CHAPTER XIII. 
THE SLAVE QUESTION CONSIDERED. 
On returning to tlie shores of our country, after 
an undertaking replete with danger and suffering, 
we found an almost universal impression that we had 
failed in executing the purposes for which we were 
sent. This we venture to submit to a considerate 
public, is not only severe, but unjust, in so far as it 
would appear to implicate those who had the conduct 
of the Expedition ; and it is hoped that the preceding 
narrative of om- progress will show that we succeeded 
in performing the duties assigned to us, until paralyzed 
and beaten back by an enemy against which neither 
skill, courage, nor forethought could avail. We might 
indeed be considered as having been in battle with a 
superior force, whose destructive and unceasing fire 
proved fatal to a large proportion of our crews; very 
few escaping injuries of such a nature, as to leave per- 
manent traces of their debilitating effects. We in fact 
only retreated with strength enough to carry away our 
