FREE TOWN, SIERRA LEONE,

Jan. 1st, 1793

Two days ago Mr Clarkson sailed; his departure operated more powerfully and generally upon people's feelings, than all the deaths we have had in the Colony; several gentlemen accompanied him two or three leagues to sea, and returned the same night.

Jan. 2nd. The Surveyor has stopped surveying the lots of land for the Settlers, although he assured Mr Clarkson, they should have them in a fortnight. His attention is now taken up with fortification, which seems to be the hobby-horse of Mr Dawes, and a large Fort is planed out upon a hill, about half a mile from the water side.

King Jemmy came to see me this day; he asked what was the reason Mr Clarkson did not call on him before he sailed, and said he did not suppose Mr Clarkson would have left the country without coming to see him; his cheek was furrowed with tears as he spoke; I did not imagine he had so much sensibility.

There was a very heavy tornado last night, an unusual thing at this time of the year; the roof of my house has become so dry, that the rain had free access through, and I got thoroughly wet.

5th. A remarkable fine ox (sent as a present to the Colony, by King Naimbana) was killed this day; I never saw fatter meat in my life; our acting governor (notwithstanding it was a present) had it sold at 4d. per pound. I suppose he has done this to show us he intends being an oeoeconomist, and thereby reimburse the Company's heavy losses; but that will require more fat oxen than he will be able to procure in this part of Africa for some years. This is not the only instance of his oeoeconomy, or I should say, parsimony, for a few days after Falconbridge died, he came and demanded of me his uniform coat, sword, gun, pistols, and a few other presents that the Directors had made him, which I gave up, they being of no use to me; he also engrosses all the Yams, Pumpkins, Turtle, and almost every kind of provisions in the neighbourhood, and has them retailed from the Company's store at an enormous advance…