132 
THE GOLU COAST. 
immediately commenced the operations of taking in coals, 
stores, provisions, goods for the Model Farm, &c. from 
the transport, and sending on hoard of her such articles 
as we were not likely to want in the river, but which 
were to be landed at Fernando Po. 
The Commissioners went on shore to the Castle, and 
presented Lord John Russell’s letter to Mr. President 
M'Lean, who professed his cordial desire to forward our 
views. 
The country around Cape Coast is for the most part 
flat, and, therefore, only presents a line of elevated 
tropical foliage, enlivened by the large and well-built 
fortress, which stands forth in bold relief from the sur- 
rounding dark green, on a rock close to the sea. Cape 
Coast may he considered the most important of the 
European settlements on that portion of the coast, 
termed, par excellence, “ the Gold Coast,” which is 
comprised within the following limits : from 1® 10' east 
longitude, to 3® 20' west longitude, and running nearly 
along the parallel of 5® lO" north latitude. Of the 
various settlements which have been at different times 
attempted on this coast by our countrymen, only four 
now remain ; Dix Cove, Cape Coast Castle, An:imaboe, 
and Accra ; while the Danish and Dutch have also a few 
factories and forts, of which St. George Del !Mlna,* near 
Cape Coast, and Christianherg near Accra, are the prin- 
cipal. Perhaps the cause of tlie decadence of all the others, 
* Del Mina, so named by the first Dutch settlers finding gold 
and supposing the mine to be near. The discoverer was ennobled 
with the title of “ El-Mina.” 
