writing (the man himself being unable either to write or
read) a full account of his travels and adventures, from
the period of his departure from America in the ship
“ Charles ” in which he was wrecked on the coast of
Africa, until that of his return to Cadiz, from whence he
had just arrived.
With this intention, the Editor took measures to render
Adams's situation more comfortable, by equipping him
with decent clothes, of which he stood peculiarly in need.
He was also supplied with a trifle in money, as an earnest
of the future recompense which was promised to him, provided
he would attend regularly every day until the whole
of his story should be taken down. It was not, however,
without considerable difficulty that the man could be
persuaded to remain during the period thus required. He
was anxious to return to his friends after so long and perilous
an absence, and had been recommended by the Consul of
the United States to join a transport of American seamen
which was then on the point of sailing. His desire to be
gone was increased by some rumours then in circulation, of
a probable renewal of hostilities between Great Britain and
the United States. But his objections were at length overcome
on receiving an engagement, that even if war should
break out, and he, by any accident, be impressed, his
discharge, either by purchase or substitute, should be immediately
effected. Upon this understanding, he consented
to remain as long as his presence should be required.
The Editor has been induced to enter into this detail
for the satisfaction of those who might be disposed to believe
that Adams had obtruded his story upon his hearers,
for the purpose either of exciting their compassion, or of
profiting by their credulity. To obviate such a suspicion,
it is sufficient to shew with what difficulty he was induced
to remain in the country to tell his story; and to state, that
he was never known to solicit relief from any of the numerous
gentlemen by whom he was seen and examined.
Previous, however, to Adams’s agreement to stay, a
Committee of the African Company having met, the Editor
laid before them the notes he had taken of the heads of his
story, expressing at the same time his firm belief that the
man had really been at Tombuctoo; and he had the satisfaction
to find that the Members of the Committee concurred
in his opinion of the credibility of the man's statements
; in which belief they were afterwards confirmed
by their personal examination of him. They strongly
encouraged the Editor to proceed in the course which he
had begun ; and recommended him to omit no practicable
means of securing the residence of Adams in this country,