VIU PREFACE.

remained of redeeming their fate by more suc-

cessful exertions. Greece and Rome alternately

fought and conquered, and were subdued by

arms, the short summary of most nations' his-

tory, while it remained for the British Govern-

ment alone to extend their empire through the

enlightened agency of moral sway, of civil in-

stitutes, and Christian regulations, and convey

to the hapless, the neglected, and the enslaved,

the highest blessings which can dignify, improve,

or adorn man.

Warmed with those feelings, I felt an honour-

able pride in being entrusted with a command

to explore the uncultivated regions of Western

Africa. It was a task of peril, but the measure

of danger was the measure of honour ; and with

a strong distrust of my own capacity I accepted

the office of conducting the expedition. As

soon as I became acquainted with its objects, it may be naturally supposed that I felt some un-

easiness ; but such were the measures taken by

a superior commander, now no more, that any

insufficiency on my part was compensated by

the wisdom of a gallant and enlightened officer.

The objects of the mission were not the mere

acquisition of territory, or the unfair advantage

of commerce ; they were the improvement of

science, the enlargement of trade, and the con-

sequent diffusion of increased happiness to the