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AliT. lY Aceou7it qf the Captivity of Alexander Scott, 
among the Wandering Arabs of the Great African Desert, 
for a period of nearly Six Years. With Geographical Ob- 
servations on his Routes, and Remarhs on the Currents of 
the Ocean on the North-Western Coast of Africa, by Major 
Rennell, F. R. S. &c. &c. &c. 
[[This account was drawn up by my friend Mr William Lawson 
and myself, from notes of many conversations with Alexander Scott, 
immediately after his return from Africa. He was repeatedly exa- 
mined by us^ both separately and in conjunction. Whilst we guard- 
ed as much as possible against stimulating his invention by the na- 
ture of our questions, we enforced the necessity of strictly adhering 
to matters of fact ; and the result of our intercourse with him, is a 
conviction, that what he relates may be depended on, as far as his 
opportunities and talent for observation extend. His story, re- 
markably free from personal adventure, or suspicious affectation of 
accuracy in dates and distances, appeared to us always consistent. 
Like other persons who have experienced the horrible tyranny of 
the inhabitants of ^the African Desert, Scott at first exhibited a con- 
siderable degree of mental apathy. We probably have not exhaust- 
ed all his stock of inibrmation; we conceived that the cause of truth 
would be best served, by chiefly contenting ourselves with what he 
spontaneously uttered. This account might have appeared more 
interesting, had it been drawn up as Scott’s Own Narrative; but this 
would have deceived the public. We have, however, adhered strict- 
ly to his meaning ; and, as nearly as we could with propriety, to the 
language of an ill-educated seaman. The MS. was submitted to the 
late excellent President of the Loyal Society of London, and to our 
illustrious geographer Major Rennell. The information it con- 
tained appeared to them so important, that the latter gentleman has 
been induced to furnish a Map, and the two very valuable Disser- 
tations annexed to this paper. 
Liverpool. 24ih Oct 1820. Tnos. Stewart Traill.] 
-A.lexa>tder Scott, a native of Liverpool, at the age of six- 
teen years, sailed as an apprentice in the ship Montezuma, com- 
manded by Captain Knubley, and belonging to Messrs J. T. 
Roster and Company of that port. The vessel sailed on the 
* It was the original intention of Dr Traill to publish this Narrative in a se- 
parate volume, for the benefit of Scott’s friends. Upon submitting it, however, 
to an eminent publisher, it was deemed too short for a separate work ; and I avail- 
ed myself of the opportunity which this circumstance presented, of acquiring it for 
this Journal.. — D. B. 
