70 
VOYAGE TO SENEGAJL, 
., Mr. Beaver and the valiant colonists Vv^ho would not aîjandoiî 
îîim, braved the climate, and resisted the repeated attacks of 
the inhabitants of tlîe Bissagos, by whom they were often dis- 
turbed, thoiigh they always repelled thera with loss. These 
Kegroes coîîsider the island of Bulam as a part of their domain. 
It would be difiicuit to persuade them to th.e contrary ; but their 
forbearance might be purchased at a triiiiug rate; and this mode 
is preferable to a state of war, which otherwise would always 
disturb the colony. ^ 
The iirst months were employed m cultivating a considerable 
tract of the island, and in building a large house in the form 
of a barricade, which was the general magazine, the residence 
of the colonists, and their citadel. The gardens which thej 
formed, were handsome and agreeable; and different botanical 
experiments were successfully made, with tropical and European 
seeds and plants: all the vegetable productions answered their 
expectations, and arrived at maturity with astonishing quickness. 
The colonists, however, informed of the declaration of war, 
while their separation from Europe deprived them of clothes, 
medicines, and implements of agriculture, induced Captain 
Beaver to retire to Sierra Leone, to pass the rainy season. He 
therefore left Bulam under the protection of the neighbour- 
ing ISTegro kings, whose confidence and esteem he had acquire 
and who promised to keep the island in trust for the colonists 
tiiî the termination of the war. 
These princes, who were sincerely attached to Captain Beaver, 
had discovered, that commerce and agriculture, whicii increase 
mankind and the products of nature, a^*e preferable to speculations 
"which have for their object the depopulation of Africa. 
On the 29th November, 1793, Captain Beaver left the island 
of Bulam, with the extreme regret of not having been 5;econded 
m proportion to his zeal and perseverance. It appears, however, 
that the labours which were begun, were not entirely suspendeti 
till after the war. The English will cei tainly appear again on 
that island ; and I have no doubt, that their generous eâbrts will 
be crowned with success. 
To return to the archipelago of the Bissagos ; it must be stat- 
ed, that it is formed by a multitude of rivers, which empty 
themselves into the sea. I have already spoken of the Casamanca 
and Saint Domingo, as well as of the Portuguese establishments, 
their commerce, and connections with the various tribes of na- 
tives who inhabit the banks of those rivers. 1 have, hovvever, 
yet-to offer some remarks on the kingdom of Cabo, which deserves 
particular notice. 
About one hundred and iifty leagues from the mouth of the 
