Pongo Mission is a most interesting and important effort
on the part of the West Indian Churches, whose membership is so
largely African, to do its duty to Africa. The effort is now subsidised
in England, and it is to be hoped that this mission will draw many
Africans of moral and spiritual stature back from the West Indies to their
fatherland.

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 345

for a worse epidemic still. As an illustration of the
utter neglect of sanitation, it may be mentioned that
the writer has, several times since that epidemic,
had occasion to officiate in the old Free Town
cemetery, on the south side of Tower Mill Barracks,
It has now, happily, been closed. But on the occa-
sions alluded to, the recently turned-up soil was
so horribly offensive, that it was most; dificult
to read, the service. It was not reassuring to dis.
cover that this was owing to the fact, that compara-
tively recent graves were being constantly dug up,
new ground in that cemetery being only ground not
buried in for half-a-dozen years and less! Yet
hither; custom; and every right and sympathetic
feeling, would bring crowds on the occasion of every
funeral, and it is a marvel that even more sickness
did not result. The colonial surgeon (Dr Ross) has
done much, during his term of office, to secure some
improvement in these and kindred matters, and he
appears to be of opinion, that most of the deaths of
Europeans (and there have not been many) since
he came, some seven years ago, have been owing
to causes quite unconnected with the climate.

As an illustration of the difficulties under which
Government is carried on, it may be mentioned
that, in ten years, we can count no less than twelve
governors or acting governors of Sierra Leone, and
that some of the acting men have administered
two or three times! (This will show at a slance

346 sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

how difficult it must be to ensure that continuity
in the working out of any given policy, upon which
its success must so largely depend.

Governor Hennessy was before our time. He will
always be remembered as the governor who re-
mitted the house and land tax, and a day, the 22d
August, is still, by a considerable section of the com-
munity, kept in his honour. . Another governor is
now re-introducing taxation in, we believe, a less
objectionable form, and it is associated with the
reconstitution of Free Town as a municipal city,* and
an African mayor, we hope, will soon be dispensing
hospitalities, and, what is more to the point, leading
the way in some urgently needed improvements.

Among the brightest incidents during our term of
service thus far, may be mentioned the combined
celebration of the Queen's Jubilee, and the centenary
of the colony in 1587, to which allusion has been
made in the introductory chapter,. An important
feature in that celebration, and most appropriate to
the occasion, was the opening by his Excellency Sir
James Hay, on Jubilee Day, of the new Wilberforce
Memorial Hall. This building has been crected. we
understand, out of the balance left over from the
Wilberforce monument in Westminster Abbey, sup-
plemented by a few hundreds raised in Sierra Leone.
As this is the only public meeting-place in the colony
that is not a chureh or a school room, the hall is used

* See Chapter x1

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 347

for every kind of purpose, from a ball to a prayer
meeting. The other rooms are useful as library, read-
ing, and committee rooms. As there is no sustenta-
tion fund, we look to the colony to make the constant
care of this conspicuous and useful building a labour
of honour, of gratitude, and of love. This deteriorating
climate has made some attention already necessary.
While on the subject of memorials, it will not be
deemed too egotistical if we refer to a church
memorial erected in St George's Cathedral in 1892.
It iis the first of the kind in the colony, and has
taken the form of a really beautiful stained glass
* under which a handsome brass-plate
has the following interesting and eloquent inscription :

east window,

THE FOUR CENTRAL LIGHTS OF THIS WINDOW ARE ERECTED
IN THANKFUL MEMORY OF THE FIRST THREE BISHOPS OF SIERRA
LEONE,
3ISHOPS VIDAL, WEEKS, AND BoOwEN, 1852-1859,
AND OF
Tnx First BisHOP OF THE NIGER, SAMUEL ADjA1 CROWTHER,
1864-1891.
AND OF
THE PIONEER Work (since 1804) or pEvoTED C. M.S. Miss1ONARIES,
A GREAT NUMBER OF WHOM DIED IN THIS COLONY.
* They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.'
RE&v, xiv. 13.
IY THE UNITED EFFORTS OF MEMBERS OF THIS CONGREGATION
AND OTHERS.
E. G. INGHAM, D.D., Bishop.

J. TAYLOR SMITH and SAMUEL SPAIN, Cartons.
N. E. BrownE, Pr araens
N. J. SPAIN, (a?
E. W. CoL®, Cathedral Clerk.
Dedicated St Barnabas' Day, 1892.

 

* From the studio of Messrs Suffling & Co., Edgware Road, W.

348 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

The other four compartments in the window were
given by private persons. - Sir James Hay, for in-
stance, has a brass-plate under one, given as a thank
offering for God's mercies to him in Western Africa.

We should like, amongst our reminiscences, to
encourage woman's work in Sierra Leone, by record-
ing that, in the- same year (1893), Mrs: Ingham
(wife of the writer, who is throughout an essential
part of the frequently-recurring 'we') was able, by
the kind and liberal help of many friends, to com-
plete the Cottage Hospital, to which allusion has
been made in our brief preface. It should be men-
tioned, that this and several other diocesan works
were started in the Bishop's Court working party of
African ladies, who have been very steady in their
co-operation in all good works.

In order to encourage African women of the
educated classes to come forward to be trained as
nurses, MRA Princess Christian has graclonsly
given her name to this building, and she has been
pleased to say, that it is a great gratification to her to
be thus associated with such a work on the African
coast. We have been taught by experience to dread
new undertakings in Sierra Leone, where so many
have had a premature end, but we would hope that
this medical mission will become not only a valuable
auxiliary in missionary work, but tend to relieve also
some of the disabilities of the climate. * NoPlesse
oblige' will also be something of a motive, now

SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 349

that so gracious a name has been given to the
institution.

These reminiscences would not be complete with-
out some allusion to African Howug/t, which is now
quite capable of expressing itself, and is making itself
felt in several quarters.

A book was lately written by an African, occupy-
ing an important position on the West Coast, in which
he points out what he believes to be the malformation
and shortcomings of his people, and he advocates
what is called miscegenation as the remedy for these
so-called defects. We scarcely remember ever. to
have read a more unwise or painful set of arguments ;
and we are glad to believe that the great body of
educated Africans are not with him in his theories.
We would give far different counsel to those who
may be disposed to listen to our advice With
Lawyer Lewis (a distinguished African of Sierra
Leone), in his centenary oration, we cordially agree,
- that all newer and weaker races have risen by imita-
tion ; but he would agree with us that it must not be
slavish imitation, and certainly not the obliteration
of distinctions that God, in His providence, would
seem, to have ordained. It is high time for the
Africans, who number amongst themselves quite
as many good-looking people as other races, to
oppose any miserable and misguided tendency to
apologise for their colour. What is there wrong
about it? So far from there being any need for

330 sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

apology, it is more than time for a greater conser-
vatism to obtain in their appropriation of English
ways and habits Some of these ways are by no
means to be recommended, even to English people,
while others are hopelessly unsuited to Africa and her
people We are confident that a truer view of the
situation will be created as true education spreads,
and that our repatriated fellow-citizens will have
more and more reason to thank God that they are
mot in a false position, as so many of their race in
America, and even in the West Indies, seem to be;
but that they are in their own land, with absolutely
nothing to hinder their working out their true destiny
and development. - The dangerous feature of the book
referred to (if any are so weak as to be influenced by
it) is this, that honourable marriages of Africans with
Africans would be discouraged, and illicit miscegena-
tlon with other races be in vogue. But we have too
much confidence in the common sense of the race
to have any real fear of such a dreadful mistake
being made.

We remember holding a conversation a few years
ago with an Atrican thinker of repute in Sierra Leone ;
and there was a point that came under discussion
that may well claim a place in this chapter.

This gentleman affirmed that the Christian churches
are living in a fool's paradise, if they think to raise
Africa at once to the Christian standard of morality ;
that organised hypocrisy will be the certain result of

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 3591

enforcing that standard, and that licensed polygamy
would undoubtedly be replaced by secret concubinage.
He said that some writer had brought out a book,
in which he marked off certain zones within which
monogamy will not live, and that the greater part
of Africa was within that zone. He pleaded for a
period of preparation for Christianity to be granted
to the race, such as the Jewish system afforded to
the emancipated Israelites He thought that either
Mohammedanism must be that intermediate step, or
that the Church should lower her standard slightly,
so as to stoop the better to liff them np! We
asked him whether he 'would expect us to confuse the
standards of Christendom in order to do the African
race this alleged service? And he said he thought we
should! The only answer that it was possible to
give, and that, most sorrowfully, we did give, was this :
The Church of Christ is not likely to lower its flag on
the subject of this aspect of morality for the first time
at the close of the nineteenth century. We are not
commanded to propagate the faith at any price.
Loyalty to Christ, and the purity of our religion, are
far more dear to us than even world-wide evangelisa-
tion on " down grade" principles.'

But here again we decline to regard this gentleman
as representing true African thought; and yet, un-
fortuniely, while as yet no writer has appeared on
the other side, these views are spreading, and it is
poss:ole they may be extending more widely than

352 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

the writer knows. For instance, another African
gentleman of position has been to London, has
attended the Foundling Chapel service, has seen the
irregularities of London streets, and is led to regard
these deformities as resw/ts of English Christianity.
He would regard this state of things as indicating
that, what he calls the English fashion of marriage is
a failure, and ke would plead for this aspect of the moral
question to be excluded from our teaching in Africa !
We must not be impatient at the obvious want of
reason in these conclusions Such pleadings must
not be roughly handled. They must be met. These
good people, who, in their imperfect acquaintance
with European ways, as yet 'see men as trees walking,"
must be patiently dealt with. They must be reasoned
with, and told that these evils which they have noticed
are the natural revolt against the higher standard,
which nevertheless generally obtains. The explana-
tion of that revolt is human nature. They must be
shown a few English, German, American Zomes. They
must be made to see for themselves the marvellous
sanctity and purity of those homes, from the home
of our gracious Sovereign to that of the peasant who
has the fear of God in Imis heart. . They must be
pointed to the fact that monogamic nations are the
foremost nations on this earth. They must be shown
that Christian public opinion, so far from sanction
ing the evils referred to, has crected barriets against
them, has provided refuges for the fallen and sinned

sOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA 353

against, of which the Foundling Hospital is one, and
that the names of efforts to maintain a high Christian
standard, in such a country as England, are legion.
And then, we trust, they will come to see that this is
not an English standard, but Christ's standard for all
who embrace His Gospel, and that this standard will
serve their race better than any such short-sighted com-
promise as they would recommend. It is by Divine
decree that the net contains bad and good, and that
wheat and tares must grow together till the harvest }
and the corrective to be applied is, not the compromise
of God's good wheat, but patient, sometimes tearful
sowing of more and more of the good seed of the
kingdom, which can grow and develop Godwards,
even in the soil of Africa. The assertion of some
such views as those we have now dealt with is almost
certain to be made in these African churches when
once they become autonomous. May they be able to
stand the test!

It has sometimes occurred to the writer, that there
has been a real danger to the African peoples in the
fact, that for now more than a hundred years their
wrongs have brought them so prominently before the
civilised world. The agitation rendered necessary to
effect the righting of a great wrong has, perhaps in-
sensibly, tended to give a fictitious importance to the
people, and to develop a self-consciousness that is
regrettable. This may or may not be so, but it often
looks like it. If we may say a word to young Afri-

¥

334 SOME PERSONAL MEMORANDA

cans, to whom the heart cannot but go out in warm
sympathy, it shall be this :-

Be very true to your own selves. If, in compari-
son with those with whom you are now being brought
into contact, you honestly.believe you are backward,
then lose no time, yield to no false pride, take a back
seat until you are called to a front one. Far better
do this than live a life of miserable, hollow pretence.
One lie acted upon will need another to cover it, and
your whole life be in danger of becoming one long
falschood.. It is no disgrace to you that you have
had a very late start, that others were more than a
thousand years before you, ay, and even hindered
you, in the march of civilisation. It stands to reason
that some of those advanced races have something
that they can contribute to your progress Some of
them have the grace to desire to render that help.
Do you then have the humility and the grace to be
receptive aud teachable. , Keep in your place.
Retain your individuality. Check any natural ten-
dency to become light-headed by surface acquire-
ments. Be well-ballasted and well-balanced, and
from that level, which you have had grace and com-
mon-sense to find, an ample sphere is open to you
for the exercise of all your faculties in this land and

in this day.

CH
'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE

iT is impossible for the reader to have followed
us through this brief sketch of a century's progress
in Sierra Leone, without being impressed with the
Christian philanthropy which was not only the parent
of this movement, but which has fostered it up to the
present time. We believe it has been demonstrated
in these pages, that the enterprise of 1787 has borne
permanent and unexpected fruit.

Sictra Leone, as a trading centre, may not yet
have realised early expectation ; but as a refuge and
asylum and settlement for the oppressed, and as a
place of permanent strategic importance, it must ever
be prized by the Crown. And whenever it becomes
important to bring, say, the sources of the Niger
nearer to Europe, this colony is the possible base of
a very important railway communication with the
interior, Then the advantages of its position and its
excellent harbour will be fully realised.

In any estimate of general results, the overflow

$55

356 'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER!

from this colony should not be left out of sight.
'The. Sierra Leone Company of 1787 was not only
the parent of the Crown colony of Sierra Leone,
but the Gambia, Gold Coast, and Lagos colonics
of to-day may be shown to be also its logical
results Within the past ten years the Royal Niger
Company and the Niger Coast, Protectorate witness
to still further enterprise in the same direction. We
wish it could always be said (that, the spirit in
which our company did its work animates the
enterprises of to-day. Money, it is to be feared,
is the prime consideration, but a sense of respon-
sibility undoubtedly exists towards the native tribes
in and around the colonics and pretectorates now
in process of formation. | Sierra Leone settlers are
to be found to-day engaged in trade, or filling
some post of responsibility in all these districts.
With too many of them, it has been a premature
emigration, and the usual result of. isolation and
separation from the motives and restraints of a home
pastorate has frequently followed. This testimony
to the memory of his early training, however, the
Sierra Leonean is ever ready to give - that his
earnest efforts, wherever he goes to trade, are
usually directed to the erection of a church for the
supply of the means of grace. Let it not be rashly
taken for granted that this is always designed to
act as a blind to an imperfect morality, but rather
let us assume that, having had some experience of

'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER 357

the helps and restraints of a church, he would fain
have one within his reach.

And what shall we say of commercial results
during the century? - Verily, that nothing short of a
gigantic revolution has been taking place! Instead
of its life-blood, the country has been long giving
us its palm oil in such quantities, that English,
French, and German steamers are every few days
calling at Sierra Leone, outward bound, with full
cargoes of European goods to exchange for it; and
returning home by this colony again, loaded up to
the very deck for the English and Continental
markets. Rubber, ground nuts, African woods, skins,
ivory, coffee in smaller quantities, are, and will be, in-
creasingly exported. Sierra Leone will ere long supply
London and Liverpool with its excellently-flavoured
pine apples, But for the rum and gin and gun-
powder, which tend to the gendering of a worse
bondage than of yore, we would emphatically bid
God-speed to the trade that has displaced the traffic
in flesh and blood. If only these colonies can be-
come strong enough in public opinion to protect
themselves against the drink traffic; if only a few
more substantial African merchants can see their
way to refuse to import spirits into their country ;
if only Government will become fully alive to the
importance of saving the native tribes from further
contamination and enfeeblement in this respect, tit is
not even now too late to erect a barrier against these

35§ 'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER!

noxious liquors. Temperance societies are not idle ;
and we have never met an African who sold these
drinks who did not long from his heart for some
other and more satisfactory means of making a living.

It is now time to draw a few conclusions from
our hundred years' study, with particular reference
to the people of the colony whose fortunes we have
been endeavouring to trace.

We say deliberately, and without fear of contra-
diction, 'the game has been worth the candle" We
say it, not only in view of the facts above indicated,
but in view of the security and comfort and happi-
ness that have come thereby to a large and still in-
creasing number of Africans who are daily showing,
as has been pointed out, a practical appreciation of the
Union Jack, and rejoice to sit down under its shadow.

It is difficult to write of the progress of the people
themselves without, on the one hand, encouraging
an undue self-satisfaction, that is apt to be a failing
amongst them, or, on the other hand, giving offence.

(Where is much to be very thankful for. More
progress would have been observable, as has been
already indicated, but for the unsettlement-caused
by the constant immigrations ; and if children and
fools, as they say, should never be allowed to see a
work half finished, let us be careful not to judge too
hastily by what we may at present observe in a
people who are by no means of one original tribe
or language, who are, however, in process of forma-

'THE CONCLUSION GF THE WHOLE MATHER 350

tion into one people, and who are passing through
phases, sometimes unlovely ones, towards a more
final development.

But if this is so (and we think it has been demon-
strated), how far from completed our work must be,
how important that the methods adopted should be
such as to meet the case !

It is a noticeable fact, that, while the Siefta
Leonean has been content to follow the flag, he has
not shown any tendency as yet to settle in the bush,
and bring the land under cultivation. - No doubt the
obvious dangers to life and liberty will partially ac-
count for this ; but his own unreadiness for the bush,
his own ignorance of those arts by which alone he
can handle his country, have also much to do with it.
And here we are brought face to face with a very
great defect in his training. With this we propose
very briefly to deal. It is impossible not to regret
that the C. M. S. were unable to develop in the schools
of this colony some accurate knowledge of manual
trades. The results in aptitude for interior mission-
ary work, in energy, perseverance, and common sense,
would have been enormous. We counsel a return to
their methods of instruction on Leicester mountains
in 1816 (see pp. 213, 213), and we welcome some
recent resolutions of the Society. in this particular
direction.

Experience is daily proving to those who have eyes
to see, that the very peculiar past history of this race

360° ° THE.CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER}

demands special consideration on the part of those
who aspire to educate them. Any failure, for instance,
to realise the irresponsibility of the lot of the slave,
the utter bareness of his surroundings, the licence into
which liberty would tend to degenerate, or the disgust
at manual labour that would naturally characterise
the newly emancipated, would be fatal to the adop-
tion of suitable methods of training.. When the
missionary receives under his care a youth who has
been living under the patriarchal system of domestic
slavery, and whose fathers before him were slaves,
when he puts a cloth on his body, and a book in one
hand, he should, unless he courts failure, put a tool in
the other. This may seem a bold statement, but it
will bear investigation. . The other plan has been
abundantly tried, and what is the result? Not only
does the constant hammering at the brain, of which
this raw youth must now become a victim, produce
an unbalanced development, but: the precocious
inemory that will characterise him, is a deceptive
gauge of progress made, and, like much precocious-
ness elsewhere, the results are disappointing in after
life. - For this reason, a successfully-passed examina-
tion on paper is not the test in Africa that it is in
England. - Many facts, it is true, have been poured
in, many doctrines taught, but all has been theory
and nothing has been reasoned out «Can it be
wondered at if the youth thus educated (P) is up-
lifted with an altogether incorrect impression of his

' THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER! 361

literary fitness for any post under the sun, or that
he looks down on all those arts that depend more
particularly upon the training of the body. as
degrading? Can we be surprised that the very last
thing he thinks of is the development of his country
or making his father's village better than he found
it-and thus his want of accuracy, want of persever-
ance and skill, and. all that goes to make a man
master of any situation, remain uncorrected, and
put him altogether out of the running? We are con-
vinced that there is a more excellent way, and we
regret it has not more generally approved itself
to those who have done such good work in other
respects in this part of Africa. Other bodies, and
notably the Roman Catholics, seem to be far ahead
of us in this respect. - How far they fail in developing
the minds and consciences of the Africans we will
not here discuss; but their systems of technical
training are thoroughly worthy of imitation.* The
Germans also are supposed to be ahead of us ; but
their technical departments that we have seen on
the coast, do not meet our view of the necessities
of the case; and their trading missions are obviously
Beside the mark.

The amendment we would press upon the attention
of our educationalists is simply this: that every

* Sir Francis de Winton, whose knowledge of Africa is so general,
kindly talked this matter over with the writer when in Sierra Leone.

He spoke warmly of the Roman Missions on the south-west coast, and
urged us to have more common sense in our methods.

a

362 ' THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER

clementary or higher grade school should have its
technical department, however small ; that it should
be under a well-trained European Christian mechanic,
who should have some three or four manual trades in
his fingers ; Hat this should be definite Christian work,
that the technical class should be as compulsory, as
much a part of the school curriculum as the Scripture
or the grammar lesson ; that every boy should have
a course of training in carpentering, turning, forging,
etc., quite irrespective of the particular post for which
he is being trained. It is evident that the break thus
created in the monotonous round of daily study must
be a great relief, and tend to quicken apprehension,
and there is abundant room for these classes in the
school régime of each day.*

The very fact that there is so little originality in
the people, and such a tendency to indolence and
want of thrift; the very fact that the country around
Sferra Leone, and even the greater part of the colony
itself, is in just as wild and undeveloped a condition
as when Clarkson landed his Nova Scotian settlers;
these are plain indications that there must be
something defective in a training which has had so
one-sided an effect.

We have rejoiced in the fact that Africans seem so
physically fitted to evangelise Africa, and we have

* It is hoped to start a Diocesan Technical School in the Bishop's
Court grounds this year. An excellent and capable man has offered to
be its first Principal. But £1500 is needed for buildings. ~The curri-
culum that will obtain is sketched above.

HYGUNYHHA Y DNIC | SAog ' 4100HD§ TIVHGIHLY]Y S,@DHOHT) 'L§

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE 363

created native churches: but these churches will
continue to sit down in the midst of the resources of
civilisation, until their members learn how to walk
through their country, and sit down in. it.

It will be asserted that such a department in each
school will create an impossible burden on the church
fund, and undoubtedly technical masters and also
tools cost money, but there is reasom to stppose
that, in our colonies at least, Government would cer-
tainly encourage any dora fide attempt to deal with
this question, and Government is no doubt waiting to
see which of us will have the enterprise to begin.
If we would from earlisst years correct false ideas
about manliness and labour; if we would teach in-
valuable practical lessons of thoroughness, accuracy,
aptitude, and skill; if we would demonstrate the
value of time and talent; if we would furnish to our
boys that occupation and interest, that will tend to
divert them from immoral practices, we shall begin
without further delay to make technical training an
essential factor in every college and school But
where are the teachers to be found? The answer to
this question may not please some aspirants to what
is technically called 'the ministry. - But a short word
is wanted on this subject, and it must be spoken.
It must be obvious to any who have had to do with
church work, that there is a supposed respectability
about the clerical collar or white tie that acts as a
fascination to young men, who, through no fault of

304 ' THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER}

their own, have not had the requisite advantages of
culture for the kind of ministry that is thus repre-
sented." It is no doubt to some extent the fault of
the Church, that she has not emphasised the calling
of the Christian mechanic as a ministry of great im-
portance in itself. - Anyone who knows Equatorial
Africa will advocate such a ministry there. And we
earnestly plead, not only that young men be specially
trained in this direction, but also that, when a young
fellow of the calling of Alexander Mackay of
Uganda, volunteers for missionary work, he be
exhorted, in the calling wherein he is called, therein
to abide with God ; and we venture to assert that,
with God's blessing, he will be able to do a grand work
for God, both by example and by precept, in this back-
ward land. Africa will always need men of theo-
logical standing, of linguistic powers, and she must
have her preachers and her students, but the rank
and file of her missionaries need to be men some-
what of the type we have spoken of, full of the Holy
Ghost; and of faith, set apart indeed for a most
important diaconate, but not 'ordained ' in the sense
that is generally understood by the term. And when
the masses of England generally awake to their great
duty in the matter of the evangelisation of the
world, Jet us hope that many. will be allowed;
through our missionary societies, to introduce into
Atrica the gospel of the carpenters shop. The
need is greater, the helplessness of the people more

' THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATHER 363

painful, than it has been at all possible to picture.
We venture to predict, from remarks of chiefs that
we ourselves have heard, that no mission schools
are likely to be patronised by them for their sons,
unless the training is such as to keep them in
touch with their own country, and immediate
surroundings, and there are signs here and there
that the demand will, ere long, ensure the supply,
and Africans be less at a discount in the general
scramble that is going on for their country.
Undoubtedly, the enforced adoption of the English
language. by all who have. settled in this colony,
is also a very great reason why there has been so
little progress made in the spread of its influence
towards the interior. Unusually distracting circum-
stances in connection with adminstration have hin-
dered the writer from setting the example, and one
of his chief regrets is, that he did not immediately
on arrival set to work to master, at least one of
the neighbouring languages.* The knowledge of the
people, and the influence thus acquired, are incon-
ceivable, and it will be difficult to have any patience
with the aspiration of Africans for the acquisitiofi of
dead languages, until they have taken the. trouble to
master such an invaluable living classic as English,
and also acquired, as they can so easily do, one of the
languages spoken by tribes bordering on the colony,

* A beginning was made with 'Temne' last year, however, and
the study has been very interesting. &

366 'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER '

whose representatives are sure to be seen any day by
the score in the Free Town streets.

An African pastorate will always be the very best
possible sequel to a successfully-worked missionary
district, and there only needs to be a good succession
of such as some of those who already are worthily
occupying important positions, for this to be realised.
But it is very clear that the English brother is
urgently needed for co-operation in evangelisation,
and also in education, theological, intellectual and
technical. It would seem, moreover, that the African
churches would be wise, until society is more formed,
and unity and community more realised, not unduly
to hasten the moment for actual self-government in
spiritual matters; and even when they do, to seek for
leaders who will not be amenable to local influences
and relationships, nor in any way embarrassed by
previous local association. A painful and not un-
natural sensitiveness as to capacity has undoubtedly
had much to do with demands for independence that
have been made from time to time. Not want of
capacity, but sad and debilitating past circumstances,
over which these people have had no control, should
lead those who know them fairly well to discourage
any undue haste in the full development of churches
that are becoming each year, under a co-operative
principle, more established in the affection and the
confidence of the people.

The Nova Scotians, we have seen, could never

"THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER' 367

believe that Governor Clarkson was, ever going to
give them their lots of land, and truly the delays
were as trying as they were unforeseen. But every
pledge was in good time most faithfully performed.
To-day there are a few who profess similar doubts
as to the ultimate destination of church property held
in trust by the C. M.S. But we can point now to an
unbroken apostolic succession of devoted and heroic
words and works spreading over more than a hundred
years. Not by a hair's-breadth has the purpose to
brighten the lot of the African by the Gospel, and
by civilisation, been diverted by any circumstances
whatever since Granville Sharp's bright thought in
1787.) And if such progress; as has here: been
chronicled has been realised during a period when
the African has been very mucit like the clay in the
hands of the potter, as to his helplessness, what may
not be hoped for now when co-operation between the
races is a realised possibility ? Is it also a probability ?
We trust that a study, such as these pages invite, will
demonstrate its duty and its necessity. But we fear
that circumstances will be always arising to hinder
and=to check it; circumstances arising from race
feeling, and kept alive by the mutual fault of both
races, unless a more powerful motive intervene.
Those motives are to be found in a Common Chris-
iianity, in one faith, one hope, one love. And we
are convinced that peculiarities of race or colour are
powerless to work anything but good, are powerless to

368 'THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER

hinder truest fellowship in the presence of a united
faith in the Son of God, who is also Sox of Mar-in
the presence of the great hope God's word inspires,
and where His own Spirit of Love has possessed
those ' who profess and call themselves Christians.'

It has been with an intense desire to register
progress made, to account for some inadequate
results, and to indicate possible paths of truer
evolution, that the writer has ventured to describe
Sierra Leone and its circumstances, and its people
as he sees them to-day after a Aundred years.

% 1“?ka
po

      

  

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