Harrison, Esq. Henry Goulburn, Esq. M. P. and other
members of the Government who interest themselves in
African affairs, and they having expressed a desire to see
Adams, he waited upon them in person, and the Narrative
was at the same time transmitted to them for their perusal.
It is unnecessary to give stronger evidence of the general
impression derived from this investigation than is afforded
by the fact, that the Lords of the Treasury were pleased to
order to the poor man a handsome gratuity for his equipment
and passage home: and Sir Willoughby Gordon, in a
Letter which the Editor had subsequently the honour to
receive from him, expressed his opinion in the following
words:—“ the perusal of his Statement, and the personal
“ examination of Adams, have entirely satisfied me of the
“ truth of his deposition. If he should be proved an im-
“ postor, he will be second only to Psalmanazar.”
Although the information thus obtained from Adams did
not, in strictness, answer the specific object for which it was
sought, that of assisting Major Peddie ; yet as his extraordinary
adventures, and his details of Tombuctoo, were too
curious to be suppressed, it was resolved, with a view to
the gratification of the public, and in some respects in
justice to Adams, that the Narrative should be printed for
his sole benefit. It was accordingly about to be sent to
the press in December last, unsupported by any external
evidence beyond the considerations and opinions, contained
in the preceding part of this Preface, which was written at
that time. And as no sufficient reason then existed for
any longer opposing Adams’s wish to revisit his home, he
embarked on board a vessel bound to New York ; leaving
until his return, (which he promised should take place in
the Spring), a large balance of the bounty of the Lords of
the Treasury, and the expected profits of his Book; but
before his departure he communicated to the Editor such
particulars of his family as might lead to the verification of
his, and their, identity, if his return to this country should
be prevented by his death.
At this conjuncture an opportunity unexpectedly presented
itself, of putting Adams’s veracity to a decisive test
on many important details of his Narrative; and the
intended publication was consequently suspended until the
result of this investigation should be ascertained.
The circumstance which produced this fortunate delay,
was notice of the arrival in England of Mr. Dupuis, the
British Vice-Consul at Mogadore; to whose interference
Adams had ascribed his ransom; and to whom, con