ABSTRACT OF A JOURNAL OF E. BACON, ASSISTANT AGENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO AFRICA: WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY IN ENGLAND, FOR THE YEARS 1819-20. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED AN ABSTRACT OF THE JOURNAL, OF THE REV. J. B. CATES, ONE OF THE MISSIONARIES FROM SIERRA LEONE TO GRAND BASSA; In an overland journey, performed in company with several natives, in the THE SLAVE TRADE. PHILADELPHIA : Published by S. Potter, & Co. No. 87, Chesnut Street. D. DICKINSON, PRINTER, CORNER OF DECATUR AND MARKET STREETS THE Public have been already informed of the strenuous exertions of the United States Government, in enacting numerous laws for the purpose of suppressing the Slave Trade; and of the successful vigilance of our naval officers, in detecting those desperadoes, the slave-traders, and bringing them to justice. The Public have also been informed of the benevolent operations of the American Colonization Society, in endeavouring to form a settlement on the western coast of Africa, composed of those free people of colour who choose to emigrate thither. It is moreover known that this settlement, if established, may prove an asylum for those Africans, who shall be re-captured by the United States cruizers, and sent to the coast. There is reason to hope that these acts of mercy will contribute to meliorate the sufferings of a large portion of the human race, by the final abolition of the Slave Trade, that Scourge of Africa and disgrace of the civilized world; by introducing the arts of civilization and the blessings of the Christian religion, among a race of beings who have hitherto lived in heathen darkness, destitute of the light of the Gospel, or knowledge of a Saviour, by teaching the children of Ethiopia to stretch forth her hands unto GOD. Having been employed as an assistant agent of the United States, along with J. B. Winn, Esquire, principal agent in transporting to the coast of Africa a number of re-captured Africans and free people of colour; the author has had an opportunity of witnessing the degraded state of that section of the earth, and feels it a duty he owes to the souls of his fellow creatures to lay before the Christian world a plain statement of facts in relation to the subject, which he doubts not will be interesting to all, and confidently trusts useful to many. It may be proper to mention, that Mr. Winn, and the author, were accompanied in the expedition by the Rev. J. R. Andrus, principal, and Mr. C. Wiltberger, assistant agents of the Colonization Society, together with Mrs. Winn and Mrs. Bacon, in the brig Nautilus, Captain Blair. N. B. The Author's return, was caused by ill health, from which he has recovered, and is desirous to return to that injured country and spend the remainder of his days for the benefit of its inhabitants. ABSTRACT, &c. WE left Norfolk on the 21st of January, 1821, and on the 23d, sailed from Hampton Roads. For about thirty days we encountered head winds and strong gales, and made slow progress. During this time I was very sea-sick, as were also Mrs. Bacon, and the Rev. Mr. Andrus. The other agents were less afflicted; some of the colonists suffered from the same malady. Our Captain was remarkably kind and attentive to those who were sick, and particularly to Mrs. Bacon and myself, when we were unable to wait upon ourselves, for which kindness I shall always feel myself under very many obligations to him; and I think I speak the sentiments of my colleagues. Nothing uncommon occurred during our voyage, except that we experienced a very severe gale of wind, accompanied with a snow storm, which our Captain told us was more violent than any he had known during the preceding twenty years. It was indeed a time to try our faith. Well did it become us with the Psalmist to exclaim: O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness; and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men! That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and tell out his works with gladness! They that go down to the sea in ships; and occupy their business in great waters; These men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For at His word, the stormy wind ariseth, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep; their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man; and are at their wits end. So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he delivereth them out of their distress. He maketh the storm to cease, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad, because they are at rest; and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men! That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people; and praise him in the seat of the elders! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. We established morning and evening prayers in the cabin, as well as in the steerage; where, at the commencement of the voyage the coloured people were; in these we enjoyed the consolations of the religion we profess. We had all recovered from sea-sickness, and having arrived within the Tropics, where the weather was fine and the wind favourable, our passage was more agreeable. Nothing uncommon occurred during the remainder of our voyage. But a continuation of the mercies of our heavenly Father were daily bestowed upon us. On the morning of the 8th of March, we had a distant view of the mountains of Sierra Leone, which was really animating to us after crossing the Atlantic. We felt ourselves approaching towards that much injured coun try, where we expected to labour, and to suffer many and great afflictions: We were cheered with the hope, that through the assistance of Divine grace, we should be in a greater or less degree, useful among the degraded children of Africa. The wind was fair but rather light, as is not uncommon in the dry, season, We soon hove in sight of Cape Sierra Leone, when we discovered for the first time, several native canoes approaching toward us. These excited our curiosity. They were manned by the native Kroomen, in a state of nudity or nearly so: when I speak of naked people, it may be always understood that they wear a cloth about their loins, and that the men generally wear hats. These hats are manufactured out of a kind of grass. The Chiefs and head men often wear common English hats. We soon discovered a fine English barge approaching us, rowed by natives. In this were the harbour master, George Macaulay and S. Easton, Esquires, (of the house of the honourable K, Macaulay) who very politely gave us much interesting information, relative to our American blacks at Sherbro. As we approached near the harbour they gave the American agents a friendly invitation to go on shore in the barge, and take lodgings at their house. As the principal Agent concluded to remain on board, Mrs. Bacon and myself thought proper not to slight their politeness, our accommodations in the brig being somewhat circumscribed, and the transition from Norfolk, where the cold was excessive, to Sierra Leone, where the degrees of heat were at noon day from 85 to 87 1-2 in the shade, making a visit to land desirable. Moreover the services of all the agents were not required to attend to the wants of the people. We accordingly went on shore, where we were very politely and hospitably entertained for several days. The Agents of the United States together with those of the Society soon had an interview with the Rev. Daniel Coker, by whom we learnt the condi |