2 
TRAVELS IN THE 
Captain in the army, and formerly Fort-Major at Goree, had 
already sailed to the Gambia, under the direction of the Asso- 
ciation, and that there was reason to apprehend he had fallen a 
sacrifice to the climate, or perished in some contest with the 
natives ; but this intelligence, instead of deterring me from my 
purpose, animated me to persist in the offer of my services with 
the greater solicitude. I had a passionate desire to examine 
into the productions of a country so little known ; and to 
become experimentally acquainted with the modes of life, and 
character of the natives. I knew that I was able to bear 
fatigue ; and I relied on my youth, and the strength of my 
constitution, to preserve me from the effects of the climate. 
The salary which the Committee allowed was sufficiently large, 
and I made no stipulation for future reward. If I should perish 
in my journey, I was willing that my hopes and expectations 
should perish with me ; and if I should succeed in rendering 
the geography of Africa more familiar to my countrymen, and 
in opening to their ambition and industry new sources of 
wealth, and new channels of commerce, I knew that I was in 
the hands of men of honour, who would not fail to bestow that 
remuneration which my successful services should appear to 
them to merit. The Committee of the Association, having 
made such inquiries as they thought necessary, declared them- 
selves satisfied with the qualifications that I possessed, and ac- 
cepted me for the service ; and with that liberality which on 
all occasions distinguishes their conduct, gave me every encou- 
ragement which it was in their power to grant, or which I could 
with propriety ask. 
