1810.] 
fate of our intrepid countryman, I have 
engaged Isaacs to goin search of him, and 
have furnished him with a present for 
Mansong, the king of Bambarra, and also 
with means to defray his travelling 
expences; and have promised him a 
thousand dollars if he finds Mr. Park. 
He has instructions to proceed without 
delay to Sego; to present to Mansong the 
present he has for him; and to beg of 
him to aid him in his researches. If he 
cannot procure any certain intelligence 
of him at Sego, he is to continue his 
ourney to Sansanding, to find out the 
guide who conducted Mr. Park to Kas- 
sina. If there he cannot gain satisfac- 
tory information, he is to endeavour to 
proceed to Tombuctoo and Kassina. 
*€ Tsaacs has promised to make every 
exertion to fulfil the object of his mis- 
sion, and to use his utmost ability to 
gain correct information of the cele- 
brated traveller.” 
It has been already mentioned, that 
commissioners have been appointed by 
governmens to inguire into the state of 
, the African coast, wikh a view to the 
adoption of such measures as may most 
effectually promote the civilization and 
improvement of Africa. Their mission 
was delayed, in consequence of the loss 
of the Solebay frigate, which was to have 
attended themon the survey: and it was 
only in January last that another frigate 
was dispatched to supply the place of the 
Selebay. It may be presumed that they 
have by this time entered on their im- 
portant labours, as the frigate had 
reached Goree about the 1st of Fe- 
bruary. 
The information which has been re- 
ceived from Africa, since the last meet- 
ing of the institution, has been less abun- 
dant than usual; but the directors will 
now state such particulars of it as are 
likely to prove most interesting to the 
subscribers. 
Their first extract will be from a letter 
of lord Caledon, the governor of the 
Cape of Good Hope, dated the 29th of 
May, 1809. -His lordship, who is a life 
governor of the institution, and warmly 
interested in its success, writes as follows: 
‘¢ From the vague reports of the colo- 
nists, as well as from other causes suffi- 
cienily obvious, I conceived it would be 
highly desirable, if a person were found 
qualified and willing, to explore the co- 
lonial boundary in the northeeast direc- 
tion; and as a medical gentleman of the 
Montuty Mae. Ne. 202: 
The African Institution. 
57 
name of Cowan, proposed himself to me 
for this purpose, I gave him my sanction, 
and what assistance [ considered neces 
sary, for enabling him to execute the de-~ 
sign. He left the Cape in September’ 
1808, and, crossing thé Orange River, 
found himself on the 24th of December, 
in lat. 24°. 30%. Jong. 289. He was at 
this period resting on the bank of a river 
called the ‘Moloffo, and had the inten- 
tion of proceeding on the following day 
in a course more northerly ; but his ultie 
mate object is to gain Mosambique, or 
one of the Portuguese settlements on 
the eastern coast. | 
‘¢ Dr. Cowan describes the country to 
the northward of Leetakoo as being for 
the most part fertile; and observes, that 
all the rivers he has hitherto passed rua 
to the west. The reception he met 
with was invariably hospitable; and in 
scarcely any instance did the natives 
appear to mark a suspicion. As he ad- 
vanced, he found an increased degree of 
civilization; and represents the wealthy 
people of one tribe of Barolloos as be- 
ing possessed of ‘servants, as well as 
slaves. The opthalmia was prevalent 
amony these people. 
“ From all that [ have been able to 
collect, from a worthy missionary of tne 
name of Anderson, I am sanguine in 
believing that Dr. Cowan will succeed in 
reaching Mosaimbique, where I have ale 
ready paved the way for procuring him 
a favourable reception.” 
“T regret very much,” his lordship 
adds, ‘* that I omitted to make myself 
acquainted with those points upon which 
the Institution might wish for particular 
information; but as it is not improbable 
that other adventurers may arise, I shall 
be obliged to you to procure for me the 
directions, if such there are, which the 
Institution furnishes to.those in its ems 
ployment.” 
His lordship’s request has been come 
plied with; and he has been furnished 
with copies of the queries drawn up for 
the purpose of guiding the inquiries of 
African travellers. 
In a letter, dated March the 6th, 
1309, the governor of Sierra Leone ina 
forins the directors, that 
“« Measures have been taken for exe 
citing the attention of the Coast to the 
cotton seed sent out by the Institution 
and a portion of it will be propagated 
in this colony at the proper season. 
‘* An experiment bas been made ef 
ae 
