THE WESTERN COAST. 
307 
Leyden, upon the materials then in possession of 
the public. Since that time have appeared the Re- 
ports of the African Institution; of the Select 
Committee on the African forts ; and Mr Mere- 
dith's interesting " Account of the Gold Coast of 
" Africa.' ' From these sources a considerable 
amount of new information has been obtained. 
The affairs of the Sierra Leone Company, ac- 
cording to the usual fate of such establishments, 
having gone into disorder, and the profits being in- 
adequate to cover the expences, an arrangement 
was made, by which their property was transferred 
to the hands of Government, and Sierra Leone 
was placed on the same footing as other colonies. 
At the same time, a society, under the title of the 
African Institution, was formed by a large body of 
the most virtuous and respectable individuals in 
this country, with a general view to the improve- 
ment and civilization of the African continent. 
Sierra Leone, which appeared the best centre 
whence such efforts could issue, was placed under 
their management and direction. There can be 
no doubt, notwithstanding the charges brought by 
a person who held for some time an office in the 
Colony, of the zeal with which the Institution have 
pursued every object tending to the improvement 
of this colony, as well as the general benefit of 
Africa. Of this, the character of its members would 
be a sufficient pledge \ but it is farther rendered evi- 
