SIERRA LE ONA. CHA P. on the higher grounds; and, in the mountainous parts, it is XI. believed, the air is very temperate. Fora Bay is lefs healthy than the first settlement; but it may be questioned whether a more healthful spot than either may not be selected. The information of Mr. Falconbridge confirms the opinion of Lieut. Matthews, in his late publication, as well as that of geographers." I believe," fays Lieut. M. " that Sierra Leona, if properly cleared and cultivated, would be equal in falubrity, and fuperior in cultivation, to any of the Iflands in the West Indies *." Population and govern ment. 338. The population on the coast, appears to be inconfiderable, and is chiefly on the river fide, where are several towns of scarcely more than fifty houses each. A chief, who is a principal flave-trader, generally prefides in every town, fubordinate to King Naimbanna, who lives on Robanna, a small island, between the English flave-factory at Bance island, and the French one at Gambia ifland. On Robanna are about fifty inhabitants, dependents of the king, who is of a peaceable disposition, and generally respected and obeyed. His territory is faid to reach three days journey up the country, being much more populous inland; but neither the extent of his country, nor the nature of his jurisdiction, seem to be ascertained. His title is elective; but his eldest fon, now in England (1791) would be likely to fucceed; as the electing chiefs generally follow hereditary fucceffion. * Voy. to S. Leona, p. 21.-For fome fimilar accounts, which I have collected of that part of the coast of Africa, see in the Append. Notes, &c. respecting S. Leona and Bulama, NOTE E. 339. In XI. SIERRA LE ΟΝΑ, morals. 339. In religion and morals the natives are wholly unin- CHA P. ftructed. Perpetual feuds feem to prevail between families, once hostile, and their defcendants; and to carry each other off for flaves is a common retaliation*. They are generally pagans, without priests, worship or stated rites. Religion and They are polygamifts; but their marriage is not indiffoluble, and they give their children no education. They have some superstitions, chiefly about witchcraft; but in general have no religious prejudices, and appear extremely defirous of all European improvements. One of the chiefs sent his Nativesdefirfon to Bifagos, 300 miles off, to learn to read and write: ous of imfor there is no schooling nearer than the Portuguese settlements. Mr. Elliot, King Naimbanna's black secretary, was educated in England, through the kindness of Mr. Granville Sharp, and has excited a great defire of education among the king's children. 340. The king sent one fon to France for instruction, another is under a Mandingo teacher, a Mahometan. The eldeft, John Frederick, just before Mr. Falconbridge went out, had agreed to give 3 flaves to a Guinea captain for a paffage to Jamaica, and thence to England, with a view of obtaining useful knowledge. But the king's confidence in Mr. F. induced him, notwithstanding strong remonstrances * "A vindictive spirit prevailed among most nations before the introduction of Chriftianity, or civilization. Dr. Robertfon obferves, that formerly in Scotland, whose present inhabitants are not behind any of their neighbours, in the practice of the Christian virtues, " quarrels were tranfmitted from father to son, and under the name of deadly feuds, fubfifted for many generations, with unmitigated rancour." Hift. of Scotland, Vol. I. p. 40, edit. 1781. Though the Africans are vindictive to their enemies, Lieut. Matthews obferves, that to their friends they are hofpitable and kind, and that he received fuch treatment from them, in the time of the utmost distress, as he could have expected only from his best and nearest friends." provement. K. Naimban na fends one fon to Fra. and another to Eng. for education. NA-V-PRA XI. ΟΝΑ. CHA P. against trusting him in the company's fhip, to fend him to London, with a letter requesting Mr. Gran. Sharp to direct SIERRALE his education. The king and his fon ardently defire to refcue their country from it's ignorance and wretchedness; and to put an end to the flave-trade, the evils of which they deplore. The following is an extract of King Naimbanna's letter to Mr. Sharp. 341. "It has been told that these people (the free settlers from England) would in time drive me by force of arms, back in the country, and take my ports from me. I have received feveral accounts, from factories and captains of ships, against the fettlement, which I took no notice of, as I conceived it was, in my opinion, spite or envy that they had against their living in the country; but have served them in any little request they asked of me, and have endeavoured to keep peace between them and my people, and also among themfelves, by fettling a great many difquiets between them. It was pleasure to do it, as I thought they would become ufeful to us all in this country, by teaching us things we know not; and common reason must tell, that the most ignorant people in the world would be glad to fee their coun try made good, if they had idea how it might be done. And again I must let you know, that if there were no other reason for my wifhing for the welfare of the fettlement, I fhould do it, that there might be a stop put to the horrid depredations that are so often committed in this country, by all countries that come here to trade." He then speaks of the carrying off fome of his own relations for flaves, which we shall mention in another part of this report. He adds, "as to the fettlers, I could only wish that you will fend me over one worthy of taking the care and command of the place, then you need not be afraid of their prosper XI. SIERRA LE ΟΝΑ. ing in this country. Mr. Falconbridge during his time CHA P. out here, I approved much. I ever was partial to the people of Great Britain, for which cause I have put up with a great deal of infults from them, more than I should from any other country.-My fon, I hope you will take care of him, and let him have his own ways in nothing, but what you think right yourself." 342. Accordingly, the directors, in behalf of their conftituents, undertook to have King Naimbanna's fon, who was 24 years of age, educated at the company's expense. And they expreffed great fatisfaction in reflecting, that, if it should please God to prolong his life, he appeared likely, from his abilities and difpofition, to be instrumental in introducing knowledge and civilization into Africa, and in cementing a confidential union between the colony and the natives. 343. The following general account of the produce of Cultivation Sierra Leona, was fubmitted to the general court, &c*. 344. Besides trading to Sierra Leona, for it's own produce, it appears that a coafting trade, and, through the rivers, which are more numerous near it than any other portion of Africa, an inland trade may be established, in small veffels which may deposit the produce of other parts of Africa at Sierra Leona. and trade. 345. The flave-trade is decreafing very much at Sierra State of the Leona, the price of flaves having rifen to 25 or £30 fter. * See in the Append. Notes, &c. refpe&ting S. Leona and Bulama, NOTE Falfo Chap. V. viz. that on "Produce." flave-trade, each; XI. SIERRALE ONA. Europeans fupply natives with powder and fpirits. CHAP. each; and not above 1000 are now annually exported from this river. They are chiefly brought down through a chain of factories, but not through the company's ground, and a great many are children. The kings and chiefs trade in flaves; but the principal traders are the French and English factors. It is customary to credit the black factors who either travel themselves, or deal with other factors ftill farther up, with European goods (chiefly gun-powder and fpirits) and, if they fail in bringing the ftipulated flaves, they are made flaves themselves; or, if they do not return in a certain time, any one of their families are taken. King Naimbanna's fon mentions this as a prevailing custom. The fudden, vindictive temper of the natives seems also to promote this traffic. (See § 339 note.) If a domestic slave is impertinent, he is fold. The children of fuch are occafionally fold also. But, with rich traders, this is not common: for domeftic flaves are diftinct from thofe for trade, doing little, and being much indulged. King Naimbanna has 120 of these, who give him half their earnings, and are much attached to him. It is a point of honour never to forgive injuries; fo that families will feize one another for flaves, as opportunity offers, for many generations (See § 339 note.) This practice, however, though partly owing to revenge, may be chiefly afcribed to the want of efficient government. The offences, real or imputed, which are punished with flavery, are chiefly adultery and witchcraft. Suicide of faves. 346. King Naimbanna's fon gives a dreadful account of the anguish and despair of the flaves brought down to the coaft. Unless secured, they will strike or stab any person who approaches them. It is common for them to cut their own throats, or otherwise destroy themselves. He is per fuaded, |