Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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The
Symptoms Are The Same, From The Commencement To The End Of The
Disease, And It Is Equally As Summary In Its Effects.
George's Bay,
is said to be far healthier than Clarence, and being on the western
side of the island, receives the full benefit of the sea breeze,
while at Clarence, the wind is later, and is interrupted by land to
the westward of it.
In addition to this, the sea breeze passes over a
long and disagreeable swamp in its progress to Clarence, which no
doubt charges it with all kinds of noxious vapours. George's Bay,
besides having the benefit of a pure sea breeze, has a good deal of
clear land about it, and equally as good a soil as Clarence.
It is more than probable, as the Landers had now ascertained, that a
water communication may be carried on with so extensive a part of the
interior of Africa, that a considerable trade will be opened with the
country through which they had passed. The natives only require to
know what is wanted from them, and to be shown what they will have in
return, and much produce that is now lost from neglect, will be
turned to a considerable account. The countries situated on the
banks of the Niger, will become frequented from all the adjacent
parts, and this magnificent stream will assume an appearance, it has
never yet displayed. The first effects of a trade being opened, will
be to do away with the monopoly near the mouth of the river, which
has hitherto been held by the chiefs of the lower countries. Steam
boats will penetrate up the river even as far as Lever, at the time
of year in which the Landers came down, and will defy the efforts of
these monopolists to arrest their progress. The steam engine, the
greatest invention of the human mind, will be a fit means of
conveying civilization amongst the uninformed Africans, who,
incapable of comprehending such a thing, will view its arrival
amongst them with astonishment and terror, and will gradually learn
to appreciate the benefits they will derive, and to hail its arrival
with joy. In this case, Fernando Po will become of still greater
consequence, and will no doubt be a depot of considerable importance.
It was, however, the opinion of Richard Lander, that much expense
would be saved, and above all, many valuable lives, if it were
possible to adopt George's Bay, as the place for the principal
establishment. Of the different parts of the coast, Accra is the most
healthy, and were it nearer, Lander would recommend it for such a
purpose, the soil being good and clear of underwood for many miles
round. But the distance at which it lies from the mouth of the river
is too great for such a purpose.
On the 23rd December, Mr. Becroft, the superintendent, invited
Richard Lander to accompany him in the Portia, to the Calebar River,
whither he was going to procure stock for the use of the colony.
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