James Island is a very small spot of land in the middle of the river-now entirely deserted—but is a place where "moulders many a gallant heart"—having been formerly fortified by the English who stationed there a considerable number of troops, thousands of whom perished owing to the unhealthiness of the Climate.

Wednesday, Decr. 4th. The Alcade not arrived though hourly expected-no trade can be made before he comes. Several of the natives on board from Gillfrei and some traders from neighboring villages. Went ashore and walked some distance the country appears very pleasant, abounding with rice, yams, Guinea corn, pumpkins— plantains and a variety of tropical fruit. Gillfrei is a large village and contains several thousand inhabitants.

Thursday, 5th. This day I went by land to Albreda*__ 'tis not much more than a mile below Gillfrei and is a larger town. 'Tis surrounded with gardens, in which are pumpkins of various kinds-plantains, limes, sweet potatoes and such quantities of onions as almost to vie with Wethersfield or Bristol.

Friday, 6th. In morning went in boat to James Island -viewed the ruins of the fortifications and brought off some brick to set in the Caboose.

Saturday, 7th. The Alcade not yet arrived, but the King's people having come, settled with them the Customs and Duties.

Sunday, 8th. In afternoon went in boat to Seca, a

* Albreda is to-day a trading station of British West Africa, exporting peanuts and copra. The population is about 2,000.

town about 4 miles up the river. A Danish Schooner came down the river and anchored near James Island

Monday, 9th Decr. Went on board the Danish Scr., Capt. Bates-She is nearly ready to leave the river. Discharg'd some of our Cargo to-day. Saw the Alcade who arrived last night.

Tuesday, 10th. Employ'd in trading off and discharging part of the Cargo.

Friday, 13th. Having compleated what business I intended at Gillfrei-at sunset weighed anchor and made sail up the river-in about an hour dropt anchor opposite Seca.

Sunday, 15th. At 9 A.M. weighed and made sail, light breeze down the river-beat up till the flood tide had done and at 2 P.M. dropt anchor just above Vinton Creek. At 10 P.M. made sail again and at 12 came to anchor opposite Tankrowa

Monday, Decr. 16th. Tankrowa-opposite which we now lay is on the South side of the river, about 40 miles above Gillfrei-It is the largest and best situated town that I have seen on the river. I here found an unexpected treat, viz. some fresh Butter, which though without salt is really very good.

Tuesday, Decr. 17th. Having made some trade* at Tankrowa, at 12 this day weighed and proceeded up the river-sometimes with a boat towing ahead, and making sail when the wind would admit. In the night passed the town of Tandebar.

* Meaning slaves.

Wednesday, Decr. 18th. At 8 A.M. the flood tide being spent dropt anchor just above Devil's point. Here are several of the trees called the Monkey-bread-tree, the fruit of which has a very agreeable taste. I measured the body of one of these trees about 4 feet from the ground and found it to be of the enormous size of 10 fathom* in circumference. When the flood tide made in the afternoon proceeded up the river grows narrow and our progress is slow-the river being very crooked we rarely have a fair wind.

Friday, Decr. 20th. Continued our course up the river -it grows narrower and is very crooked-passed several Islands to-day-plenty of birds around us of which we shot several. Since passing Devil's Point we are in fresh water-Alligators begin to show themselves along the shore-At 9 P.M. came to anchor opposite the town of Cowa, a large town on the North side of the river. It is about half a league from the water. Between the town and the shore is a large rice swamp to pass through which is difficult and disagreeable. I staid here all this day— endeavoring but in vain to make some trade.†

Sunday, Decr. 22nd. Last evening at 7 weighed anchor and proceeded up the river. It grows narrower and is very crooked which makes our progress slow. The land at a distance begins to appear hilly-but near the shore is generally very low. We are visited with swarms of musketoes, and they are by far the worst I ever saw notwithstanding I wear thick cotton stockings † Bartering cargo for slaves.

* 60 feet.

and trowsers over them. I am from my hips downward completely scarified—wherever they touch they leave a bunch as large as a pea which continues many days with a most intolerable itching. In addition to the agreeable music which these insects make, we are regaled with the delightful screaming of various kinds of birds-the alligator's hoarse voice too is frequently heard and at night the howling of the wolf and sometimes the roaring of the distant Lion helps to compleat the concert————

Monday, Decr. 23d. The river growing very narrow, passed several islands—the banks begin to look pleasanter -and a fair wind most of the day and in the evening came to anchor at Chieye.

Tuesday, Decr. 24th. Here I found an English Cutter, Capt. Grandison, who came into the river a few days before me. At this place lives Capt. Tye, an Englishman, who is now the only white man that lives on the river. Here too I met Bob and George Ansel-two mulattoes, who reside farther up the river-with them and Capt. Tye I bargained for my remaining Cargo.

Wednesday, Decr. 25th. Being Christmas gave a holiday to all hands. I dined on shore at Capt. Tye's, in company with Capt. Grandison. Spent the day and evening pleasantly, casting however many an anxious thought to my native country and the friends whom this festival will call together.

Thursday, 26th. Employ'd in discharging some part of the Cargo &c. Having cleared the forward part of the hold, began to stow our water Casks and fill with water.

Saturday, 28th. Employed in discharging more of the Cargo, cleaning the hold, filling water &c. The place where we lay now is about 2 miles above Chieyeproperly so called. This being the residence of Capt. Tye, is called the New-Port. On Sunday, 29th, went with Capt. Tye, by land to Chieye, spent the day and had an excellent Dinner, at the house of Aberdeen, a native who together with his wife having mixed much with the English who formerly resided here, now speak the language tolerably and set their table &c. in quite decent style.

Decr. 30-31st. Mr. Dean, a mulatto, who lives up river came down and traded.

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