xxxii 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
for the services rendered to them, had placed him, for the 
present, in easy circumstances : and he remained for a long 
time altogether doubtful and unsettled as to his future plan 
of life. During part of the year 1799 he appears to have 
been engaged in a negociation with government (which 
finally proved unsuccessful) relative to some public appoint- 
ment in the colony of New South Wales. At another time 
he had partly determined to look out for a farm ; and at 
last came, somewhat reluctantly, to the determination of 
practising his profession, to which he was perhaps at no 
time much attached, and which was now become more 
irksome from disuse. 
The uncertainty in the state of his affairs during this 
period was much encreased by the hope, which he constantly 
entertained, of being sent out on another expedition, either 
by the African Association or by Government. This clearly 
appears from a letter which he wrote to Sir Joseph Banks, 
dated 31st of July, 1800 ; in which, he alludes to the late 
capture of Goree, which he considers as introductory to 
opening a communication with the Interior of Africa; 
and after entering into some details relative to that subject, 
he proceeds as follows: " If such are the views of Govern- 
" ment, I hope that my exertions in some station or other, 
" may be of use to my country. I have not as yet found 
" any situation in which I could practise to advantage as 
" a surgeon ; and unless some of my friends iuterest them- 
" selves in my behalf, I must wait patiently, until the 
" cloud which hangs over my future prospects is dispelled." 
An opportunity for medical practice, which was thought 
sufl&ciently promising, having offered itself at Peebles, he 
