f his men, and to procure the necessaries of which the Colony
stood in need. Accordingly, making the requisite arrangements on the
establishment, and committing it entirely to the charge of Captain
Harrison, he got under weigh in the afternoon, when we made sail out of
Maidstone Bay, and stood for the opposite coast, with the Agnes'
long-boat in tow.

On looking back at this incipient colony, and reflecting upon the
probabilities of its future destiny, a few thoughts arise, which this
appears to be the proper place for inserting.

The formation of a new settlement amongst an uncivilized people must
always be an event of interest, whether we regard it in a political or
moral point of view, as extending the power of the parent nation, or
spreading the advantages of improvement in regions hitherto sunk in the
darkness of barbaric ignorance. The objects proposed by the British
Government in establishing a colony at Fernando Po appear to have been
three-fold, and not less connected with political than moral results.

First, to create facilities for promoting our commercial relations with
the districts of tropical Africa, in which many valuable necessaries and
costly luxuries are produced.

Second, to assist in carrying into effect the wise and benevolent
regulations adopted by our Government for the suppression of the
slave-trade, which has been so long the scourge and disgrace of our
fellow men in this portion of the globe.

Third, to increase the means of advancing the civilization of central
Africa.

The determination to endeavour to carry these leading objects into full
effect, is sufficiently evidenced in the perseverance with which our
Government has established the British name on the African Coast, in our
different settlements at Sierra Leone, Cape Coast Castle, and other
places. We have made as yet but slight progress towards the completion
of designs so comprehensive in their purpose, we must look for the
causes in impediments which time alone can conquer, and not in any lack
of zeal on the part of those who were appointed to execute the plans of
the Government. If firm resolution, meritorious conduct, and
indefatigable diligence could have mastered the difficulties which meet
the English residents on this insalubrious shore, the ends which it was
desirable to attain must have been speedily accomplished: but
unfortunately the laws of nature and the force of habit oppose us at the
very threshold of our procee