Memoirs of Granville Sharp, esq.

Front matter

OF

GRANVILLE SHARP. ESQ

AND OTHER

Preface

About the time that a Monument to Mr. Granville Sharp's memory was erected in Westminster Abbey by the African Institution, it was understood to be the intention of that body to publish an account of the services which he had rendered to the cause of African freedom. This intention being communicated to Mr.

Sharp's family, they were desirous of enlarging the proposal so far as to include a memorial of his whole life ; and the plan being determined, the task of performing it was assigned to an intimate friend, whose abilities and professional character rendered him eminently suited to the undertaking. The pressure of other occupations induced him after a time to relinquish it ; and I received a request from the Executrix that r would take the charge on myself. Obligations of gratitude to the Family precluded refusal on my part; and my high respect for the Person whose life was to be the subject of the Memoirs, made me accede

Xll PREFACE.

cheerfully to the proposal : but in giving my consent, I did not form an adequate idea of the task in which I was about to engage. The most voluminous and dift'use documents were consigned to my care, from which I had to extract whatever might be thought useful to the public, and (what was far more difficult) in which I was to discover and trace a connected thread of Mr. Sharp's progressive actions through his long and important life.

That such a task would be tedious, it was easy to anticipate. But it has been further protracted by causes which could not be foreseen, — by the suffering of repeated illness since the period when I first printed my Prospectus^ — of illness aggravated not unfrequently by an apprehension that, as the real cause of the delay could be known only to a few, I might suffer no slight imputation of neglect in the performance of what I had undertaken.

I have, however, persevered at every interval of amendment ; and have reason to hope, that I have finally omitted nothing that materially affects the exemplary man whose history is to be told. At the same time, conscious that contemporary biography loses something of its value by each year of delay, I

PREFACE. XUI have endeavoured occasionally to compress the individual, and enlarge the general vateve^t of the Narrative, so as in some measure to compensate the time that has elapsed. I have also prefixed anecdotes of Mr. Sharp's immediate predecessors, w^hich, from the eminent station of one of them, and the exemplary beneficence of all, may be thought to add value to my w^ork.

As Mr. Granville Sharp's Memoirs are of a very complicated kind, it is necessary that I should say a few vv^ords of the method which I have pursued in the arrangement of them.

And first, that I might render a distinct account of the benefits which he conferred on his age, I have thought it expedient, in consideration of the variety of his actions, to attend rather to the chronology of each action separately, than to that of his whole life collectively. A man busied with one object or in one pursuit alone, may be followed chronologically, through the whole of his action, with advantage ; but when the objects and avocations are numerous, as in the instance of Mr. Sharp, it would be merely to perplex the reader's attention to adhere to that mode of proceeding, and to shift him at every instant, like Ariosto's readers, from one subject to another. I have therefore^

XIV PREFACE.

continued to trace each of his actions through its progress to its final term ; and, of course, the beginning of every new subject is of an earlier date than the conclusion of the preceding one. With this ruling view I have united as much general regularity of dates, as the nature of such a method would allow.

But of a life so extensively varied, it is nearly impossible to collect all the particulars : many circumstances, which became immediate springs of action to a mind promptly excited to beneficence, were probably known solely to himself, or their detail has perished with those who are gone before us. Whatever documents, however, were left by him, regarding topics of interest, are here preserved, even although the knowledge of some of the facts to which they relate may still remain imperfect. At the same time, some particulars which I have preserved may be thought too minute for general interest; but it is only by a detail of the many minute acts of goodness to which he directed his attention, that his character can be fully shown : and jierhaps some degree even of tediousness ill the narrative was necessary, in order to establish it completely.

In reading the lives of men who have been renowned

PREFACE. XV in distant times and countries, our principal object is to learn the actions which they performed : in those of our own countrymen, and in our own time, our curiosity is raised to learn the manner^ rather than the history, of their proceedings. We are ail of us more or less acquainted with what they have done, and our desire is to learn by what means they have done it.

In the present instance, I have endeavoured to exhibit the character in this respect, by adverting principally to his own Notes and Letters. It has been less my endeavour to be the relater of his life, than to make him speak for himself; to show him in his own Memoranda, — which I have therefore kept as distinct as possible, sometimes at the risk of appearing abrupt.

Conceiving, as I do, that Mr. Sharp was one of those men whose name is likely to go down to late posterity, I have united with his private actions as much of the general history of the concerns in which he took part, as may render his Memoirs not wholly an unimportant document to the historian of events.

His life may be divided under four principal heads.

1. The Liberation of African Slaves in England.

2. The Colonization of Sierra Leone.

S, The Establishment of Episcopac}^ in America.

A. The Abolition of the Slave Trade.

XVI PREFACE.

To these may be added, his attempt to reconcile the British Colonies with England, at the commencement of the American troubles. — Were there no other records, these will probably be thought sufficient to give importance to his Memoirs ; yet they form a part only of the promiscuous range of action to which his benevolence gave birth.

'* If a good man were a great one," said a friend to me, whose talents the public has justly appreciated, *' you have an excellent subject for a Memoir." As this sentiment seemed to place goodness in the second degree of rank, I was surprised at hearing it from one who has proved himself capable of feeling and expressing many of the finer emotions of the heart.

With due deference to talents of every kind, I conceive the highest object of literary composition to be moral utility; and I consider the pretensions to fame of every writer, nay, the very name even of a poet himself, to be forfeited, when that great end of literature is abandoned or perverted. Dangerous examples may arise, which have a tendency to impress a contrary belief. They have arisen in the present day, to the regret of every friend to genius, in works which, but for their deficiency in this important point, are entitled to strong claims on our admiration. But, dangerous

PREFACE. XVll

as such examples are to the real interests of literature, it is consoling to think that they cannot ultimately be fatal, because, as far as their influence on other writers extends, the consequences must appear, on reflection, prejudicial to that which every writer values in a very high degree,— the stability of his reputation.

A desire to promote the interests of virtue will be found to be not the measure of the honesty only of the literary man, but to include also that of his understanding and fame. A full sense of the loveliness and pre-excellence of virtue, is indispensable in the character of those who lay claim to the highest human capacity. Virtue is the truth of moral relations.

That which all agree to call by the name of virtue, is that which the consenting acknowledgment of all men in all ages has demonstrated to be most right, because most useful; and whatever deviation either our passions or our interests may seem to justify in our own sight, he who mistakes deviation for rectitude will fairly be suspected of unsound faculties.

The writer, or poet, therefore, who deserts his moral obligations to his fellow-creatures, by failing to impress images of excellence on the mind, does not write for immortality. The course of time affords examples of

XVlll PREFACE.

the sta)3le permanence of fame in those writers only, in whose works a sense of religion and virtue holds a conspicuous station. Homer, Pindar, Plato, Virgil, Horace, Cicero, and as many more as are eminent on record, are instances of this truth. The first of those here named, ranking the highest in fame, has, it is true, been sometimes considered chiefly as the dramatist, the natural representer of human passions ; and his eminence attributed to this cause. But, besides the exalted lenour of innumerable virtuous sentiments dispersed through the Iliad, that work is distinguished above most others by its frequent reference of all that is passing, in its greatest events, to the deities who preside over human actions. I do not speak of the good sense, or the absurdity, of those supposed deities : they were the religion of Homer's time • and the submission of all human actions to their influence (absurdly called machinery), is one great source of the dignity of Homer's work.

The case is, in this respect, the same with those far sublimer Writings, which we Christians venerate.

Exclusively of the reference of the Old Testament to the later events of Christianity, the history in itself impresses us with awe, inasmuch as it is the history

PREFACE. XIX

of a guiding Providence over the progress of a favoured nation. It is, in fact, a history of the dispensations of Providence ; and it is this never-ceasing reference to a superintending Divinity, kept constantly in vievr, which gives it a dignity and an authority surpassing all other histories in the world.

Indeed, considering the immensely powerful effect produced on the reader, or hearer, by this circumstance, it appears surprising, that the mode (if I may use that term) of the sacred narration has been so rarely imitated. Among the ancients, as I before observed.

Homer, as an epic poet, has made the greatest similar attempt. Our own Milton has followed the same path ; to which he was led by the nature of his subject. Among modern historians, I find one instance only of daring to look up to so high an example, in the admirable Moral Survey of English History by Mr. Sharon Turner, — a work secure of increasing estimation.

With similar observation, — with unerring reference to the Author and Guide of all, — the subject of these Memoirs traced, in thought, in discourse, and in writing, the events of every day.

Having mentioned the criticism of one friend on my undertaking, I may be allowed to state the high

XX PREFACE.

approbation of another, who commended it, " because" (to use also his own words) " it is desirable to raise to public distinction those whose private character has contributed to influence the happiness of mankind."

T feel a pleasure in stating, that this gratifying encouragement came from the lips of Mr. Wilberforce.

If I shall not be found to have efiiected this desirable point, I have at least shown my own desire to that purpose, and shall, I trust, have contributed to the gratification of many of my readers by so doing : for, although the Memoirs of Granville Sharp do not furnish the history of a hero, in the ordinary acceptation of that name, I am persuaded, by my own feelings, that there are few who will not find him to have been one, and who would not exult in possessing, among the members of their family, such a relative as Granville appears in his public and private virtues.

Of the anxiety with wliich these Memoirs have been collected, it does not become me to speak. I am conscious that circumstances of that nature are of no concern to the Public, except so far as, in the present case, they have contributed, I trust, to an unimpeachable veracity in the recital of Mr. Sharp's history.

My apprehensions and my diligence have never ceased

PREFACE. XXI to increase with the increasing view of the responsibility which I had drawn on myself, and the nature of the character which I was to display. One part of my task was foreign to the general tenour of my studies; and that part has been supplied by the distinguished Prelate who, from a zealous regard for his departed friend, has condescended to become my coadjutor in the present work.

Besides his valuable support, I have acknowledgments to make to many other of Mr, Sharp's friends, for the ready and obliging assistance which I have received from them : particularly to the Rev. Mr. y Owen, for much useful information ; — to Zachary^ Macaulay, Esq., for his great attention in supervising the historical narrative of the colony of Sierra Leone ; — to Thomas Clarkson, Esq., for the most cordial interest in my inquiries on several occasions; — to Stephen Catley, Esq., Chairman of the Protestant Association; Thomas Harrison, Esq., Secretary to the African Institution ; William Wilberforce, Esq. ; the Rev. John Button; Granville H.Wheeler, Esq.; the Rev. John R.

Williams ; Sir Watkin Lewes ; William L. Newman, Esq., City Solicitor ; Mr. Chamberlain Clarke ; John Poynder, Esq. ; Mr. Deputy Box ; Robert H. Inglis,

XXU PREFACE.

Esq. ; William Tooke, Esq. ; the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, — for various communications.

I am likewise indebted to his Excellency Richard Rush, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United Stales of America; Archibald Impey, Esq. ; Charles Few, Esq. ; and other friends, for attentions by which they have had it in their power to advantage my work.

In the obituary tributes which were paid to Mr.

Sharp's memory in several respectable publications, I observed, together with a general desire for a just biographical detail, the expression also of a wish, that, in the performance of such a task, the writer (whoever he might be) should draw a veil over some peculiarities of Mr. Sharp's character.

This sentiment entirely coincided with my own feelings at my commencement of the Memoirs ; but in the further contemplation of the life and conduct of the Subject of them, I felt his character to be of that high and dignified nature, to leave no necessity for such a precaution, but sufficient to bear him safely above the little cavils which may be levelled at any excess of benevolent zeal. I own I see nothing to veil ;

PREFACE. XXlll

and if I am wrong, it is an error of my deliberate judgment. He was himself without disguise, " walking always before God," — the delight of his family, and the benefactor of his race.

If circumstances or opinions appear at times tinged with no slight degree of human weakness, they are no just cause of alarm to his biographer. The sensibilities of the heart have no tendency to lower the standard of a virtuous character, more especially when those sensibilities are excited by the fervent impulses of religious faith.

I have, therefore, endeavoured boldly to delineate him, such as he stood in the face of man, and have merely abridged^ of his own records, what I thought might be deemed tedious in the recital.

Of the memoirs of good men, it may be said, as of their tombs, that " as honours are paid to the dead in order to incite others to the imitation of their excellence, their principal intention is to perpetuate the examples of virtue, that the history of a good man may supply the want of his presence, and veneration for his memory produce the same effect as the observation of his life*."

* Dr. Johnson's Essay on Epitaphs.

XXIV PREFACE.

It only remains to notice a circumstance which might otherwise appear to be an oversight. Besides the numerous letters selected from Mr. Sharp's correspondence, and inserted in the course of the Narrative, the reader will find a reference to some few others which do not appear with it. They were at first designed for insertion with the Appendix ; but it having since been judged desirable by Mr. Sharp's friends that the whole of his correspondence should be collected together, to form the materials of a future publication, they have been relinquished for that purpose.

The present Memoirs, being ready for publicatiou, have been directed to be delivered to the Subscribers, without further delay.

Introduction

Page

View of Mr. Sharp's course of action 4

His family 8

Anecdotes of Archbishop Sliarp 9

Dr. Thomas Sliarp, Archdeacon of Northnm-

berland 14

Dr. John Sharp IG

Page Establishment of BamburghCastle,in Northumberland 16

Thomas, William, and James Sharp 19

Comparison of the characters of William and

Granville -». 20

View of Granville's character and principles. . 23

Part I

HIS EDUCATION — SITUATION IN EARLY LIFE — DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL PHILAN- THROPY— LIBERATION OF AFRICAN SLAVES IN ENGLAND — HIS UNION WITH AMERICAN COLONISTS IN FAVOUR OF AFRICAN SLAVES — CONSEQUENCES OF THAT UNION. — HIS WRITINGS, TILL THE YEAR 1776.

Chap. I

Mr. Sharp designed for trade : his apprenticeship 27

He acquires a knowledge of Greek and Hebrew 29

First act of beneficence ib.

Decease of his parents : he obtains appointments in the Ordnance Office 30

Literary Controversy with Dr. Kennicott .... 31

Relieves an African Slave, and places him in service: receives an application from him. . 33

Undertakes his defence, and procures his freedom 31

Proserntion commenced against Mr. Sharp and his brother James 35

He receives a challenge : his answer 36

Devotes himself to the study of the law, for his own defence 37

Tract on the Injustice of tolerating Slavery in England 39

Prosecutor deterred from continuing his suit. . 10

Addresses a Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the Slave Trade 44

Declines the offer of a valuable Living 45

Liberates another Negro Slave 47

Writes to Alderman Beckford and Lord Chancellor Camden 48

Corresponds with Dr. Fothergill, on Religious Worship '.. 50

CHAP. II. Cause of a third Negro Slave, Thomas Lewis

undertaken at the request of Mrs. Banks . . 52 Lewis brought back t'rom a ship lying in the

Downs 54

Mr. Dunning's defence ib.

Petition of the Negro SC

Lord Mansfield's conduct and opinions 59

Lewis discharged - 00

Lord Mansfield declines further proceedings:

Remonstrance of G. S 01

XXVI

CONTENTS.

CHAP. III. Page

Occurrences in West Florida 62

Letter from G. S. to General Conway, Lieute-

nant-General of tlie Ordnance 63

Brass Crosby, Lord Mayor of London, sent to

the Tower ib.

Address from the Ward of Lime Street 64

Crown Lando reclaimed from the Duke of

Portland ib.

Letters addressed to him by G. S. on the Nullum

Tempus Bill . , 65

The Duke of Portland's answer 67

CHAP. IV. The liberty of Negroes in England still undecided 69

Cause of James Somerset selected for trial of the general question regarding Slaves in

England 70

G. S. engages Counsel for the suit ib.

Cause brought before Lord Mansfield 71

Great importance of the question announced

by him ib.

Mr. Hargrave makes an offer of his assistance 72

Retained by G. S 74

The cause tried before Lord Mansfield 75

Opened by Serjeant Davy : his argument 76

Followed by Serjeant Glynn (cause adjourned) 77

Letter addressed to Lord North by G. S 78

G. S. receives offers of assistance from Dr.

Fothergill SO

Abridgment of his Tract on Slavery printed

in America 81

Cause of Somerset resumed by Mr. Mansfield .

his arguments 83

Followed by Mr. Hargrave 84

And by Mr. AUeyne 80

Mr. Wallace and Mr. Dunning employed against

the Negro 87

Lord Mansfield's opinions (cause adjourned)

[ibid, and 88

Mr. Dunning's pleading against the Negro . ib.

Lord Mansfield's care of the mercantile interests in the West Indies ib.

Lord Mansfield gives juilgment in the case .. 89 Right of Negroes to freedom in England established 92

Chap. V

Humane etl'orts of the Quakers in North America in favour of African Slaves 95

They open a correspondence with G. S 96

Page Account of Anthony Benezet: letter from him

to G. S 98

Answer from G. S 100

Influence of the Tract on Slavery in America . 103 Attempt of the Slave-dealers to evade Lord

Mansfield's decision in the cause of Somerset 104 G.S. assisted by Dr. Fothergill and Mr. Alleyne 106

Affairs of the Caribbees in St. Vincent's ib.

Letters from G. S. to Dr. Fothergill and Lord

Dartmouth 107

Lord Dartmouth desires an interview Ill

Correspondence with A. Benezet on American

affairs 112

Letter addressed by G. S. to the Bishop of

London 116

Connection of the concerns of the Slave Trade

with the political state of the American

colonies 118

Apology for Mr. Sharp's conduct regarding the

latter 119

Address of the American Clolonies to the King,

similar to the mode proposed by G. S., in

respect to the Slave Trade 120

Copies of his tract on Civil Rights sent to

America by Dr. Franklin 122

Chap. VI

Conscientious conduct of G. S. in respect to

the contest with the colonies 123

Procures leave of absence from his office in the

Ordnance ib.

Resigns his office 126

Affectionate behaviour of his brothers ib.

View proposed of his literary productions. . . . 127

Chap. VII

Criticism by G. S. on Dr. Kennicott's statement

of corruptions in the Hebrew Text 130

Controversy on that occasion 135

Referred to Dr. Lowth ib.

Its favourable termination > . 136

Publication relative to the Liturgy of the

Prussian Church ib.

Introduction to Vocal Music 138

On the pronunciation of the English tongue .. 139

Religious and political publications 110

His amnsemcnts . barge on the Thames 143

His skill in music and drawing 145

Instruction of Omui 147

Design of it 149

Conversations with Omai on the subject of

adultery ib.

CuUicr.t and salters in Scotland 152

CONTENTS.

XXVI I

Part II

ACQUAINTANCE WITH GENERAL OGLETHORPE — CAUSE OF IMPRESSED CITIZENS — ATTEMPT AT RECONCILIATION BETWEEN ENGLAND AND HER AMERICAN COIO- NIES. — ORIGIN or THE FIRST MOVEMKNTS IN ENGLAND FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE. — CORRESPONDENCE ON PARLIAMENTARY REFORMATION. — RENEWAL OF EFFORTS FOR RECONCILIATION WITH THE COLONIES. — VARIOUS CONCERNS.

ESTABLISHMENT OF EPISCOPACY IN AMERICA, IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PRIMITIVE

CHURCH OF ENGLAND PROMOTION OF LEARNING AND RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE IN

THE AMERICAN COLLEGES.

THE SHIP ZONG.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE UNITED STATES — HONOU RS CONFE RRED BY THEM ON MR. SHARP.

Chap. I

Page Correspondence with General Ogletliorpe .... 155 Letter from General Oglethorpe, with anecdotes of himself 157

The " Sailor's Advocate" republished by G. .S. 160 G. S. applied 1o on the subject of impressing:

his sentiments respecting it ib.

Letters respecting some impressed freemen of

the city of Loudon 162

Cause of Millachip undertaken by the City . . 164

Mr. Sharp's part in it 165

Lord Mansfield's observations on the trial .... 166 Conversation with Dr. Johnson on the legality

of pressing 168

Mr. Sharp's remarks on that conversation .... 169

CHAP. U.

G. .S. takes an interest in the political troubles

of America 172

His loyal conduct respecting them 174

He takes part in measures for the reconciliation

of the Colonies with England 175

Anecdotes respecting the cause of his attempts

on that subject ib.

luterview with the Secretary of State 176

Ofters his personal service ...... 177

Seconded by General Oglethorpe 179

His efforts unsuccessful ib.

CHAP. HI.

G. S. renews his attention to the cause of African freedom 182

Addresses the Archbishop of York on the subject 184

Commences a personal application to the Archbishops and Bishops for the Abolition of the Slave Trade 185

Page Receives a promise of assistance from the

greater part of them 186

Letters from the Bishop of St. David's (Dr.

York), and Dr. Fothergill 187

Correspondence with the Bishop of Peterborough (Dr. Hinchcliff) on the subject of the Slave Trade 189

CHAP. IV.

G. S. takes an interest in the meetings for Parliamentary Reform 191

Makes application to several of the Bishops on

the subject 192

(Corresponds with the general meetings throughout the kingdom 193

Anecdotes respecting American independence 19S Interviews with various persons on that subject 196

Mr. Laurens's proposals for peace 197

Anonymous letter received by G. S. 198

Communicated to several persons high in the

State 199

Their replies 201

CHAP. V.

Various concerns : armed defence of London. . 203 New places and pensions : interview with Sir

J. Mawbey 204

Aflfaira of Ireland : correspondence with Lord

Carysfort 206

Success of Mr. Grattan's motion ib.

Miscellaneous anecdotes 206

CHAP. VI.

Measures taken by G. S. to promote the establishment of Episcopacy in North America. 207 Conversation with Dr. Price ib.

XXVUl

CONTENTS.

Page

State of the Episcopal Church in the Colonies 209

Endeavours to procure ordination for American students 211

Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury : account of Nonjnring Bishops in Scotland- • • • ib.

Dr. Seabury conies to England for consecration : proceeds to Scotland 213

Archbishop of Canterbury authorises G. S. to inform the Americans of his readiness to ordain proper persons from America 214

Embarrassment of the Episcopalian Clergy in America : they apply to Dr. Franklin — his advice 215

Correspondence on the subject between G. S. and Dr. Manning, Dr. Franklin and Dr. Rnsh ib.

Progress of measures taken to obtain the consecration of American Bishops 218

Two Bishops elected in America : requisition to the Archbishop of Canterbury for their consecration 222

CHAP. VII.

Conduct of the American Convention 224

Correspondence between G. S. and his Excellency J. Adams, Esq., the American Ambassador 225

Difficnlties regarding the consecration of the new Bishops. The American Prayer-book 228

Protestant Episcopal Church opened in the United States : the Bishops arrive in England 229

The Bishops presented by G. S. to the Archbishop of Caulerbnry, and consecrated • • . • 230

A third .American Bi^hop arrives : consecrated ib.

Application from other States to Ci. 8. on the same subject 232

Page Liberal donations of books from G. S. to the

libraries of the American Colleges 233

Decease of Anthony Beuezet : his funeral honours 235

CHAP. vin.

Tiie ship Zong — Cruel transaction in it : G. S. orders a prosecution against all the persons concerned 23G

Action brought by the insurers against the owners of the ship 237

Account of 132 Negroes thrown into the sea alive; trialof the cause beforeLord Mansfield 239

Second trial : Anecdote of J. Lee, Esq. ; argument of Counsel ; Lord INIansfield's opinion 240

Letters from G. S. to the Duke of Portland, and to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty "• • • 241

Advantages resulting from the trial 244

Letters to G. S. from the Bishops of Peterborough and Chester 246

Other Negro .Slaves liberated : case of H. Demane 247

Protection of an Otaheitan sailor 249

CHAP. IX.

Obligations to G. S. on the part of the American States iaO

Correspondence with Dr. Franklin, J. Jay, and J. Adams, Esqrs. ib.

Honours conferred on G. S. by the Universities of America 253

Part III

SETTLEMENT OF A COLONY AT SIERRA LEONE — ITS HISTORY.— ESTABLISHMENT OF

THE ST. George's bay company. — distresses and dangers of the colony

— assistance granted by parliament. — SURRENDER OF THE TERRITORY TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

MR. sharp's letters — LKTTER8 FROM THE SETTLERS — HE SKNDS A VESSEL TO THEIR RELIEF — SOLICITS THE PROTECTION OF THE MINISTER — OBTAINS A CHAR- TER FOR THE COMPANY.

ANECDOTES OF NAIMBANNA, PRINCE OF SIERRA LEONE.

CHAP. I.

Consequences of the freedom of Negroes in England 257

They wish to found a colony in their native country : apply to G. S. 200

Letter from G. S. to the Archb''. of Canterl)ury 201 Thoughts on the proposcil settlement in Africa 205 Mr. Smcathman undertakes lo conduct the

Negroes lo Sierra Leone 268

Assistance obtaineil from Government : Mr.

Smeatbman dies : the expedition delayed -. ib.

CONTENTS.

XXIX

Chap. VII

Mr. Sharp's part in the settlement 312

Land purchased ; difficulties of the outset- • • • 313 Account of the sailing of the Colonists, and

their establishment at Sierra Leone, in a

letter to Ur. Lettsom 315

Letters from the settlers to G. S. ; their perils;

dispersed by a Native Chief 320

G. S. sends the brig Myro to their relief •••• 324 Mr. Wbitbread's present : letter to the settlers

from G. S. ib.

G. S. applies to Mr. Pitt for protection to the

colony 328

Chap. VIII

Mr. Sharp's solicitude for the colony 329

Letter from the Old Settlers : artifices of the Slave-dealers to distress them 330

Page Further account of the colony, from O. S, to John Jay, Esq., America 334

Chap. IX

G. S. delivers an account of the state of the colony to the Lords of the Treasury 337

Various correspondences on the state of the colony 340

G. S. proposes to form a Company for its protection 347

The Company formed : correspondence with Mr. M'ilberforce concerning its shipping 318

Memoiial of G. S. to the King for the grant of a Charter to the Company 350

Chap. X

G. S.'s interview with Mr. Pitt, and several letters to him ' 351

The concerns of the colony undertaken by the Company 355

Letters of G.S. on that subject 357