"Mr Lander left here some time since for Cape Coast Castle, to procure
boats, &c.; and having got one boat and two canoes, manned by four
Englishmen, seventeen black men, and two boys, had proceeded up the
Niger nearly to the town of Hiammock (about 100 miles). Confident of
the friendship of the natives, he was tracking the boat along there
near the turn of the river, and abreast of the island, which much
narrowed the passage, when, at 2 P.M., on the 20th ultimo, the boat
grounding, a heavy fire was opened from the bush on both sides, and
from the island, which killed two men, and wounded himself with three
others. A number of large armed canoes coming round the point at the
same time, they were obliged to abandon the boat, take to the canoes,
and make a running fight for four hours, in which they lost another
Englishman, killed, and four blacks wounded--making a total of three
killed, and eight wounded.
"He got to the Craven cutter, waiting at the mouth of the river, late
in the afternoon of the 21st, arrived here on the 25th, and died on the
2d of this month.
"Mr Lander estimated the parties that attacked him at from eight to ten
thousand, all armed with swords or muskets--a number, no doubt, much
exaggerated--and felt convinced, from the judicious position they
occupied, that some Europeans were assisting, which, from the slavers
being much opposed to the English, and any trade on the coast, is very
probable.
"A Mrs Brown (wife of an English merchant up the river), with her
child, passengers, and a wounded black boy, were unavoidably left in
the boat when she was abandoned; but Mr Lander communicated with King
Boy, who immediately sent about them, and had great hopes they would be
returned uninjured. The loss to the company in arms, goods, &c. on the
occasion is stated to be about L.450.
"I trust I have not troubled you with unnecessary details, and beg to
remain, sir, your most obedient and humble servant,
"RICHARD MEREDITH,
"Commander of his Majesty's sloop Pelorus.
"_Fernando Po, February_ 5, 1834.
"P.S.--Two vessels sail for England to-morrow morning. I send accounts
by each. "R.M."
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The following is an extract of a letter from the agent to Lloyd's at
Fernando Po, dated February 6, 1834:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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