SVIS es of the right wh i( h they had now at(IIIII'v d, the majority of the comic it (let( rmihed to abandon the ( nter prise as at present impracticable ; which determination was communicated to the colonists in the following reso lution : u That seeing that the rainy season has already commenced, and it appearing, from every information we can collect, that we cannot land because of the rains and fogs at least for four months, and that with every precau tion there will probably be a considerable mortality among the settlers during that time, and considering withal, that a great proportion of the adventurers in each ship are solicitous to return to Europe, it is the opinion of the council, that the two snips and tne sloop should be remov ed to Sierra Leone to water, and there the expediency of proceeding to England, or of returning hither after the rains, shall be taken into consideration." Against this resolution Captain Beaver entered his protest ; and de clared to the council, that he was determined to remain on the island, with his servant, though every one else should leave it : and in this determination he was joined by one of the council, and between 80 and 90 of the colonists. It was then agreed that the Hankey and Beggar's Benison should remain at Bulama, and that the Calypso should immediately proceed to Sierra Leone, with those who were desirous of returning to England. The settlers were thus reduced to a third of their original number, and when mustered by Captain Beaver, who was unanimously chosen their president, were found to consist of 48 men, 13 women, and 25 children. Having adopted proper re gulations for maintaining subordination, sobriety, and discipline in the colony, and having established a friendly communication between Bulama and the Portuguese set tlement on the island of Bissao, the first care of the colo nists was to protect themselves from the heat of the sun, and the violence of the rains, by covering the ship with a wooden roof. They then set about clearing and culti vating a piece of ground for a garden, and buiit a block house, which was to serve as a habitation, a general maga zine, and a citadel. Both tropical and European plants and seeds succeeded beyond their expectations ; and all ve getable productions arrived at maturity with astonishing quickness. Several free negroes had been hired to as sist in the work. They were well treated, and always allowed to leave the island, whenever dissatisfied either with their masters or their employment ; and during the residence of the English at Bulama, 196 of these Afri cans had been employed on the island. Many of the surrounding tribes also visited the colony, who always came with a view to trade, and brought with them some thing to dispose of. But is all their dealings with these negroes, the colonists obsevved the strictest integrity, never shewing the least desire of over-reaching them in the exchange of their commodiiies. By these means, and by rigorously adhering- to their dme•mination of never be ing- concerned in the purchase of slaves, they soon gained the good-will and confidence of the natives, without which they never could have kept possession of the island. Sickness and disaffection, however, had spread among the settlers, and their numbers were daily diminished by desertion or death. To such a state were they some times reduced, that there was scarcely an European lit for work, or to give directions to the negroes ; and out of the 86 which staid in the island after the sahling of the Ca lypso, within nine months ten only were left. These were at last reduced to nine, who became so dispirited and overcome with sickness, that the whole all'airs and bu siness of the colony rested with Captain Beaver himself.
'WhateN cr the energy and perseverance of one man could do was clone by this officer. Ile encouraged his coun trymen to exertion by his example ; supplied their wants, and soothed them in their sickness. Ile often cheered them with the hope of succours from England ; but all would not do. Fear and despondency had taken posses sion of their minds. 'F hey saw only certain death if they remained ; and after repeated solicitations to return home, and even threatenings to leave the island, Captain Beaver was at last prevailed upon to accede to their re quest, and quitted Bulama on the 29th of November 1793. Thus vanished the benevolent enterprise of the Bulama association, of whose success the most sanguine expectations had been formed, both by its promoters and their friends in England. But when we consider the difficulties of the undertaking-, and the character of those who were engaged in it, v, e are not surprised at its fai lure. The establishment of an infant colony requires resources, which few private associations are able to sup ply ; and a prudent unanimity, and determined courage and perseverance, in those who are entrusted with its execution, which are not often to be found. Prejudice and self-interest sometimes accompany the most distin guished talent ; and the public good is often forgotten when it comes in competition with private advantage. The Bulama expedition was deficient in both these re spects. Many of the colonists were men of the most infamous character, and vicious habits, who had neither industry, fortitude, nor honesty ; and many of the coun cil, indeed we may say all of them excepting Captain Beaver, were destitute of that perseverance and firmness of mind, necessary for enforcing subordination and obe dience ; and their desertion of the enterprise without a sufficient cause, cannot be too severely reprobated. The time for the sailing of the expedition was also very un fortunately chosen. They must have known that they could not have arrived at Bulama before the commence ment of the rains, which in that country is the most un healthy season of the year ; and which could not but prove most injurious to men accustomed to shelter and a temperate climate ; and it is to this circumstance, and to their want of every necessary to protect them against the inclemency of the season, unless what they procured by long and hard labour from the island, must, in a great measure, be attributed that mortality, which swept away such a number of the settlers. The want of timely sup plies, both of men and necessaries, must have been se verely felt ; and had Captain Beaver been seconded by the committee in England, as his exertions and perse verance deserved, this colony might have been preserv ed ; and those benevolent purposes for which it was established, might, to a considerable degree, have been accomplished. We hope, however, that this design is riot entirely relinquished ; but that the time will soon conic, when, supported by the bounty of government, which has been so liberally extended to the settlement at Sierra Leone, a colony shall be established at Bulama, which shall disseminate the blessing of civilization, liber ty, and religion, among the oppressed and benighted Af ricans. See Beaver's African Memoranda, passim ; Du rand's Voyage to Senegal, p. 66; Wadst•om's Essay on Colonization, p. 130; Golberry, Fragmens d'un Vouage en .Afrique, vol. ii. ; Labat, Relation de I'Afriquc Occi dent. (t..)