VIU 
PREFACE. 
remained of redeeming their fate by more suc- 
cessful exertions. Greece and Rome alternately 
fought and conquered, and were subdued by 
arms, the short summary of most nations' his- 
tory, while it remained for the British Govern- 
ment alone to extend their empire through the 
enlightened agency of moral sway, of civil in- 
stitutes, and Christian regulations, and convey 
to the hapless, the neglected, and the enslaved, 
the highest blessings which can dignify, improve, 
or adorn man. 
Warmed with those feelings, I felt an honour- 
able pride in being entrusted with a command 
to explore the uncultivated regions of Western 
Africa. It was a task of peril, but the measure 
of danger was the measure of honour ; and with 
a strong distrust of my own capacity I accepted 
the office of conducting the expedition. As 
soon as I became acquainted with its objects, it 
may be naturally supposed that I felt some un- 
easiness ; but such were the measures taken by 
a superior commander, now no more, that any 
insufficiency on my part was compensated by 
the wisdom of a gallant and enlightened officer. 
The objects of the mission were not the mere 
acquisition of territory, or the unfair advantage 
of commerce ; they were the improvement of 
science, the enlargement of - trade, and the con- 
sequent diffusion of increased happiness to the 
