Colonift Subfcribers to the Bulama Affociation, and who failed APPENDIX. ་ཁཁ་མ Dr. S's MSS. respecting Africa. Proofs of Dr. S's ability, and zeal. Obfervations on the ther anometer. Journals and other MSS. left by the late Dr. H. Smeathman. (See 331, note.*) 1029. When the concluding fheet of this work was about to be printed off, Mr. Heathcote, a gentleman particularly acquainted with the late Dr. Smeathman, was fo kind as to fend the author a box containing a great number of the MSS. of that indefatigable and philofophical traveller.-Mr. Heathcote's friendship to the Doctor originated in an enlightened zeal for the best interests of mankind; and a peculiar defire to contribute to the civilization of Africa, has now induced this gentleman, to entrust the author with the papers of his deceased friend. But unfortunately they have come too late to be rendered of any material ufe to the prefent publication. A cur fory view of thefe curious MSS. however, fufficiently fhews, that many of them deferve to be published, on account of their intrinfick value. 1030. It is certan that so many speaking proofs of ability and indefatigable diligence, in the caufe of humanity and useful knowledge, are not always to be met with among the pofthumous papers of men, whofe fame has yet been found a very pro fitable theme for fashionable panegyric. But the very misfortunes of poor Dr. S. and the uncomfortable circumftances in which he often pursued his researches, will enhance the value of his performances in the eyes of every friend to real merit. 1031. In order to gratify fome readers, the following observations on the Ther mometer are inferted. They are extracted from one of the Doctor's Journals, kept at the Island of Bananas, where they were regularly taken down from the 19th of December 172, till the 16th of January 1773. 6 in the morning 60 the loweft, and 68 the higheft 64 Average .at 70. Ditto 68 Ditto 77 Ditto 73 Ditto There are feveral fimilar obfervations to be met with in different parts of his journals, but not having been made in a regular feries of time, they cannot be ar ranged. Aninterefting 1032. Among the MSS, of Dr. S. is one confifting of 86 pages large quarto, ap MSS. respect-parently drawn up with much judgement and experience, and which feems to be rea ing colonizady for the prefs. It is entitled, "A Plan for a new and beneficial Syftem of Commerce and Colonization, which may be established at a small Expence, on the Grain Coast of Africa, in a feries of Letters to a friend, by H. S." 1033. There are alfo many detached MSS. refpecting the prefervation of health, and the removal of inconveniences attending warm climates, and various large and interefting journals, fragments of observations, &c. 1034. In short the ardour of Dr. S. in useful researches is abundantly verified by APPENDIX. thefe valuable papers; and it would be a breach of candour and charity to doubt that his pursuits were directed, not by the fordid and mercantile fpirit of the prefent Anecdote refpeting Dr. age, but by the philanthropic fentiment, thus expreffed in one of his MSS. "If every S's character. man knew that his happiness depended on making others happy, all mankind would be fo." The Author here fubjoins the Print of the Medal he promifed. (§ 331 note). 1035. Capt. I. Kendrick, of the Columbia, the firft American veffe! that vifited the NW. coaft of N. America, purchased from the Natives a beautiful and fertile tract 240 miles fquare. 1036. It may perhaps not be improper to hint, that the eafy conditions on which this valuable tract of land might be obtained, independent of all claims of jurifdiction from any nation whatever, ought to have its due weight with all thofe who may be inclined to form themselves into colonial associations, for exemplifying and extending any enterprize that may be beneficial to mankind, beyond the reach of mercantile influence, either according to the plan hinted at, $604, 606, or any other that may be fuggefted. 1037. The author must not omit to observe, that the above interesting piece of information has been kindly communicated to him by the gentlemen, fuperintend ing the office for difpofing of American lands, No. 24, Threadneedle ftreet. 1038. Mr. A. Dalrymple's plan, and the plans pursued by the gentlemen concerned in the African civilization, tend to improve uncivilized nations; but to improve ourselves in a form of affociation in some sequestered part of the world, and thereby to arrive at the fame end, appears to be of much greater importance. |