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170 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792


arrived on board the Amy, where I was determined to take up my quarters in preference to the Harpy, as I found that Captain Wilson and the Officers could not agree, I therefore wished to avoid joining any party, and as Falconbridge who was appointed Commercial Agent, and first in Council, whom I had known in England, was on board the Amy with his wife, I was convinced I should be more at ease on board this last vessel, enjoy greater quiet, and get better nursed, than I should on board the Harpy-I sent immediately for Captain Robinson of the Lepwing, and ordered him out to the assistance of the Lucretia, and to Pilot her in the next morning-

The conversation turned after supper to the form of Government, and I cannot say after everything I have heard that I was much pleased with the anticipation of filling my new situation-Seven of our Fleet had arrived at Sierra Leone, and in tolerable health, the Morning Star the only vessel missing-

March 8th This morning the gentlemen of the Council waited upon me, and the ships in the Harbour saluted me, afterwards all the Black Captains, very neatly dressed came on board, and expressed the general joy of themselves & comrades at my safe arrival with them at the Land of Promise which by the by from the river, exhibits a most rich and beautiful prospect

The respect and gratitude expressed in every look, affected me very sensibly, their decent dress, and their becoming behavior, was noticed by all who were present, for the most perfect peace and harmony reigned on board each Transport-After a little conversation with them relative to the particulars respecting each ship during the voyage, I was so exhausted that I was obliged to be carried to bed, where I was in violent hysterics for nearly two hours, I believe my debilitated state, with the joy that we had all arrived safe, after experiencing such bad weather, added to the grief I felt at the accounts given me of the death of some valuable men during the voyage, whose loss I had not heard of till this time occasioned my indisposition-The Captains of Transports also waited upon me, and returned me their thanks for the regular and orderly behavior of the Nova Scotian Blacks during the voyage, and the Black Captains in behalf of their brethren, expressed to me their gratitude for the kind behavior of the Captains of the vessels towards them-

In the evening arrived the Morning Star, the only vessel missing belonging to the Squadron, I was very uneasy about her, as I had fitted her up for a receiving ship for the pregnant women-found she had added three to her number since she had sailed from Halifax, and that all were in tolerable health- Parties from the different transports employed clearing away the wood to build the town which is to be called Free Town.

March 9th-People employed clearing the ground and discharging the Transports. It is grievous to me that my weak state of health prevents me taking such an active part as the present occasion requires-The

 

171 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792

Council appear not at all equal to the task, and are besides at variance with each other. Arrived the Felicity which I had sent to St Jago, to purchase stock, she could not obtain any for the colony, neither could we depend on any supply form that quarter-My attention is principally confined to the discharge of the Transports to prevent the expence of the demurrage-Yesterday Phillis Somerset, wife of E Somerset belonging to the Henry Beaverhoft's Company on board the Sierra Leone, was brought before me, charged with abusive language, and threatening to kill another woman-I desired a Jury to be formed form the Beaverhoft's Company to inquire into the matter and report to me their proceedings-

March 10th-Cloudy, though neither rain nor storm ensued, the fresh sea breezes render the heat very tolerable-Ordered the only house erected on Shore to be fitted up for Divine service tomorrow, Our people have regular morning and evening prayers, in their tents, and out of doors-The Jury upon P Somerset reported to me this morning that after a full investigation, they had found her guilty of the charge, and recommended her to be flogged, but as her conduct had been exemplary for the last two years, except in the present instance, they advised that she should be dealt with as I might think best for the preservation of the law, and for an example to others-I therefore admonished her, before the whole Company to whom she belonged & pointed out to her the bad consequence of giving way to passion, and how necessary it was for us who were about to form a new settlement, in a heathen country to be circumspect and watchful over our actions, that as her name was the only one reported to me, during the voyage, I did not like to record it by a severe punishment, and therefore I should forgive, in hopes that she would see her error and alter her conduct-I particularly requested the Captains of the Company to watch her, and report to me should they see any impropriety in her behavior-

March 11th Divine Service on the Shore of gentlemen, and as many of the Colony as cold attend were there, and it was truly gratifying to me to have the opportunity of thus returning my public thanks for our safe arrival-

The Rev Mr. Gilbert preached an excellent sermon from the following text 127 Psalm 1st verse. "Except the Lord build the house, the labour is but lost that build it"-The fatigue I feel from going on shore, generally occasions a fainting fit in the evening. Wrote an note to Mr. Elliot, King Naimvanna's Secretary, requesting him to endeavour to find out some Seamen belonging to the Harpy, who were on shore in a state of intoxication, and to send them on board, fearing they might go into the Native towns, and give offence to the inhabitants-

March 12th-The Settlers rather sickly on board the vessels with fevers & c-A Captain of one of the Transports died several days ago, and another is very ill-The progress made by the Nova Scotians in clearing the woods is very visible every day and the Company's officers are continually commending their industry and exemplary behavior. Mr. Pepys, the Surveyor appears much pleased with their conduct  He reported to me

172 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1971-1972

today with the highest encomiums, both upon their industry and sobriety, and as an instance of the latter he stated that a Company of Labourers, 70 or 80 men who had worked under him had drunk only three bottles of Rum per day diluted with water, though they had been left to help themselves. Dr. Bell one of the Council arrived from Bance Island, this is the first time I had ever saw him, and he was so drunk, as not to know who I was-A seaman from the Harpy was confined in the tent last night for quarreling with one of the Natives, but upon investigation he was released to the satisfaction of both parties and sent on board the Harpy-

March 13th-Before 10 o'clock A.M. or before the sea breeze sets in, very sultry but afterwards cool & cloudy-Wrote a short letter to Mr. Thorton, informing him of my arrival in Africa, but not having more than a very short notice, as the vessels lay to till I could finish my letters, I had no time to take a copy, sent also by this conveyance a letter I had prepared after I had spoken the Mary, belonging to Bristol, on the 4th inst, to be sent to her owners the first opportunity, giving them information of the safety and situation of the vessel on that day-Ever since I embarked on my present undertaking, my mind has been alive, to take advantage of every possible chance of rendering service to the cause I espouse, and altho' the vessel I spoke on the 4th inst, was employed in the Slave Trade, and some people may blame me for writing to inform the Owner of the safety of such a vessel, yet I conceived it my duty for the sake of the colonists, to be civil & courteous to all, as long as I did not compromise Principal, in the hopes, at least, that I should remove the prejudices of the Slave Traders against us, as they had it in their power to do us much injury in a variety of ways, and also to render us essential services, should they be inclined-

Dined on board the Harpy & heard the delirious ravings of Dr. Bell, who was confined to his bed with a fever, from the effects of drinking-he was very noisy till half and hour after nine, at 10 his servant passing through his Cabin found him dead-I was determined had be not died to have sent him to England-Before I left the Harpy it was hinted to me that it was the intention of the Council that he should be buried tomorrow with Military honours-

March 14th-This morning the members of the Council called upon me to say it was their wish that Dr. Bell's funeral should take place about noon, that the Company's ships should have their Colours half struck and that minute guns should be fired from the time the Corpse left the Harpy, to the end of the ceremony, and hoped I would oblige them by endeavouring to attend the funeral myself-I replied, that if I had not heard it from their own mouths I could not have believed it possible, that any set of men situated as they were, as the representatives of the Directors of the Sierra

 

173 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792

 

Leone Company, to form a Colony on virtuous principles could have made so extraordinary a request, for the person to whose memory these honours were designed had been almost constantly drunk, from the time he left England, to the day of his death, and although I had been in the Colony six days, he had never been in a state free from intoxication to know who I was-

I pointed out, in as strong, yet in as delicate language as I was able (perceiving that their minds were set upon it) the impropriety of their wishes, and begged them to consider the effect it would have upon the Nova Scotians, who had been taught by me to believe that they were about to form a settlement upon Christian principles, and the life this person had led having been in open contradiction to these principles, it would appear to them highly inconsistent, that any honours whatever should be shown to his remains; for these reasons I had made up my mind not to consent to it. Those of the Council who were most conspicuous in supporting their consequence, could not help shewing their disappointment-I urged many other forcible remarks in support of my opinion, but instead of producing the effect I wished it was hinted to me that I had the only casting vote in Council: thus decided the business and orders were given to prepare for the funeral, and every honour was shown accordingly-The affair being thus settled, and feeling that I had done my duty by the great opposition I had made to the measure, it struck me that as it was the act of the Government, and knowing the disappointment the Council would experience if I did not attend, I thought for the sake of preserving harmony, that it might probably be better, to give way a little and comply with their wishes, but I was so ill, as to be obliged to be carried up the hill at the watering place,and having proceeded in the procession but a very little way, I was quite exhausted and obliged to retire-On my return to the boat a person came on board to inform me that a man had lost his arm in firing the guns on board the Harpy-This completely overcame me, and on my arrival on board the Amy, I was seized with the most violent fainting fits and hysterics, which closed the mortifications of the day-

March 15th-The Thermr 79½ this morning in the shade, but no breeze stirring, the heat very oppressive-Thos Thomas the man whose arm was blown off yesterday, died this morning-Many of the Transports were cleared yesterday-The Council this morning opened Dr Bell's papers, and passed them about to each other in a very unbecoming way, I remonstrated upon the indelicacy of the thing, but without effect, for I found that he was suspected of having made private observations of the proceedings on board the Harpy, during the voyage, which were not the most creditable to either party and this was the occasion of the search-

 The gentlemen of the Council are far from satisfied with the observation I made yesterday respecting the funeral of Dr. Bell nor with my remarks this morning on the manner in which they opened and exposed his private papers-I tremble for the consequences of having such frivolous and in indiscreet Coadjutors-The Nova Scotians industriously employed clearing

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