XI. BULAMA. We should have laboured with that cheerfulness which the alluring profpect of the C H A P. land is calculated to infpire. But few enterprizes fucceed in all their extent, and though ours has failed in part, we have abundant reason to think, that if the colony be fea. fonably fupported, there will be fecured to it a rapid and permanent establishment." From Meffrs. Beaver, Munden, Aberdein, and Reynolds, to the Trustees, dated Bulama, 7th August, 1792. "WE have now to enter on a fubject of great importance to all concerned. Having learned that there might be a poffibility of purchasing the opposite island belonging to the kings of Ghinala, (a diftrict of the Biafara country,) who were formerly the fovereigns of Bulama, but driven from it by their more warlike neighbours the Canabacs, it was thought adviseable that Mr. Beaver should proceed with the floop up the Rio Grande, to negociate the bufinefs, which he accomplished in à manner far beyond our most fanguine expectations. The original Treaty, No. IV. accompanies this (§ 543); and we beg to refer you to the following copy of his letter from Ghinala, for a further explanation. • Gentlemen, FINDING the fhore, called the Greater Bulama, not an island, it was my intention to return without purchasing it*: but, at my first interview with the two kings of this country, they claimed Bulama, having, as they faid, inherited it from their ancestors. As I know there is fome juftice in their claim, I thought it abfolutely neceffary to ftop and fatisfy them, and I expect them on board every minute, to talk the palaver. • Now conceiving it to be a favourable opportunity, when purchasing Bulama, to purchase also the adjacent fhore, which I think may be done for very little more value, I fhall endeavour to buy all the uninhabited land which lies between them and us; that is, all the territory fouth of a line drawn from this place to Goly, which territory you will fee is bounded to the E. by Ghinala creek, to the S. by the Rio Grande, and to the W. by a branch of the fea, which feparates it from Biflao*. The fides, bounded by Ghinala Creek and the Rio Grande, are elevated and cleared in many places, forming a chain of fine bays and creeks, with deep water, through their whole extent. Should our colony flourish, which I have no reafon to doubt, this will be found an invaluable acquifition, as there is no one part of its banks where a town may not be built, with every advantage for commerce. I hope to leave this place in two days, and to bring with me refreshments for the fick. Ghinala, 2d Aug. 1792. I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble fervant, To the Gentlemen of the Committe, on board the Hankey, Bulama. * See the large Map. U "We СНА Р. BULAMA. "We congratulate you, Gentlemen, and all concerned, on the poffeffion of a country equally fertile, and much larger than Bulama, together with the ceffion of that ifland from the Biafaras, as well as the Canabacs, the only nation that could claim it, for a fum not exceeding 351. fterling.-The rains have not yet proved fo terrible, as we were taught to believe; and our fick lift has been owing rather to the imprudence of individuals, than to the climate. Every opportunity has been embraced of procuring fresh provisions, of which the colony flood much in need; for, though the island abounds with buffaloes and deer, we are too few, and too bufy, (in planting and building) to fend parties to kill them, and Mr. Beaver will fail for Biffao to-morrow, to contract with Mr. Cordoza, for a regular fupply. "P. S. We conceive that, (if neceffary,) a large fum may be raised by the newly purchased land, but we wish it may not be fold under forty shillings an acre.” Extract of a Letter from Mr. George Fielder, to Colonel Kirkpatrick. "THE island is well wooded and watered round the coafts, and the inland parts entirely clear, except the fmall divifions of trees, which form the exact appearance of fields, and their fences in England. It abounds with buffaloes, elephants, deer, Guinea fowls, pigeons, &c. and, on the whole, feveral gentlemen, well acquainted with the West-Indies, judge it fuperior to any of the Weft-India islands. I have enjoyed uninterrupted health fince I left England. "I have the honour to be, &c. "GEORGE FIELDER.” Extract of another Letter of Mr. Fielder's, dated S.E. End of Bulama, July 3d, 1792. "SOME of us furveyed part of the island, which we found covered with wood all round, and for about two miles inward ; but within the woods is open land, covered with high grafs, and divided into small fields by narrow ridges of high trees, like hedges in England. The foil is a rich black mould, several feet deep, and capable of producing any thing; the woods abound with Guinea fowls, doves, and other fmall birds; alfo with elephants, and the Afiatic buffalo; and are interspersed with fmall fprings of fine water; in short, Mr. Aberdein, who has lived in the Eaft and Weft Indies, fays it is the finest island he ever saw, and that it is fuperior in foil and water to any of the Weft India islands. "I have lived principally on the fruits, of which there are abundance of a very fine flavour, have worked hard, and never was better in my life.-My conftitution perfectly agrees with the climate, having undergone as much fatigue as any; and though the rainy season has set in these three weeks, I am yet as well as ever I was in England and my hopes are fanguine of our fuccefs, from the excellence of the foil and water; there being feveral thousand acres perfectly clear, and partly cul. CHA P. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Francis Donnelly, to James Mangles, Efquire, dated "MANY of the Subfcribers return to Europe to dispatch more fhips, and to obtain a charter.-Some of the interior part of the ifland is a clear and beautiful pafturage, where there has been millet, and other grain cultivated, about two thoufand acres in one spot, and many more Savannahs, equally good; supposed 40,000 acres of excellent clear land. The appearance of the island is really beautiful beyond defcription, with woods of valuable timber, plants, and fruits of different forts; wild yams, and cafada in abundance: little difficulty will be found in clearing the wood lands. It is worthy remark, that no brambles, &c. annoy us in going through the woods; the land could be ploughed with facility, there not being any flones. In fhort, every appearance inspires the hope of our being able (by proper exertions) to establish an advantageous fettlement here. We hope most sincerely, that the strictest attention may be paid to the character and abilities of the tradefmen and labourers next fent out; we find that the lands can be cultivated with ease and fafety by European labourers. Our provifions come on apace. It is expected the rains will continue till September.-The climate is pleasant, not intensely hot any time of the day; the morning and evening I think as moderate as the climate of England. My health is perfectly re-established; and the voyage and the climate agree very well with my conftitution." BULAMA An Abridgment of the Report, which the Trustees of the Bu lama Affociation intend to lay before the next General Meeting of the Subfcribers, and with a M. S. Copy of which I have been favoured. 551. The Trustees of the Bulama Affociation, pursuant to the directions of the General Meeting at the Mansion-house, June 25th, 1794, proceed to lay before the members, the tranfactions U 2 XI. CHA P. tranfactions at Bulama, as stated by Mr. Philip Beaver in his letters, and fince confirmed by him in person *. BULAMA, leaves Mr. Beaver with 552. From the 2d Aug. 1792, to which the first report The Hankey brings down the proceedings at Bulama, nothing material occurred there, till the 22d Nov. following, when the ship Hankey failed from thence, leaving Mr. Beaver as chief of the colony, with about 20 men (including the crew of the floop Beggar's Bennison) 4 women and 4 children. enly 20 men. tate an attack. 553. Immediately on the Hankey's departure, it was reBijugas medi- ported, that the Bijugas meditated an attack. As the rumour was not without foundation, we cannot wonder at it's cafting a damp on the fpirits of the colonists; but it is mortifying to add, that even the heroic example of Mr. Beaver, was ineffectual in recovering them from this panic. "BULAMA ASSOCIATION, "At a general meeting of the fubfcribers to this Affociation, convened by pub. lic advertisement, at the Manfion-houfe, London, the 25th June, 1794, The Right Honourable Paul Le Mefurier, Efq. M. P. Lord Mayor, in the Chair. "That the thanks of this Meeting be given to Philip Beaver, Efq. Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, late chief of the fettlement on the island of Bulama, for the ability, zeal, activity, and perfeverance, with which, under many difficulties, be conducted the affairs of that fettlement, and for his conftant attention to the interefts. of the Affociation; and to affure Mr. Beaver that the members of this Association will ever hold his fervices in grateful remembrance." "That a gold medal be presented to Mr. Beaver, expreffive of the sense entertained by the Affociation, of his very meritorious fervices." "That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. John Hood, for the spirit and refolution with which he supported Mr. Beaver, during the whole of his stay at Bulama, and that he be affured the Association will ever gratefully remember his services.” "That these resolutions be fairly transcribed, figned by the Chairman, and respectively delivered to Mr. Beaver and Mr. Hood, and that they be published in fome of the daily papers." A true Extract from the Minutes. 1. K. MALLESON, Secretary. 554. Mr. XI. BULAMA. Block-houfe, &c. erected. 554. Mr. Beaver's first object was to give security to the CHA P. people, by compleating the block-house, begun before the Hankey failed. The ftrong hold formed a quadrangle of 116 feet by 115, and contained two store-houses 53 feet by 14 each, a governor's house, and small houses fufficient for a confiderable number of people. Mr. Beaver, with the help of two, and sometimes three, colonists, compleated the logging, by the 28th Nov. There were four gates into the quadrangle, one on each fide, fecured by Tambours; and as the logging, though mufquet proof, was but 6 feet high, Mr. Beaver began to board the upper 6 feet of the outer wall, which, with the fame affistance, he finished on the 21st Dec. (See plate IV.) 555. At this time, a general despondency prevailed, and fuch was the fickness, that, on the 30th Nov. every man except Mr. Beaver, and every woman and child, was ill. (See § 84, 86, 91.) From the 1ft Dec. to the 21ft, there died 9 men, 3 women, and I child, being nearly half of the colony. 556. To add to this calamity, Bellchore, one of the kings of Canabac, remarkable for his exploits and his treachery, having heard of the departure of the Hankey, loft no time in vifiting the colony. On the morning of the 5th Dec. he was feen coming round the point, with two canoes. Mr. Beaver immediately beat to arms, faluted him, and loaded the great guns with grape-fhot. By this time, Bellchore had landed, and marched up in battle array, at the head of 32 well appointed men, to within 40 yards of the east gate, where he halted. Mr. Beaver's whole force then consisted of only 4 colonists, whom he could not call well, and 7 grumettas. Having placed two centinels at each gate, with orders to kill the first man who should attempt to enter by force, Mr. Beaver went out to meet Bellchore, who knew General defpondency and fickness. Sufpicious vi nabacs. fit of the Ca and |