494 COLONISATION OF AFRICA. 1785 They attended in their places much more puiiccually than the Newgate, members of the latter, and the reform in one would not be less agreeable than a reform in the other. Pestilence might be the consequence of so many persons being crowded in one house ; and the public safety, no less than a humane regard to the individuals in question, called for the interposition of Parliament. Here the business rested for the day. » Prof settlement. Sun'ey of the coufit. Report. Natives not to be molested. COLONISATION OF AFRICA. Instructions for the exploration of the east coast of Africa were sent to the Admiralty from Whitehall, in a letter dated 22nd August, 1785, as follows : — My Lords, — ^The King having thought fit that a part of the southern coast of Africa, at and near the entrance of the River or Bay Des Voltas (28' 29' S.), should forthwith be explored, in order to fix upon a proper spot for making a settlement on that coast, if such a measure should hereafter be judged expedient, I am com- manded to signify to your lordships his Majesty's pleasure that you do instruct the officer commanding his Majesty's ships em- ployed for the protection of our settlements in Africa, with the ships under his command, and as soon aft«r his arrival within the limits of his station, as your lordships shall judge proper, to detach one of the said ships to the said Eiver or Bay of Des Yoltas, directing her commander to use every possible means in his power to obtain the best survey or intelligence that he possibly can respecting the navigation at the entrance of and in the said river or bay, as well as upon the coast contiguous thereto, and to examine as minutely as circumstances will admit the place and produce of the country, the character and disposition of the inhabitants, and in general to use his utmost diligence in gaining every sort of in- formation that may be requisite to be acquired previous to an attempt to carry into execution a plan of the nature I have before alluded to ; and upon his return to England to transmit to me a particular account of his proceedings for his Majesty's knowledge and consideration. Your lordships will at the same time take especial care that the commander of the ship to be sent on this service be particularly instructed to avoid giving any sort of offence or cause of complaint in the mode of conducting it, to the peaceable natives or to European settlers, in case he should happen to meet any such established upon that part of the coast. Digitized by Google
