394, Ancient and Modern Systems of Slavery. [APRIL, 



as regards the treatment of slaves, in what we may designate their 

 native country. 



The expedition left England on the 27th of August, 1825 : on the 

 21st of October they reached Sierra Leone. " The day after our arrival, 

 I went on shore, and sauntered alone through Freetown, visiting the 

 church and other public buildings. I was grieved to see that sacred 

 edifice converted into a market-place, and buyers and sellers indecently 

 disputing and wrangling in the temple of God. The colony was rather 

 sickly, and the great number of deaths which had recently taken place, 

 sufficiently attested the extreme unhealthiness of that immense f charnel- 

 house/ "* 



The Brazen sailed for Cape Coast on the 27th : on the 7th of the 

 following month they had a visit from the King of the Kroomen. " He 

 wore a necklace of gris-gris, (charms or amulets), made of leather, in 

 the merits of which he seemed to repose implicit confidence, believing 

 himself the most fortunate of men in having it in his possession ; and as 

 long as this was the case, he asserted neither demon nor 'human being 

 could in anywise injure him."t 



One of his attendants, equally superstitions, was displeased that 

 Lander would not prove the virtues of the amulet he wore, by discharg- 

 ing a loaded musket at his breast ! We would not specially notice these 

 superstitious opinions, so universally prevalent throughout Africa, were 

 it not that the implicit reliance of the natives upon their efficacy, is 

 another proof of the failure of all our attempts to enlighten even those 

 natives who are in immediate communication with settlements formed, 

 and kept up principally with a view of dispelling these delusions. 



The expedition arrived at Cape Coast Castle on the 14th September, 

 and on the following day proceeded to Accra, Papoe, and Whydah, 

 where Dr. Dicksoii was put on shore. 



Subsequently the Brazen proceeded to Badagry, at which place the 

 other travellers were disembarked on the 29th November. 



The number of slave vessels captured, seen, and heard of by the 

 Brazen during this short voyage, amply confirm the statements we have 

 repeatedly made of the great extent to which the contraband slave 

 trade is still carried on. 



After an abundance of feasting and foolery with King Adolee of 

 Badagry, the expedition was escorted up a branch of the Lagos river 

 by that beastly savage and a guard. The travellers seem at first to 

 have imprudently exposed themselves to the dews by sleeping in the 

 open air ; and next day, the extortion of the native chiefs, and the want 

 of bearers to carry the luggage, commenced. Sickness in a few days 

 began to assail our countrymen ; and, in less than a month from the 

 time of their landing, Captain Clapperton and Lander left the town of 

 Engwa the only survivors ! 



Passing through a beautiful country and a variety of villages, they 

 rested two days at Chiddoo, to allow the Captain and Mr. Houtson (who 

 had joined them since leaving Engwa) to recover from the severe indis- 

 position which had assailed them. 



On the 12th of January they proceeded, attended great part of the 

 way by crowds of natives, and going over a rocky ridge, on which is 

 situated the town of Cheki, they passed several Fellatah villages to Soc- 



* Records of Clapperlon's last Expedition to Africa, By Richard Lander. Colburn 

 and Bentley, 1830. 



t Ib. p. 24. 



