which British enterprise, under the auspices of a patriotic
and enlightened, but private institution, shall
have explored, marked out, and prepared for them,
By Mr. Park’s discoveries, a gate is opened to every
commercial nation to enter and trade from the west to
the eastern extremity of Africa. The navigable parts
of the rivers Gambia and Niger are not so far distant,
but that great facilities of trade may thence be derived,
aided by the establishment of intermediate stations and
points of intercourse. A considerable traffic is carried
on by the natives for ostrich feathers, drugs, ivory,
and gold, even without such advantage. On due direction
and exertions of British credit and enterprise, it
is difficult to imagine the possible extent to which the
demand for our country’s manufactures might arrive,
from such vast and populous countries in the bosom
of which gold, the great medium of commerce, is
readily found; and which would be sought for and
brought into circulation with new avidity and success,
in proportion as objects for the exchange, became
known, desirable, and necessary to the people.
This subject has already been recommended by the
Society, to the attention of Government; and on the
return of peace, it is not doubted, but it will be treated
with a consideration and regard, suitable to the important
interests which it involves.
When the thorny track of a Park or a Horneman
is become the beaten road of the merchant, advantages
of another sort will quickly follow ; and the intercourse
extend to the instruction of the naturalist and
philosopher, to the promotion of civilization, and to
the increase of the general stock of human knowledge
and happiness.
Contemplating such accomplishment o f the wise and
benevolent purposes of their Institution, the patriotic
members of this Society cannot but look back with
exultation to the hour of its establishment, and they
will with satisfaction recapitulate its means and
progress, towards such happy termination of their
labours. .
Of those who transmitted accounts which they had
received, concerning the people and country of Africa,
Mr. Ledyard and Mr. Lucas were specially employed,
with the further intent of progress into the heart of the*
country ; for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of
these recitals,, the correcting them on personal information,
and the elucidating, on actual survey, any
c