CHAPTER V. 
THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 
Institution of the Association. — Ledyard. — Lucas. — Descrip- 
tion of Fezzon, Bontou, and Cashna. — Watt and W inter - 
bottom 's Journey to Foota J alio. — Major Houghton. 
J he year I788 formed an entirely new era in the 
annals of African discovery. Interest only, if not 
plunder and violence, were no longer the objects 
with which its secrets were explored. An associ- 
ation was formed of men eminent for rank and 
wealth, and still more distinguished by their zeal 
in the cause of science and humanity. The ob- 
ject was simple ; — to promote the discovery of the 
inland parts of Africa, and thus to wipe off the 
disgrace, which a profound ignorance of those vast 
regions had so long thrown on the civilized na- 
tions of Europe. The plan was, to find out per- 
sons, qualified by enterprise and intelligence, to be 
employed in these scientific missions ; and as funds 
were necessary for this purpose, each individual 
agreed to subscribe a certain annual sum. The ma- 
O 
nagement of the funds, — the choice of the persons 
to be sent on discovery, — and the requisite correspon- 
dence, were entrusted to a committee of the fol- 
