xciv 
ACCOUNT OF TH E 
Tlie scheme of an expedition into the interior of Africa, 
formed upon these principles, has lately been proposed 
from high authority, which holds out a considerable pros- 
pect of success. From the quarter in which the suggestion 
has originated, a reasonable hope maybe entertained that 
this plan, of which the following is a short outline, will 
ultimately be carried into effect.* 
In the Royal African corps now serving at Sierra Leone 
there are three companies of black men, enlisted from the 
slaves obtained from the numerous slave trading vessels 
which have at different times been condemned as prize 
upon that coast. Among these there are several natives of 
Tombuctoo, Haoussa, Bornou and other countries even 
more distant ; some of them having been brought from 
parts of Africa so remote as to have been two, three and 
four moons upon their journey to the coast. Most of them 
have acquired sufficient knowledge of the English language 
to express themselves so as to be understood, although 
they retain their native languages, which they still speak 
with fluency. 
These men, having been trained and disciplined with 
great care, are become excellent soldiers, and are spoken 
of by the Governor of Sierra Leone in the highest terms of 
approbation for their obedience, steadiness and general 
good conduct. They are of course inured to the climate, 
are accustomed to hardships and fatigues, and capable of 
* The particulars of the projected expedition here alluded to, which are given 
in the text, are extracted from a very interesting communication lately made to 
the African Institution by Major General Gordon, Quarter Master General of the 
British Forces. 
