ADVERTISEMENT.

transmitting from time to time an account of the state of the Seminary, and of the result of such examinations, to this country.

That the same persons be requested to institute similar examinations, and to distribute similar rewards, for proficiency in the English language, at the seminary which has been formed at Sierra Leone, at the Society's expence, for the instruction of native youth.

The Board of Directors have also Resolved,

That the following premiums be proposed, with a view to encourage, in Africa, the cultivation of exportable produce, viz.

1. To the person who shall first import into this country the largest quantity, not less than a ton, of cotton wool, the produce of the Western coast of Africa, and which shall be pronounced by competent judges to be fit for the English market, a piece of plate of the value of fifty guineas, or the same sum in money, at the option of the claimant. 2. To the person who shall first import into this country the greatest quantity of manufactured indigo, not less than one hundred weight, the produce of the Western coast of Africa, in a marketable state, a piece of plate of the value of fifty guineas, or the same sum in money, at the option of the claimant.

ADVERTISEMENT.

3. To the person who shall first import into this country the largest quantity, not less than ten tons, of white rice, the produce of the Western coast of Africa, in a clean and marketable state, a piece of plate of the value of fifty guineas, or the same sum in money, at the option of the claimant.

N. B. A certificate must be produced by the person claiming the reward, in any of the above cases, signed by the governor or presiding officer of the settlement at which the articles shall have been shipped, certifying that they are the produce of the Western Coast of Africa, and specifying, if possible, the place of their growth.

4. To the person who, before the first of January, 1810, shall plant, within the Colony of Sierra Leone, the greatest number of acres, not less than ten, with coffee plants, agreeably to the annexed regulations, a piece of plate of the value of fifty guineas, or the same sum in money, at the option of the claimants.

The regulations are, that the coffee shall be of that kind, now growing at Sierra Leone, which is deemed the best for the European market; that it shall be planted on new ground; that the plants shall be eight feet apart; and that they shall be kept clean and free from weeds. A certificate to that effect must be produced from the governor or presiding officer of the settlement.

REPORT, &c.

THE Report made by the Committee, on the 15th of July last, contained a general view of the objects proposed by the Institution, with an answer to some popular objections that had been urged against the practicability of its plans. This Report has been printed, and largely circulated, both in London and in every part of the united kingdom, and, as the Committee have reason to believe, has produced, wherever it has been circulated, an impression in favour of the Institution: And if the funds of the Society have not increased in proportion to its apparent popularity, this appears to have arisen from its not having been sufficiently known that Subscriptions would be immediately wanted, rather than from any other cause. The Committee cannot but entertain a confident persuasion, that the necessary support will not be withheld, if the friends of the Institution shall make it be understood in their several

A

circles, that farther pecuniary assistance is required, in order to carry its benevolent purposes

into effect.

The first care of the Committee has been to open a correspondence with such persons in Africa as were likely to be useful in promoting the Society's views. The persons to whom they have written are Mr. Ludlam, the Governor of Sierra Leone, and Mr. Torane, the Governor of Cape Coast Castle.

The latter gentleman, Mr. Torane, having shewn a desire to be instrumental in introducing, into Africa, the cultivation of exportable produce, they acquainted him with the nature and design of the Institution, and expressed their desire to aid his efforts. They requested at the same time a communication of such remarks, as a perusal of their Report might suggest to him, together with any particulars which he might deem to be important, respecting the state and capacities of the African Continent, and the condition of its inhabitants.

To the Governor of Sierra Leone they wrote much more at large, as Sierra Leone appeared to them the place where their efforts, for the improvement of Africa, might most advantageously commence, and as, from the knowledge which several of their members had of Mr. Ludlam, they were led to place no small reliance as well on that gentleman's judgment and local information, as on

his cordial attachment to the cause of African civilization.

They directed Mr. Ludlam's attention, in the first instance, to the important object of giving full effect to the act for abolishing the Slave Trade, requesting to be informed, from time to time, of the actual state of that trade, (whether British or Foreign) on the Coast; of the degree in which the abolition laws of Great Britain, and of other nations, are effectual; and, if ineffectual, by what means and under what pretences they are evaded; and also what steps may be advantageously taken to prevent such evasions.

The Committee, however, were aware, that even the complete prevention of the export of Slaves from the Coast, might produce little immediate effect in civilizing Africa, unless something could be done to counteract those pernicious habits which the Slave Trade had nourished, and particularly to convince the native Chiefs how essential it is to the prosperity of their country, that measures should be immediately adopted for insuring to their subjects the safe enjoyment of person and property. On this subject they transmitted to Mr. Ludlam some suggestions with which they had been favoured, and on which they requested his deliberate opinion.*

See Appendix A.