С НА Р. AQUAPIM. DANI S. H. 595. While the flave-trade was under a tedious and hitherto ineffectual investigation in the British Parliament, the Danish Government, convinced, by a much shorter enquiry, of it's impolicy and barbarity, determined that their part of it should be abolished in the year 1802: and, preparatory to this measure, they resolved forthwith to open their African ports to all nations, and to establish a colony in fome eligible part of that country*. 596. Dr. Isert may be regarded as the founder of this Danish colony +. He had accumulated a mass of information refpecting Africa, which appeared so interesting to the Danish ministry, that they sent him out to make obfervations on the country. Having made a very fatisfactory report, he was then empowered to look out for the most * See His Danish Majefty's Edict, of the 7th November, 1792. + It is worthy of remark, that medical men have contributed much to remove the prejudices which have so long obstructed the civilization of Africa, by the useful obfervations which their liberal education enabled them to make. Not that we can fuppofe the doctors of the flave-fhips to be generally men of liberal education. But it is certain, that feveral excellent furgeons and physicians, have visited the coast in this difagreeable fituation, and that others have gone there to increase their fund of natural knowledge.-Van Riebeck, a furgeon, founded the colony at the Cape of Good Hope, and Doctors Lind, Smeathman, Sparrman, Ifert, Trotter and Falconbridge have all recommended the establishment of colonies in Africa-Dr. Fothergill's extenfive information suggested to him the fame measure; though, I believe, he never vifited that part of the world. eligible Dr. Ifert founds this colony. XI. AQUAPIM. CHAP. eligible fituation for a colony, and even to make the experiment, if he judged it advisable or practicable. This was just the enterprize in which, above all others, the doctor wifhed to be employed. He intended to make his first attempt on a large and beautiful island in the river Volta. But, having been opposed by the natives, or rather by the influence of the white flave-traders, he was induced to look out for a more fecure fituation, among the mountains of Aquapim (which he had before vifited) 10 Danish miles (60 English) above Arca, about the fame distance from the western bank of the Volta, which is navigable to the latitude of the colony, and about 5 Danish miles from the river Pony, which is only navigable for canoes. Such a fituation cannot be fuppofed very convenient for commerce. But this disadvantage, if it be a difadvantage, is more than compenfated by the falubrity of the air; and the fertility of the foil appears, from the success with which cultivation, particularly that of Guinea corn, millet and cotton, has been already attended. It may be worth while to remark, that the Caboceer, or chief, at Aquapim, ceded as much territory as the colony at prefent occupies, or might hereafter occupy, for a monthly quit rent of 8 rix-dollars, or about 16s. fterling. Danish go vernment fupport it. 597. The Danish ministry, pursuant to their general plan of eradicating the slave-trade and introducing civilization, seem determined to fupport this establishment. Among other colonists whom they have sent out, and who continue very healthy at Aquapim, is a skilful farmer who has gone there to introduce the plough, and there is little doubt but he will fucceed. 598. Unfortunately, however, that kind of mercenary cultivation which prevails in the West Indian islands, has not CHA P. XI. AQUAPIM. with flaves. not been excluded from this eftablishment; for the Danish government has thought it advisable to permit a few flaves to be fent from Chriftiansburg to perform that hard labour which would injure the health of the unfeafoned Europe- Colony begun ans. But it is to be hoped they will be recalled to Chriftiansburg, when the colony fhall have furmounted the first difficulties; and, in 1802, the year fixed for the termination of the Danish flave-trade, their fyftem of flavery will probably undergo fome reform. It must indeed be allowed, that if focial and political evils are once tolerated, even in the smallest degree, there is danger that they may take so firm a root, as not to be easily eradicated, especially out of colonies very diftant from the feat of government. But perfons who, from contemplating the enormities of personal flavery, justly dread it's introduction, will remember, that many of it's evils are moderated by the vigilant fuperintendance of an arbitrary government; especially when administered fo ably and faithfully, as that of Denmark is acknowledged to be, at present, by the great and humane Count Bernsdorff*. 599. Dr. Ifert's indefatigable exertions having unfortunately terminated in his death, Lieut. Colonel Roer, who to great botanical knowledge, adds much experience in W. Indian cultivation, was appointed to fucceed him; but I know not whether he has yet arrived at Aquapim.-M. Biorn, the Governor General of the Danish settlments on the coast, * I hope I need not caution my readers against fuppofing that I mean to justify arbitrary power, which I abhor. I only ftate the fact, that flaves are more moderately treated by masters who are themselves restrained by arbitrary power, than by free mafters, whose bad paffions are not under fuch control. (See Hume's Effays.) Accordingly, Chaftellux, in his Travels in America, reckons the Spaniards and Portuguese the most humane masters, the Danes fomewhat more rigorous, the French more rigorous fill, and the English and Dutch the most rigorous of all. AQUAPIM. CHA P. who paffed through London, in August 1793, on his way XI. home from Africa, where he had refided above twenty years, affured me, that the colony was in as great forwardnefs as could be expected. He added that it was the more likely to fucceed, as the spot, which he had visited himself, is one of the most fertile in that part of Africa, that the native inhabitants are of the best dispositions, and, above all, that the country, at that distance inland, is much more falubrious than any part on or near the coaft, (see § 80.)— Dr. Ifert, in his letters to his father, published in 1788, fays the natives of Aquapim, where he afterwards fixed this colony, live in a state of social harmony, which infpired him with the idea of paradifaical happiness and simplicity; and that the foil yields them moft luxuriant crops, with very little labour*. * I expected to be enabled, by the letters of fome respectable correspondents, at Copenhagen, to give a fuller account of the Danish Colony at Aquapim; but the unaccountable and unprecedented detention of the mails from Hamburgh, 23 of which are now due, has deprived my work of the benefit of thofe communications. If they arrive, however, before the Appendix is printed off, I fhall certainly give them a place in it. While the foregoing imperfect sketch of the Danish colony was in the prefs, I was fortunate enough to difcover another fource of intelligence; having been informed that M. Moe and M. Hanson, two gentlemen of ability, fent by the Danish Government, to the Gold Coast, to investigate some affairs of national importance, had arrived at Dublin, and were shortly expected in London. Such additional information refpecting the Danish colony as they may think proper to communicate shall be inferted in the Appendix, if not printed off before they come to London. SUPPLE 600. Although the execution of the Swedish design of forming a Colony in Africa, has not hitherto been carried farther than the exploration of some part of that continent; yet, as I can take upon me to affirm, that it originated in the purest and most disinterested motives, and had for it's object the advancement of the happiness of mankind, some account of it seems to deserve a place, at least as a supplement, in a chapter, fet apart for brief hiftories of fimilar inftitutions. Norkioping, 601. Some members of a Society, formed for the pur- Meeting at pose of diffufing those principles, and that fpecies of in 1779. civilization, which appeared to them beft calculated to promote focial order and happiness, met at Norkioping, in Sweden, in the year 1779. 602. Among other matters which were confidered on that occafion, was an objection commonly made to emigration in general, namely, That as all reforms ought to originate in our own bofoms, fo colonies or affociations might be formed within Europe itself, where waste land and degenerate morals too much abound, and from which, as from the A a 2 heart |