a large country on the west coast of Africa, which some extend from the Grain Coast on the south-east to Cape Verga or Vega on the north-west, i.e. between 7° and 15° N. Lat. Others, however, confine the country between Cape Verga and Cape Tagrin. There runs through it a great river of the same name, of which the source is unknown but the mouth is in longitude 12. 30. west, lat. 8. 5. north, and is nine miles wide. The climate and soil of this tract of country appear to be, on both sides of the river, among the best in Africa, or at least the most favourable to European constitutions. The heat is much the same as that of the West Indies; but on the higher grounds there is a cool sea breeze, and in the mountainous parts the air is very temperate. According to Lieutenant Matthew, "Sierra Leona, if properly cleared and cultivated, would be equal in salubrity and superior in produce to any of the islands in the West Indies;" and others have affirmed, that "the air is better for a man's health than in many places of Europe." These advantages of climate induced the English to establish a factory at Sierra Leona; but they chose not the most healthy situation. For the benefit of a spring of good water they fixed their residence in a low valley, which is often overspread with mists and noisome vapours, while the air air is clear and serene on the summits of the hills, to which water from the well might easily be carried.

Within the district occupied by this colony are the Foulahs, who are in general of a tawney complexion, though many of them are entirely black. They lead a wandering life, and roam about the country with large droves of cows, sheep, goats, and horses. They are much praised by travellers for their hospitality; nor is their humanity in other respects, less commendable; for, if one of their countrymen have the misfortune to fall into slavery, the rest join stock to redeem him. Elephants are so numerous in the country of the Foulahs, that they are frequently seen in droves of 200 together. The people are very dexterous at hunting them, and other wild beasts; from which they derive their principal articles of trade.

The animal productions of Sierra Leona are lions, from which it has its name; leopards, hyenas, musk cats, and many kinds of weasels; the japeanee or chimpanzee, a species of simia, which has a still more striking resemblance to the human figure than even the ouran outang; porcupines, wild hogs, squirrels, and antelopes. Besides these, which are natives of the country, oxen thrive in it, and even grow fat; asses too are employed in labour, and do not suffer by the climate; but sheep suffer much from the heat, change their wool into hair, grow lean and increase very little; while the hardy goat is here as prolific and large as in any other country. Of the birds which frequent the woods of Sierra Leona we can give no perfect account. A species of crane is mentioned as easily tamed; common poultry multiply fast; ducks thrive well, but geese and turkeys seem not to agree with the climate. Turtles of all kinds are very common, and sometimes of a large size. Crocodiles or alligators of a non-descript species have been found ten or twelve feet in length, and lizards of six different species. Snakes, which are almost innumerable, haunt the houses in the night in search of poultry; and one was observed which measured 18 feet, but was happily found not to be venomous. Fishes are in great variety both in the sea and in the rivers. Besides the whale, the shark, stingray, and porpoise, there are eels, horse-mackerel, tarpon, cavillos, mullets, snappers, yellow-tails, old-maid, ten-pounders, and some other fishes; all of which, except the eels and ten-pounders, are esteemed fine eating. Oysters are found in great abundance, and another shellfish, which the natives eat. Among the zoophytes, none is more worthy of notice than the common sponge, which covers all the sandy beaches of the river, particularly on the Bullom shore, and would fetch a high price in Great Britain.

Of the numerous vegetable productions of Sierra Leona, our limits will permit us only to mention the following. Rice, which is the plant chiefly cultivated, as the natives subsist almost entirely upon it, grows both in the high and low grounds. It prospers indeed best in swamps, though the grain is better in a drier soil. Next to rice the cassada constitutes the chief food of the inhabitants, and is cultivated with great care. The country likewise produces yams, various kinds of potatoes, eddoes, or the arum esculentum. Oil-palm, plantains, and bananas; papaw, guava, oranges and limes; pompons, melons, and cucumbers; pine-apples, pigeon-peas, which dressed like English peas are a good pulse; maize or Indian corn; millet, cocoa-nut trees; cekra; Sierra, the tallow-tree; a great variety of tamarinds; different kinds of fig-trees and plums; a kind of fruit resembling grapes, but more acid and acrid; cherries resembling a fine nectarine in taste; a species of the bread fruit-tree; the cream fruit, so called because when wounded it yields a fine white juice resembling sugar or the best milk, of which the natives are very fond; the malagueta pepper, or grains of paradise; a new species of nutmeg, but whether so good as the common sort has not yet been ascertained; a new species of the Peruvian bark, which it is hoped will prove as useful as the other; and cola, a fruit highly esteemed by the natives for the same virtues with that bark; the ricinos, cassia, dye-stuffs, and gums, of great value; cotton, tobacco, and sugar-canes, which, it is thought, would thrive exceedingly well under proper cultivation.

Considering the ardour of the maritime nations of Europe for settling colonies in distant regions of the globe, it is somewhat surprising that a climate so temperate and a soil so productive as that of Sierra Leona did not long ago attract their notice. But it was left to be colonized for a better purpose than that which first drew the natives of Europe to the West Indies and the American continent. Being thinly inhabited, Sierra Leona appeared to some benevolent gentlemen in England a place where, without incommoding the natives, a sufficient quantity of ground might be bought on which to settle a great number of free negroes, who in 1786 swarmed in London in idleness and want. About 400 of these wretches, together with 60 whites, mostly women of bad character and in ill health, were accordingly sent out, at the charge of government, to Sierra Leona. Necessity, it was hoped, would make them industrious and orderly; and Captain Thomson of the navy, who conducted them, obtained, for their use, a grant of land to his majesty from King Tom, the neighbouring chief, and afterwards from Naimbana, the king of the country. The colony, however, soon went to ruin; but the land which they occupied, being about 20 miles square, his majesty was enabled to grant by act of parliament to another colony founded on better principles and for a still nobler purpose.

The most intelligent members of that society, which laboured so strenuously to procure an abolition of the slave-trade, justly concluded that the natives of Guinea would reap very little benefit from the attainment of their object, unless they should be taught the principles of religion and the arts of civil life, which alone can render them really free, conceived the plan of a colony at Sierra Leona to be settled for the truly generous purpose of civilizing the Africans, by maintaining with them a friendly intercourse, and a commerce in every thing but men. This plan could not be carried into effect but at a very great expense. Subscriptions were therefore opened upon rational and equitable terms, and a sum deemed sufficient was speedily raised. An act of parliament was passed in favour of the subscribers, by which they were incorporated by the denomination of the Sierra Leona Company; and in pursuance of that act they held their first meeting at London in October 1791.

The directors having stated the natural advantages of Sierra Leona, and its present miserable condition, observed, that they had not merely to establish a commercial mercial factory, but that, to introduce civilization, cultivation, and a safe trade, the company must provide for the security of the persons and property of the colonists. The directors therefore resolved, that three or four vessels should sail at once, with such a number of people as would be able to protect and assist each other; with goods both for trade and for the supply of the colony. Accordingly several vessels sailed, having on board a council for the government of the colony and the management of the company's affairs; a number of artificers and other servants of the company; some soldiers, and a very few English settlers. The directors were laudably cautious in the choice of colonists. They admitted into the society no white man of bad character, or who was not a declared enemy to the slave-trade; and as the chief object of their enterprise was the civilization of the natives, it was with great propriety that they chose more than three-fourths of their settlers from the free negroes in Nova Scotia, who had borne arms for the British government during the American war. The superintendent and council were particularly instructed to secure to all blacks and people of colour, at Sierra Leone, equal rights and equal treatment, in all respects, with whites. They were to be tried by jury, as well as others; and the council was desired to allot to the blacks employments suited to their present abilities, and to afford them every opportunity of cultivating their talents. All practicable means of maintaining subordination were directed to be used; and the council was especially instructed to promote religion and morals, by supporting public worship and the due observance of the Sabbath, and by the instruction of the people, and the education of children. But no person was to be prevented from performing or attending religious worship in whatever place, time, or manner, he might think fit, or from peaceably inculcating his own religious opinions. Orders were given in choosing the site of a town, to consider health as the first object; and the first town was directed to be called Free Town. Articles for building and cultivation were sent out, besides the cargoes for prosecuting the company's commerce; and schools for reading, writing, and accounts, were ordered to be set up for the purpose of instructing the children of such natives as should be willing to put them under the company's care.

The leading object of the company was to substitute, for that disgraceful traffic which has too long subsisted, a fair commerce with Africa, and all the blessings which might be expected to attend it. Considerable advantages appeared hereby likely to result to Great Britain, not only from our obtaining several commodities cheaper, but also for opening a market for British manufactures, to the increasing demands of which it is difficult to assign a limit. From this connection, Africa was likely to derive the still more important benefits of religion, morality, and civilization. To accomplish these purposes, it was necessary for the company to possess a tract of land, as a repository for their goods, and which the Africans might cultivate in peace, secure from the ravages of the slave-trade. It had been ascertained, beyond a doubt, that the climate and soil of Africa were admirably suited to the growth of sugar, spices, coffee, cotton, indigo, rice, and every other species of tropical produce. The company proposed to instruct the natives to raise these articles, and to set them the example, by a spirited cultivation, on its own account. Directions were given to the company's commercial agent to push forward a trade, in a mode prescribed, in the present produce of Africa. Measures were taken for cultivating, on the company's account, the most profitable tropical produce; and in particular, a person of long experience in the West Indies was ordered to begin a sugar plantation. A mineralogist and botanist were likewise engaged to go out and explore the country for new articles of commerce.

Every thing being thus settled upon the most equitable and benevolent principles, the ships sailed with the British colonists, to whom, in March 1792, were added 1131 Blacks from Nova Scotia. The native chiefs being reconciled to the plan, and made to understand its beneficent tendency towards their people, the colony proceeded to build Free Town, on a dry and rather elevated spot on the south side of the river. It occupied between 70 and 80 acres, its length being about one-third of a mile, and its breadth nearly the same; and it contained near 400 houses, each having one-twelfth of an acre annexed, on which a few vegetables were raised. There were nine streets running from north-west to south-east, and three cross streets, all 80 feet wide, except one of 160 feet, in the middle of which were all the public buildings. These consisted of a governor's house and offices; a large store-house; a large hospital; six or eight other houses, offices, and shops, occupied by the company's servants; and a church capable of containing 800 people. The colonists at first suffered much from the rainy season, against which it was not in their power to provide sufficient protection; but at the end of it they recovered in a great measure their health and spirits, and proceeded with alacrity to execute the various purposes of their settlement. To excite emulation in culture, the government gave premiums to those colonists who raised the greatest quantities of rice, yams, eddoes, cabbages, Indian corn, and cotton, respectively. To limit the excesses of the slave-trade, and gain the favour of the neighbouring chiefs, the directors instructed the governor and council to redeem any native from the neighbourhood, who should be unjustly sold either to or by a British subject. The servants of the company conducted themselves with the utmost propriety, being sober, moral, and exemplary; and from the labours of the clergymen were derived services highly important in every point of view. Before the end of two years from the institution of the colony, order and industry had begun to show their effects in an increasing prosperity. The woods had been cut down to the distance of about three English miles all round the town. By these means the climate had become healthier, and sickness had diminished. The fame of the colony spread not only along the whole western coast of Africa, but also to parts far distant from the coast; embassies had been received of the most friendly nature from kings and princes several hundred miles distant; and the native chiefs had begun to send their children to the colony, with full confidence, to be taught reading, writing, and accounts, and to be brought up in the Christian religion. In a word, it was not without grounds that the directors looked forward to that joyful period when, by the influence of the company's measures, the continent of Africa should be rescued from her present state of darkness and misery, and exhibit a delightful scene of light and and knowledge of civilization and order, of peaceful industry and domestic comfort. On their beneficent exertions they hoped with confidence for the blessing of Providence; they were countenanced and supported by the British government; and upon the breaking out of the present war, the French Convention authorised one of their agents to write to the directors, requesting a full account of the design of the institution, and the names of the ships employed in their service, and assuring them of the good wishes of the French government so noble an undertaking. How completely that government fulfilled its promise is very generally known. Having vindicated the rights of man in Europe by the violation of every principle of truth and justice, they determined by the same means to give light and liberty to the Africans; and that they have fully carried their determination into effect will be seen by the following extract of a letter from Mr Afzelius, the company's botanist, dated Sierra Leone, 15th November 1794. "The French have been here and have ruined us. They arrived on the 28th of September last, early in the morning, with a fleet consisting of one large ship, two frigates, two armed brigs, and one cutter, together with two large armed merchant ships, taken by them at the Isles de Loss, an English slave factory to the north of our colony, and which they have also destroyed and burnt. So well had they concealed their nation, that we took them at first for English. They had English-built vessels, which were rigged in the English way. They showed the English flag, and had their sailors, at least those we saw on deck, dressed like English. In short, we did not perceive our mistake till we observed them pointing their guns. We had not strength sufficient to resist, and therefore our governor gave orders, that as soon as they should begin to fire, the British flag should be struck, and a flag of truce hoisted. Accordingly this was done, but still they continued firing, and did much damage, both within and without the town. They killed two people and wounded three or four. But as we did not understand the meaning of this proceeding, we asked them for an explanation; and they answered us, that we should display the flag of liberty, as a proof of our submission. We assured them that it should already have been done, if we had had any, which terminated the hostilities from the ships. In the mean time, most of the inhabitants had fled from the town, having taken with them as much of their property as they conveniently could in such a hurry. I was with the governor, together with a number of others; but as soon as I was certain they were enemies, I went towards my own house with a view to save as much as possible of my property and natural collections; but was received in such a manner, that I could not venture to proceed. My house was situated near the shore, and unfortunately just opposite the frigate which fired. I saw the balls passing through the house, and heard them whizzing about my ears. I saw that I should lose all my property; but life was dearer to me, and I hastened to the woods.

"In the afternoon the enemy landed, finding the town almost destitute of people, but rich in provisions, clothing and other stores. They began immediately to break open the houses and to plunder. What they did not want, they destroyed, burnt, or threw into the river. They killed all the cattle and animals they found in the fields or streets, yards or elsewhere, not sparing even asses, dogs, and cats. These proceedings they continued the whole succeeding week, till they had entirely ruined our beautiful and prospering colony; and when they found nothing more worth plundering, they set fire to the public buildings and all the houses belonging to the Europeans; and burnt, as they said, by mistake nine or ten houses of the colonists. In the meantime, they were not less active on the water. They sent three of their vessels to Bance island, an English slave factory higher up the river, which they plundered and burnt, together with some slave ships lying there. They took besides about 10 or 12 prizes, including the company's vessels. Most of these they unloaded and burnt. They took along with them also two of our armed vessels, one of which was a large ship, laden with provisions, and which had been long expected; but she unfortunately arrived a few days too soon, and was taken with her whole cargo. We expected at least to receive our private letters, but even this was refused, and they were thrown overboard. At last, after inflicting on us every hardship we could suffer, only sparing our lives and the houses of the colonists, they sailed on the 13th of October last, at noon, proceeding downwards to the Gold Coast, and left us in the most dreadful situation, without provisions, medicines, clothes, houses, or furniture, &c., &c., and I fear much, that most of us should have perished, had not our friends in the neighbourhood, both native and Europeans, who were so happy as to escape the enemy, been so kind as to send us what they could spare. In the mean time, most of us have either been, or still are, very sick, and many have died for want of proper food and medicine. The worst, however, is now past. At least we are not in any want of provision, although of the coarsest kind, but are destitute of the most necessary articles and utensils for the house, the table, and the kitchen.

It was thus that the Convention executed their purpose of spreading light and liberty throughout the world. The Sierra Leone colony was established for no other end than to abolish the slave-trade, to enlighten the Africans, and to render them virtuous, rational, free, and happy; and those powerful patrons of the rights of man destroyed that colony with many circumstances of the most wanton cruelty. Though Mr Afzelius is a Swede, and ought therefore to have been protected by the laws of neutrality, they burnt his house with the rest; deprived him of his trunks, his clothes, and his bed; destroyed the natural curiosities which he had collected at the hazard of his life; and carried away the instruments by means of which only he could collect more.

In 1798, Free-Town consisted of about 300 houses, and a number of public buildings, together with three wharfs. The government-house, so situated as to command the town and harbour, was protected by a palisade, and six pieces of cannon. The inhabitants of this colony were then computed at 1200, of whom 15 were shopkeepers, 25 fishermen, 10 trading shipmasters, owners of small vessels, 15 seamen, 20 labourers employed by the company, 4 schoolmasters; about one half of the whole population petty farmers, and the rest mechanics. The number of Europeans resident at that time in the colony was... Sierra was about 30, and nearly 400 free natives wrought as labourers for wages, on the farms in the colony.

A charter of justice was obtained in 1829, to control the turbulence of the blacks from Nova Scotia, and a small military force from Goree was stationed at Sierra Leone. Parliament allowed the company £7000, for the purpose of erecting a fort, with a promise of £8000 more for the same undertaking. The company also received £10,000 for their expense in settling the blacks from Nova Scotia, and a vote of parliament agreed to pay £4000 for supporting the civil government of the colony.

The Maroons arrived in Sierra Leone in the month of October 1829, and greatly assisted in suppressing an insurrection of the Nova Scotia blacks, who had attempted to seize on the government of the colony. A body of natives of the Timmaney, headed by two of the fugitive blacks, made an attack on the unfinished fort on the 18th of November, about day-break, but they were repulsed with loss. A truce was concluded; but it was supposed that the Timmanee chiefs would make use of this interval to form alliances with the natives against the British, in order to exterminate them from this part of Africa. Soldiers to the amount of 65 were brought from Goree, and a ship of war was stationed in the river, to defend the settlement.

In 1822, parliament again voted £10,000 to the company, for the annual expense of the settlement; and in February 1823, the directors were informed by Lord Hobart, that it would be for the interest of the colony to transfer the civil and military power from the company to the British government.

When Captain Hallowell arrived at Sierra Leone on the 12th of January 1823, he found the colony in a wretched condition, reporting to government on his return, that the Maroons were not satisfied with their condition, regarding it as one in which they could not find subsistence; that provisions of every description were both scarce and dear; that its inhabitants lived in hourly danger from the natives; and that the whole colonists lived in a state of despondency. Government, however, was afterwards satisfied, from the explanations of the directors and their servants, that the account of Captain Hallowell was by much too unfavourable. Expectations are indulged that, since the entire abolition of the slave-trade, the colony will soon obtain a flourishing trade with the natives, in the exchange of British manufactures for the raw produce of the interior parts of Africa.

A committee of the house of commons has had a most satisfactory proof of the progressive improvement of the internal administration of the colony, arising from the additional powers conferred on the company by the charter of justice, and the increased vigilance and exertion of the Company's servants. The Maroons have, in a great measure, abandoned some pernicious habits they had long indulged, and by their attachment to the colony, and peaceable demeanour, have merited the approbation of government. The progress made in the erection of works has been considerable, and the colony may be regarded in a state of sufficient security against the attack of any native power. A body of volunteers has been raised within the colony, whose fidelity and attachment have been tried by experience. The sickness and mortality which for some time existed, have in a great degree subsided; and there is reason to believe, that it rather originated with the troops when they entered the colony, and their habits of intemperance, than from any disorder connected with their residence in that situation. The number of births, which has for some time exceeded that of the deaths in the colony, is a satisfactory proof that it is not unfriendly to population.