coast included between the Capes Mount and Montserado. This service she might, in my opinion, render the cause of humanity, without the least detriment to that to which she is specifically appointed.

I have already had the honour to represent to our government my views, in relation not only to the utility, but the absolute necessity of an efficient and well constructed work of defence, both for our security against the insults and aggressions of the natives, and to add respectability to the establishment, in the estimation of foreigners. Since those representations were communicated, we have unhappily been able to add the corroborative testimony of experience to their truth and importance. The native tribes, lured on by the hopes of getting possession of our stores, and observing nothing formidable in our means of defence, have attempted, by the utmost exertion of their power, our extermination; and a ship of war was actually sent by the acting commander of a large naval force, employed on this coast, to erect a foreign flag in the midst of our settlement, and transfer the jurisdiction of the Cape and neighbouring coast, and the allegiance of our people, to his own government! To such insults and injuries the establishment must always consider to be liable while destitute of the work in question. A just regard to the character of the nation imperiously demands, in my opinion, that the agency which it has seen fit to establish on this coast, for the most benevolent of purposes, should enjoy such a protection. I am happy, sir, to perceive that, on this subject, your views perfectly accord with my own; and was prepared on your arrival to ask for a part of the aid, which, in anticipation of any request on my part, you, sir, so promptly offered from your ship, for the erection of a permanent and powerful fortification. The labour and expense which the entire completion of this work will require, must necessarily be considerable-but its utility will be still greater; and I have that confidence in the wisdom and liberality of our government, that I would cheerfully share any pecuniary responsibility incurred in its erection, although without the authority of a specific order.

Vitally connected with the welfare of the settlement, is the preservation of the lives, and, as far as possible, the health, of the agents of Government. Nothing will contribute more essentially this desirable end than a comfortable habitation; several valuable lives have been unquestionably sacrificed for want of this convenience, and, in alluding to this subject, the recollection of an irreparable personal loss, powerfully intrudes itself upon my feelings. The accompanying circumstances were distressing: a female, of most delicate constitution, lying

under the influence of a mortal fever, in the corner of a miserable hut, (to ventilate which in a proper manner was impossible,) on a couch literally dripping with water, which a roof of thatch was unable to exclude; recovery under such circumstances was impossible: and the mortal struggle almost.. brought relief to the agonised feelings of surviving friendship.

A due regard to the preservation of my own life, and that of my successors, determined me to erect a comfortable house for the residence of the agents; but destitute both of suitable materials and of good mechanics, I could hardly have effected my purpose without the aid, in both these respects, which has been received from the Cyane. Against the important advantages of having a commodious house erected at this time in the settlement, no judicious person will weigh the expenses incurred by the purchase of lumber, and the subsistence and pay of the workmen. The house is nearly completed, in a most airy situation, and commands one of the finest prospects in Western Africa.

The propriety of soliciting the aid of workmen from on board the ship under your command, will, I hope, Sir, be obvious, when I inform you, that, of our small company of labourers, consisting only of thirty individuals, seven of the very best were either killed, or entirely disabled, in our conflicts with the natives, and that, the want of mechanical skill aside, the remainder are, to the present hour, obliged to mount guard every second night. Without help from the ship, we must either have left these works unattempted or unfinished, or have accomplished them in a most rude and unappropriate style.

The other improvements, to which the industry of a number of your crew has been directed, are scarcely less important; and altogether will afford us that security against external annoyance, and those domestic accommodations, during a rainy season of several months continuance, which we could not otherwise have hoped to enjoy.

To-R. T. SPENCE, Esq.

Commanding U. Ship Cyane, off Montserado.

Extract of a letter from Capt. R. T. Spence to J. Ashmun. U. S. Ship Cyane, Western Africa, Montserado, 1st April, 1823. SIR: Your communication of the 31st ult. I have had the honour to receive. Arriving on the coast of Africa after a long cruise in the West Indies, with my crew enfeebled by the heat of that climate, my own health in a precarious state, and that of some of my officers equally, I should have felt it my du

ty to return, after a short tarry, immediately to the United States, had it not been for circumstances the most unexpect ed. Informed of your destitute situation, occasioned by the disasters of a war brought on by difficulties growing out of the nature of your settlement; moved by a sympathy and commiseration which suffering ought always to excite; wholly regardless of all personal sacrifice, I assumed a responsibility the emergency doubtless will justify; and, in anticipation of your requisition, provided such a supply of necessary subsistence as will enable you to go through the approaching rains without fear of famine-thereby ensuring, I trust, your final

success.

The officers and crew of the Cyane have been engaged, day and night, in repairing, and getting in readiness for the service for which she will hereafter be applied, the schooner Augusta, found at Sierra Leone, deserted, and nearly destroyed.. I shall leave her on the coast when I go hence, in a condition not less good than when first launched, with exception of her copper, which, however, will be sufficient for several years to come; she is placed in charge of a careful officer, well provided, and suitably armed. I promise myself that much good will result from her continued presence, and trust that your own expectations will be fully realized, from her remaining in the vicinity of the Cape.

It gives me great pleasure to contribute to your personal comfort; not so much to your comfort in accommodation, as to rescuing you from a hovel, which a continuance in would almost forbid a hope of your recovery; and which, from the Surgeon's report, I am induced to believe would ensure your death during the ensuing rainy season.

The tower I have commenced, I trust will prove to you a "tower of strength;" the impression it is calculated to make, the security it cannot fail to afford, will produce a two-fold operation; and be of infinite importance in many respects, all of which are too obvious to require exposition.

Monrovia, June 18, 1823.

SIR: We arrived at Montserado on the 24th May, after a passage of thirty two days from Cape-Henry. I find the Colonists have all been employed by Captain Spence, since his arrival here, on a fortification, which was not completed when I arrived. A few days after I arrived, about one-sixth part of wall tumbled to its base, and the rest has given way in every direction. I believe it will be less work to build a new one, than to repair the old. Previous to the attack of the natives, our people had got gardens enclosed, and vegetables flourish

ing finely; and, had it not been for this event, and they could have had a small part of their labour to bestow on their lots, they would have been amply prepared to have maintained themselves; but, when the enemy came upon them, they were obliged to take up their garden fences to make a palisade of defence. Their gardens were all destroyed, and not so much as a hill of beans is growing in the colony. The rainy season has now fully commenced, and very little labour can be done until the next dry season, which will be in November.

This will make it necessary to continue the labourers at the public expense longer than I had contemplated in my former report, as I had expected a much more favourable state of affairs here.

One of the captured Africans was killed in the battle, and there is much jealousy of the natives against them, for fear of retaliation for their being sold.-I would therefore respectfully recommend to Government, not to send out any more captured Africans, until the requisite buildings can be erected, and a regular establishment made for them. Should it please God to restore my health and preserve my life, this will be accomplished in the dry season, and a regular system of management entered upon, when any number likely to be in the possession of Government could be managed. But, should I be called away by death, it would be highly dangerous, from the spirit which these have manifested, to multiply their number, without more efficient government being held over them than has been.

If it should please God to spare my life, I will endeavour to have the building erected early in the next season.

A fatality has attended every proceeding on this affair ; but, if I live, and am supported so I can stay here, I hope soon to alter matters, and set them on a better footing; but, should any of the common casualties happen the trading company formed in Baltimore, that they should fail to comply with their contract, and I find myself neglected by both Government and Society, out of provisions, clothing, &c. I shall leave the place, and the cause, in despair.

The U. S. schooner Augusta has undergone a partial repair, but so slightly that she was thought to be hardly seawor thy; But Mr. Dashiell, who was left in command of her, has ventured in her to Sierra Leone, to get some further repairs, to enable him to ride out the rains. He was in a very bad state of health. This system of repairing, out here, is very expensive, and is partially done, and poorly commanded and manned, as to be of no service to the colony. I beg leave to press, with the utmost urgency, as a security to the captured Africans, and the success of this cause, that Government keep here a vessel prudently commanded and well manned.

There is but one man who came out with me, but what is down with the fever. I was taken a week ago, and have not* been able to see them since; but they are all doing well. We have five deaths, most of them from foolish obstinacy. I hope the worst is over with me. I have got so I can sit up a few minutes. at a time, in which way this letter is written. I have the honour to be, your most obedient, The Hon. SMITH THOMPSON,

Secretary Navy U. S.

E. AYRES.

Extract of a letter from Captain Robert T. Spence to the Secretary of the Navy, dated

United States' Ship Cyane,

Quarantine Ground, New-York, June 27, 1823.

"After an absence of twelve months from the United States, in the West Indies and on the coast of Africa, I have the honour to announce my arrival at this anchorage; last from a cruise among the Windward Islands.

Up to the 24th March, on which day my latest communications were addressed to you from Sierra Leone, you have been made acquainted with my official proceedings. Under that date, I informed you of the precarious situation of the colony at Cape Montserado, and of my intention to take prompt and effectual steps for its rescue and preservation. The schooner Augusta having been speedily equipped and made ready for sea by the activity of my officers, and such supply of necessary articles as would relieve the immediate wants of the colonists taken on board, together with about forty Kroo men, (whose labour had been secured, free of any expense to the United States,) I proceeded without a moments delay to the settlement, examining with due care the intermediate coast.

On my anchoring, after a short passage, at Cape Montserado, I received from Mr. Ashmun, the resident agent, a letter (see p. 52,) which with other communications, hereto appended, disclose the indigent and distressed condition of the colony, and forcibly show that my arrival was not only most opportune, and my anticipation of their wants provident, but, in every respect, essential to their future safety and preservation. The presence of the ship at this critical juncture, appeared indeed providential: for, without the succour it was my good fortune to afford, every thing might have been ap. prehended. A renewal of war was in agitation among the

*The word not is left out in the original, and inserted here, as it is apparent it should have been in the original.

H