CHAPTER II. 
I'he exploration of Africa desirable for nobler ends than the acquisition 
of wealth — Sir Fowell Buxton proposes "The Remedy” — Formation 
of the Society for the Suppression of the Slave Trade and the 
civilization of Africa — Lord John RusselFs views on the Slave 
Trade — Proposes to send an Expedition to communicate "with the 
interior of Africa, and to establish commercial treaties — Size and 
construction of the vessels— Arrangements for artificial ventilation 
suggested by Dr, Reid — Armament — Paddle-box boats — Officers 
appointed — Captain H. D. Trotter to command the expedition — The 
* Wilberforce* touches at Kingston — Visit of the Viceroy — Proceed- 
ings at Kingston — Awkward mistake — The ‘ Wilberforce^ arrives at 
Woolwich — H.R.H. Prince Albert visits the vessels — His interest 
in the expedition — Munificent present to the Commanders — 
Commissioners appointed — Scientific gentlemen attached to the 
mission — Detentions. 
A THIRST for discovery, and the spirit of commercial 
enterprise, had stimulated all these attempts to penetrate 
into the interior of Africa. But a new and a better 
motive now arose to produce a far greater effort. 
England had shown her sincerity in the cause which 
she had undertaken — the suppression of the Slave Trade 
— by devoting to it her treasures, the lives of her sons, 
and the unremitting efforts of her Government. Melan- 
