SOCIAL CONDITION OF AFRICA. 2^1 



eggs and feathers of the ostrich, tusks of the elephant and 

 hippopotamus, and rich fur mantles. 



It would be improper to omit mentioning in this place 

 the benevolent and persevering exertions of the Moravian 

 and other missionaries, who, in that distant quarter of the 

 continent, have made indefatigable exertions for the instruc- 

 tion and improvement of the miserable natives. They have 

 not only communicated to them the light of true religion, 

 but have successfully laboured to better their temporal cir- 

 cumstances, and communicate habits of order, cleanliness, 

 and industry. The missionary stations now extend north- 

 ward to Lattakoo, and eastward into the country of the 

 CafFres ; and they are daily assuming a wider range. 



By far the most persevering attempt made by Britain to 

 form a colony in Africa applies to that founded at Sierra 

 Leone, originating in the most benevolent motives, and con- 

 ducted under the patronage of highly distinguished charac- 

 ters. It had for its object the improvement of the conti- 

 nent, as well as the diminution and final abolition of the 

 African slave-trade. In 1772, a celebrated decision by 

 Lord Mansfield established the principle, that a negro, from 

 tne moment he sets foot on British ground, becomes free. 

 A strong interest was thus excited on the subject ; and a 

 great number of black servants having, in consequence of 

 the above judgment, left their masters, were rambling in a 

 somewhat desolate condition in the streets of the British 

 metropolis. On learning their circumstances, Mr. Granville 

 Sharp, an individual of unwearied benevolence, with the 

 advice of Mr. Smeathman, who had spent a considerable 

 time in Africa, formed the plan of transporting them into 

 their native country, to lay the foundation of a colony. 

 Government having concurred in the undertaking, the set- 

 tlers were sent out in the Nautilus, Captain Thompson, and 

 landed on the 9th May, 1787, upon a district of about 

 twenty square miles, purchased from Naimbanna, the king 

 of Sierra Leone. Unfortunately these negroes, as well as 

 about sixty whites, chiefly females, sent along with them, 

 were of mixed and very indifferent characters. A great 

 proportion soon fell a sacrifice to the climate, — the others 

 showed themselves destitute of all habits of industry, and 

 were besides severely harassed by the hostility of the neigh 

 bouring tribes ; so that, by the year 1791, the whole number 



A. 



