Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-21

1
frankness. The objections which had early
existed In the minds of all rcllecting persons in
the colony against the establishment of an A
merican settlement in the Sherbro, were freely
avowed and fairly stated. They were OBJ
Jections which would be felt equally by every
American sincerely disposed to the improve
ment of Africa. Thcywere-
L. That the location in the Sherbro' was in
conveniently near SD that it would clash with
the public benefits which would be conferred
on the adjacent Africans by the intercourse of
the colonists. The supplies OF the principal!
articles OF subsistence would be cut oil, and Il
general small trade already established would
be destroyed. An American settlement could
not be wanted IL do for Africa what was al
ready done by the colonists, much less to de-
range the rapid progress which would neces-
sariiy take place upon the foundation already
established.
These considerations had reference to this
colony, for which inc authorities in America,
and their agents, avowed the most friendly
interest and to the natives of Africa, whose
deliverance and Improvement would he the
chief objects of the American settlement,
as they are already the chief objects of this.
The other considerations are particularly
applicable TO the American side ofthe question.
9. The location of the American settlement
In the SherbrO' was already asccrtained to
be unadvisable on grounds particular TO the
Americans it was asccrtancd by their own
experience, that no large ships could approach
nearer than distance of thirty or forty miles
10 any spot where it would be expcdient to
settle for their general and permanent pur-
poses OF lmprovement-the cultivation of the
soil and other pursuits of simple Industry
The settlers OF last season had been swept
away by unsparing yisitations Of disease
occasioncd by bad air and bad water and
Tor these evils the swampy nature ofthe coun-
try afforded no remedy. The coloured agent.
upon whose fidelity and services the greatest
reliance had been placed, was proved not 10
he trustworthy, and the native chiefs were
known TO be unfavcraby disposed by the
treachcrous influence of this very agent, and
to be disinclincd to fulfil their engagements
respecting the lands purchased from them
5. AT moderate distance from this colony,
the settlements could not clash enc with the
other, either in the range of their beneficial
eXcrtions for the civilization and for The rcliyi-
Gus improvement of the African nations ada
cent To them, or in the Industrious and COM
mendab!e pursuits of tie co!onists for the
advancement OF their private interests.
4. The season was so far advanced, that
sufficient time was not left to clear ground
and to erect weather proof habitations before
the inset OF the tornadoes and the subsequent
speedy arrival of the heavy rains.
Upon all these grounds, or nearly these,
colncidlnS with the representations already
sent forth through this Gazette, for general
consideration in the Colony, in America and
IN England; coinciding also with the senti-
ments freely declared to the commanders and
officers OF the American ships of war that
visited the colony, who appeared TO feel the
q e.. 81. =. 4
as for ours, the American agents were satisfied
that it would not be expedent TO place their
intended settlement in the Sherbro': tl.ey re-
solved, therefore, to send their colonial schoon-
cr, with select party, down the coast towards
Cape Mount and Cape Mesururdo, TO make
choice OF new and more eligible station for
their establishment.
PercelvIng that the year was too far ad-
vanccd 10 admit the clearing of ground. and
the erection of houses in any newly acquired
settlement before the inset of the rains, they
requested to know ifthey could be accommo.
dated, upon terms which may afterwards be
adjusted, with the portion of land within thi.
colony which might be necessary for purpose.
oil residence and cultivation in the interval
prior to the choice of place, and Of the
apPfoach oil the time for proceeding to In,
formation Of their settlements.
To this requisition satisfactory auswe,
was given and His Honor the acting Go
vernon, IN pursuance of the disposition, i,
winch all the members of the council concur.
red with him, TO give the best accommodation
winch the colony could afford, visited severa
places apparently the most eligible; but some
groundoi objection arising from Inconvenience
OF water or lowness Of situation, or som,
other cause, prevented, for time, the choic,
of any.
at length 1t was proposed to the gentlemen
having charge of the house and lands III th,
late Assistant Commissary General lie Feyre
at Foura Bay, to let those Houses and lands
tor inc year. An arrangement was in conse
qnence made, IN virtue of which the American
agents are now in possession OF that place upor
an equitable rent. Their colOnists are wei
houseu, ana tfcy have ample measure of lane
clear and ready for cultivation.
1t was exceedingly fortunate fhatthe Amer
can agents, and their settlers, were thus mn
mediately provided with substantial habitations
Inc heavy tornadOcs already experienced
could not fnNe been encountered with safety
I'D q state 81 inadequate preparation.
we nave further TO mention, that an No
Picauon nom these gentlemen for permission
To- land their provisions and stores free @
duties and to dispose of such part Of then
as 1t may bc necessary TO sell for PURPOSES o
current use and exigency, was freely ant
cordially assentedto. eprincipal merchants
whose opinions the Governor and Council
Thought II right to ask, as their interests wer,
principally concerned, expressed ther univer
sal consent in the most liberal manner declar
ing that they did not see any thing detrimental
TO Their interests in what was required: but il
it even had been thing attended with som,
Inconvenience, they would gladly overlook
That Inconvenience in their desire 70 accom-
MEDIATE tue American gentlemen, and to pro
mote and facilitate their objects
The American agents, in consequence Of al