^66 
THE WESTERN COAST, 
the civilization of Africa, associated under the 
name of the St George's Bay Company, to carry 
out stores for the rehef of the dispersed colonists, 
/ and to form them again into a permanent settle- 
ment. Mr Falconbridge found the original colo- 
nists, though still turbulent and disorderly, warm- 
ly attached to their European friends, and ready 
to concur in any measures for their mutual secu- 
rity ; but much more formidable obstacles pre- 
sented themselves, in prevailing upon the native 
chiefs to ratify the surrender of territory which 
had been formerly occupied. The only proper- 
ty with which the savage is acquainted, consists of 
the fruits of the earth, his ornaments, arms, and 
instruments of hunting and fishing. He changes 
his habitation according to convenience, and 
never thinks of buying or selling the earth upon 
which he roams at large. His own possession of 
territory is temporary ; he cannot therefore be- 
lieve that any cession is perpetual. He admits a 
colony, because he imagines it consists of his 
friends, or because the colonists have purchased 
his friendship ; but as soon as he changes his opi- 
nion, or withdraws his friendship, he thinks faim- 
self completely justified in resuming that right 
which he had abandoned without reflection. Af- 
ter a palaver held for the purpose, and consider- 
able altercation, Mr Falconbridge repurchased 
the former territory, on condition of building his 
