GRANVILLE TOWN, SIERRA LEONE,

May 13, 1791

My dear Friend,

Occasional visits to Bance Island, unattended by any important Occurrence worth troubling you with, and a continual concourse of strangers making their African compliments, engrossed two days interval between the date of my last letter, and our second expedition to Robana, when we set out in a boat and four hands, taking with us plenty of spirits for the common people, and a little wine for the King and his associates.

When we came in sight of the Town, multitudes of people thronged the Beach.

Mr Elliotte met us at the boat, and the crowd formed an avenue, through which he conducted us to the Queen's house, amidst such thundering acclamations, that it was almost impossible to hear one or other speak.

The King and Queen met us at the door, and seemed to give us a hearty welcome.

We were then ushered in, and introduced in general terms to the company, consisting of the parties who were to compose the Court, and a multiplicity of women, their wives, daughters, and attendants.

Having seated ourselves, and wasted almost an hour in receiving the civilities of shaking hands with every individual in the room, the members of the Court then took their seats, round the large table we dined off, when first there, which was now covered with a green cloth.

The King sat at the head of the table in an old arm chair: on his right was his secretary, and on his left his Palaver man; or, as his office is termed in England, his Attorney general: the other Chiefs appeared to seat themselves by seniority; the oldest next the Throne, if I may so term the old chair.

The King wore his hat, whi which was the gold laced one Falconbridge gave him.

On the table was placed wine and rum, of which every one helped himself plentifully.

I was astonished to see, not only the men, but women drink rum in half pints at a time, as deliberately as I would water.