THE COLUMBINE. 9 



sisting boarders, and preventing the natives 

 from crowding the decks ; a precaution which 

 I strongly recommend to any vessels fitting out 

 for a similar voyage. 



The investments of goods were selected by 

 Mr. Lander, who, it was presumed, from his ac- 

 quaintance with the interior of Africa, was the 

 most proper person for that purpose. No ex- 

 pense was spared in providing not only neces- 

 saries, but luxuries, for the officers and crew ; 

 and it was generally allowed, that better-found 

 vessels had never left the port of Liverpool. 



The sailing vessel purchased by the company, 

 named the Columbine, was a remarkably fine 

 brig, of about two hundred tons, only four years 

 old, and well provided with stores. She was 

 appointed to carry out the goods, and was to 

 remain at the mouth of the river to receive 

 any cargo which the steam-vessels might bring 

 down from the interior. She was to accompany 

 the steam-vessels on the voyage out, as, having 

 been built expressly for river navigation, it was 

 not to be expected that they would prove good 

 sea-boats. 



In consequence of the cholera being very 

 prevalent in Liverpool, our orders directed us 



