Seven Years' Service on the Slave Coast of Western Africa (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1850. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 27 CHAPTER VIII. APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF THE SETTLEMENTS ON THE GAMBIA. CHANGE OF CLIMATE.--SPORTING AT SEA--ARRIVE AT BATHURST ON THE GAMBIA. PUBLIC WORKS AND FORTS.--FRENCH IDEA OF CAPTURING THE SETTLEMENT.--FALL OF THE MARKET HOUSE. POLITICAL RUBBISH SENT TO COLONIES--DINNER, LADIES AT A DISCOUNT.-- DISTURBANCE IN THE UPPER RIVER--GOVERNOR EMBARKS UNPLEASING SALUTE. MEET THE "SARACEN," BRIG OF WAR. HUMOURS OF THE RIVER VOYAGE. THE VESSEL AGROUND. CHOICE OF LOCALITIES FOR SETTLEMENTS. THE SICK COMING DOWN TO BATHURST.--ARRIVE AT MAC CARTHEY'S ISLAND.---THE COMMANDEH OF THE SETTLEMENT. INVITED TO THE WESLEYAN MISSION.--THEIR GREAT CONSUMING CAPABILI- TIES. TOWN, FORT, JAIL, AND TEMPERATURE. In the year 1840, it seemed that the appoint- ment of lieutenant governor of Her Majesty's settlements upon the Gambia, was at a discount, in consequence probably of the two preceding officers of that grade having died within a twelvemonth of each other, and the vacancy remaining open for a long time, the high distinction of representing the sovereign in that region of the world, was not of so popular a nature as generally it is elsewhere. The officer, whose journal is detailed in the following pages, had about that time returned from the command of a British ship of war, in which he had been cruising upon the coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade, and was one most unwholesome day in the winter walking up from a visit to the admiralty, where he had been vainly setting forth his professional services against the political services of other officers, who had been already preferred for promotion. As he proceeded he was met by captain C of the navy, an officer of great merit, under whom he had very satisfactorily served, when detached from the Cape of Good Hope to...