4S6 
BUSHMEN. 
[1813. 
benevolence. My fellow-traveller Mr. Read, and the 
brethren at Pella, entertained the same sentiments. 
Accordingly it was proposed to Mr. Schmelen, an 
active zealous missionary, that when the rainy season 
commenced, which usually is in January, he should 
first explore the mouth of the Great River, to see if 
there be any spot suited for a missionary station, and if 
there be any safe harbour or anchorage for ships, by 
which goods from Cape-town might be brought by 
whaling vessels to the missionary settlements on the 
Great River, which would be a great saving of expense 
to the Society, and of toil and peril to the missionaries. 
It was proposed that he should then travel along the 
shores of Great Namacqua land, searching for inlets, 
harbours, rivers, fountains, and land capable of im- 
provement — that he should ascertain the number of 
inhabitants, their manners and customs, whether willing 
to receive instruction among them, and various other 
circumstances which were stated to him — then, if he 
found it practicable, that he should proceed along 
the Damara coast^ making the same enquiries, 
Vvithout attempting to proceed farther in a northerly 
direction, but that he should obtain all possible 
information concerning the nations beyond the Da- 
maras.* 
* InteUigence has just been received of Mr. Schmelen's return 
after a journey of five months in these countries, some account of 
which will be inserted in the Appendix. 
