FREE TOWN, SIERRA LEONE,

10th April, 1792

My dear Madam,

Here I am, once more exposed to the influence of a Torrid sun, near three thousand miles apart from my dearest friends, experiencing not only the inevitable hardships of Colonization, but wallowing in a multiplicity of trouble and confusion, very unnecessarily attached to the infant Colony.

We sailed from Falmouth the 19th of December, and arrived at this place the 16th of February, when we found the Harpy, Wilson, a Company ship, that left England some time after us; but our voyage was prolonged, in consequence of being obliged to stop at Teneriffe for a few pipes of Wine.

Immediately on entering the river we were visited by Captain Wilson, and after the customary civilities, he told us several Colonial Officers, a few soldiers, and some independent Settlers came passengers with him, who were greatly rejoiced at seeing the Amy; for, being all strangers, they were at a loss what to do, and wholly relied on Falconbridge to make good their landing.

In the course of conversation many sentences escaped Captain Wilson, importing a very unfavourable account of his passengers, but imagining they proceeded from some misunderstanding between them and him, neither Falconbridge or myself allowed what he said to bias or prejudice us in any shape.

Captain Wilson having directed the most eligible spot for us to bring up, waited until our anchor was gone, and then returned to his ship: Falconbridge accompanied him, to make his obeisance to the Ladies and Gentlemen on board.

In a short time, he was confirmed our surmise with regard to disagreements subsisting between the parties was well grounded, for they were constantly snarling at each other; but it required very little penetration to arrive at the true source of their animosities, and before I proceed further I must acquaint you, the Directors have appointed eight persons to represent them, and conduct the management of their Colony, under the dignified appellation of Superintendent and Council.

It is a pity, when making those appointments, they had not probed for characters of worth and respectability, as success in any enterprise greatly hinges on skilful, prudent conduct; qualities more especially requisite in an undertaking like this, labouring under a load of enemies, who will, no doubt, take advantage to blow the smallest spark of malconduct into a flame of error.