Journal of an African Cruiser | Page 9

and a landsman on the flute.
5.--Sailed for Cape Palmas, in company with the Porpoise.
9.--Anchored at Cape Palmas. We were boarded by Kroo-men, in eight
or ten canoes. While the thermometer stood at 75 or 80 degrees, these
naked boatmen were shivering, and seemed absolutely to suffer with
cold; and such is the effect of the climate upon our own physical
systems, that we find woollen garments comfortable at the same
temperature.
Visited and lunched with Governor Rasswurm. Called on Mr. James, a
colored missionary, now occupying the house of Mr. Wilson, who has
lately removed to Gaboon river. Mr. James presented us with some
ebony, and a few Grebo books. He informed us that the fever had
visited him more or less severely, as often as once in four weeks during
seven years. This may truly be called a feverish life! He is about to
remove to Gaboon.
The Catholic Mission seems to have driven the Presbyterian from the
ground. We called on Mr. Kelly, a Catholic priest from Baltimore, and
the only white man of the Mission at present in Africa. Preparations,
however, have already been made for twenty more, principally French,
whose arrival is expected within a year, and who will establish
themselves at different points along the coast. Mr. Kelly is now
finishing a very commodious house, on a scale of some magnitude,
with piazzas around the whole. There is evidently no lack of money.
The funds for the support of the Catholic mission are derived
principally through Lyons, in France; and the enterprise is said to be
under the patronage of the king. The abundant pecuniary means which

the priests have at command, and the imposing and attractive
ceremonies of their mode of worship--so well fitted to produce an
effect on uncultivated natures, where appeals either to the intellect or
the heart would be thrown away--are among the chief causes of their
success. It is said, too, and perhaps with truth, that as many converts
are made, among the natives, by presents, as by persuasion. But no
small degree of the prosperity of the mission must be attributed to the
superior shrewdness and ability of the persons engaged in it--to their
skilful adaptation of their precepts and modes of instruction to the
people with whom they have to deal, and to their employment of the
maxims of worldly policy in aid of their religious views. These
qualities and rules of conduct have characterized the Catholic
missionaries in all ages, in all parts of the world, and in their dealings
with every variety of the human race; and their success has everywhere
been commensurate with the superiority, in a merely temporal point of
view, of the system on which they acted.
Before returning on board, we called on King Freeman, who received
us, seated on a chair which was placed in front of his house. His
majesty's royal robe was no other than an old uniform frock, which I
had given him three years ago. We accepted the chairs which he offered
us, and held a palaver, while some twenty of his subjects stood
respectfully around. He remembered my former visit to the colony, and
appeared very glad to see me again. His town was nearly deserted, the
people having gone out to gather rice. About the royal residence, and in
the vicinity, I saw thirty or forty cattle, most of them young, and all
remarkably small. It is said, and I believe it to be a fact, that cattle, and
even fowls, when brought from the interior, take the coast-fever, and
often perish with it. Certain it is that they do not flourish.
11.--King Freeman came on board, dressed in his uniform frock, with
two epaulettes, a redcap, and checked trowsers. He received some
powder and bread from the Commodore, and some trifles from the
ward-room.
12.--Joe Davis brought his son on board to "learn sense." In pursuit of
this laudable object, the young man is to make a cruise with us. The

father particularly requested that his son might be flogged, saying,
"Spose you lick him, you gib him sense!" On such a system, a
man-of-war is certainly no bad school of improvement.
13.--A delightful day, clear sky, and cool breeze. We sailed from Cape
Palmas yesterday, steering up the coast.
I have been conversing with young Ben Johnson, one of our Kroomen,
on the conjugal and other customs of his countrymen. These constitute
quite a curious object of research. The Kroomen are indispensable in
carrying on the commerce and maritime business of the African coast.
When a Kroo-boat comes alongside, you may buy the canoe, hire the
men at a moment's warning, and retain them in your service for months.
They expend no time nor trouble in providing their equipment, since it
consists merely