hose who are susceptible of the impressions which the sublime works of the
creation never fail to inspire.

Upon entering the bay, the eye is attracted by an extensive river,
circumscribed by the foregoing outline, and exhibiting upon its banks an
assemblage of the productions of nature, vegetating in their native purity.
This view is animated by the prospect of the colony of Sierra Leone, and
the masts of vessels and craft which commerce, and a safe anchorage,
encourage to assemble before it, and by numerous natives paddling with
great dexterity in their canoes.

[Illustration: PALMA bearing S. by W. distant about 8 leagues from A
Published Aug 1 1807 by G & W Nicol]

As I shall have occasion to speak hereafter of the importance of this bay
in a commercial and agricultural point of view, I shall not at present
enter into farther details; but only suggest that I consider it as a
position from whence active enterprize may perform its operations
throughout an extensive district, and derive the most important advantages.

At two. P.M. came to an anchor before the fort and settlement of Bance
Island, which we saluted with seven guns. The river is navigable up to this
island for ships, and small craft proceed a number of miles higher, on the
branches of the Port Logo and Rochell. It is obscured from the view by the
island of Tasso, until bearing round a point of that island called Tasso
Point; the eye is then attracted by a regular fortification, and even an
elegant range of buildings and store-houses, which, with great propriety,
may be considered as one of the most desirable positions upon the windward
coast of Africa, to command the interior commerce of the countries
bordering upon the river Sierra Leone and its branches, and that of the
rivers to the northward, the Scarcies and adjoining rivers, the Rio Pongo,
with the Isles De Loss, Rio Grande, Rio Noonez, &c. and those which fall
into the sea from Cape Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas.

Tasso is an island adjoining, about a mile and a half distant, of some
extent, and a remarkably fertile soil. It is attached to Bance Island;
bearing cotton of a very good staple, and is capable of producing any
tropical production. Considerable labour and expense have been applied to
introduce cultivation into this island, and to exemplify to the African the
advantages derivable from his native soil, by the civil arts of life; while
under a still more scientific superintendency,