Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/42

38 being 20 miles square, containing 256,000 acres of land, well watered with salubrious springs, and situated on a fruitful peninsula, between two noble navigable rivers; the great river of Sierra Leone and the Sherbro', which receives the waters of many others. The peninsula rises into hills, forming upon one another into lofty mountains, the sides and summits of which are covered with timber.

"The extraordinary temper and salubrity of the air for European constitutions in this peculiar spot of the torrid zone, has been remarked by ancient writers and by modern travelers of respectability. The river has a safe channel for ships of any burthen; and St. George's bay, the first approach to the new settlement, is perhaps the finest harbor in the world. "Sierra Leone is about 8° 12' N. latitude and 12° W. L. It is generally about a month's sail from England; but more in returning, on account of the interruption of the trade winds."

In another part of this report we read:

"Mr. Falconbridge has collected several specimens of native produce, particularly of woods, iron ore, gum copal, pepper, rice, cotton and sugar cane, which afford the most favorable hopes.

"All the most valuable productions of the tropical climates, seem to grow spontaneously at Sierra Leone; and nothing but attention and cultivation appear wanting, in order to produce them of every kind, and in sufficient quantities to become articles of trade, and even of great national concern."

Granville Sharp says in a letter dated 31st October, 1787: "They have purchased twenty miles square of the finest and most beautiful country (they all allow) that was ever seen. The hills are not steeper than Shooter's hill; and fine streams of fresh waters, run down the hill, on each side of the new township; and in the front is a noble bay, where the river is about three leagues wide. The woods and groves are beautiful beyond description, and the soil very fine." Sir George Young, of the navy, assured him that this view of the place was correct. But in these pictures, there is a deception. As it imposed