oast; but, as they became accustomed to our presence, and began to
entertain a feeling of confidence and protection in our friendship, this
diffidence gradually wore off. It cannot be doubted, that their island
has often been visited by vessels engaged in the slave-trade, as well as
by men-of-war. A circumstance occurred a few years ago, which proves
that they are not without hostile visitors; and which, in some measure,
justifies the suspicions with which they regard all strangers. In the
year 1820, or 1821, a Spanish vessel came over from the Camaroon river
to this island, accompanied by King Aqua, with a number of war canoes,
for the purpose of decoying the natives, or, in the event of failing in
their artifice, to adopt hostile measures, with the ultimate view of
seizing upon all they could capture, and selling them for slaves. They
accordingly landed well armed, but met with a stout resistance, which
proved, however, unavailing, the invaders succeeding in making about 150
prisoners, whom they carried off to the West Indies, and killing as many
more in the skirmish. It is supposed that King Aqua received very little
reward for his services on the occasion, or for the loss his subjects
sustained in the fight. This anecdote was related to me by Captain
Cumings, of the Kent, who was trading on the opposite coast for
palm-oil, at the time it occurred.

_Thursday, 22_.--The Horatio, schooner (Eden's tender), arrived this
afternoon with only her foremast standing, having lost her mainmast in a
tornado. Mr. Craig has just opened his general store, which, with
Captain Smith's, forms the second mercantile establishment in this
infant settlement.

_Friday, 23_.--Mr. Adamson, the assistant-surgeon of the Eden, who had
the charge of the hospital, as well as of the mechanics and labourers of
the settlement, and who had resided on shore for the purpose of giving
them his constant attendance, was sent on board the Eden to-day, in
consequence of an attack of fever, which lasted five days.

_Thursday, 29_.--The weather has continued unsettled; sometimes clear
and hot; sometimes cloudy and close; with alternate rain and cold. We
fired a royal salute to-day on Adelaide Island, in commemoration of the
Restoration.

_Friday, 30_.--One of the liberated Africans from the Voador, was
brought in this morning by one of our black masons, having been absent,
with three of his companions, ever since he was landed. We learned, that
he, and h