Here she was examined, and found to have
sustained no damage, but owing to this unseasonable accident, as well
as the detention at Attah, and above all, to the deplorable loss of
life, which had ensued on board the vessels, the party had not in
their power to cultivate their mercantile speculations either to the
extent or so successfully as they wished, or as their friends
anticipated.
Still, however, when Mr. Lander left the Quorra, they might be said
to have only begun to trade with the natives, and as there was
unquestionably an abundance of ivory in the country, there was reason
to hope that the adventure would be yet as prosperous in this point
of view as its spirited and enterprising proprietors could
reasonably desire.
The great mortality which took place amongst the crews of the
vessels, was mainly attributed to the injudicious conduct of Captain
Harris, who, instead of pushing on direct for the Niger, spent a
great deal of time, as he coasted along, in examining inlets, &c.,
which exposed the crew to the fatal fever, which committed such
ravages amongst them. Captain Harris himself fell a victim to his
want of judgement, and Lander, Laird, Lieutenant Alien, and the
captain of the Alburkha, were the only persons in office, who
survived, and but fourteen whites besides were left alive.
