7063. Mr. _Forster_.] As you appear to consider Sierra Leone as a desirable place for landing and locating the liberated Africans, how do you account for so little progress having hitherto been made in agricultural improvement and in carrying civilization into the interior from that part, up to the present time?--I consider that the liberated Africans of Sierra Leone have made a wonderful advance, comparing them with their condition when landed from the slave ships. 7064. Is it not the fact that no progress has been made in cultivation or in planting in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone?--No advance has been made because there has been no inducement held out to them; but the people have made wonderful strides, in my opinion, in civilization, and the condition of the liberated Africans is quite extraordinary, comparing them with the state in which they were landed, considering the very short time that has elapsed since the first Africans were liberated there from the slave ships. 7065. Is it not upwards of twenty years that the system has been going on there, and would not that afford ample time for greater improvement than is perceived there at this moment?--Considering the great numbers that during the twenty years have been landed from the slave ships, and their condition, I think the advance is more than could have been expected, considering that no inducement has been held out to agricultural pursuits. 7066. Are you acquainted with the banks of the Gambia and the land in the neighbourhood of our settlement there?--I have been in the Gambia a good deal; I cannot say that I have any perfect knowledge of the banks of the river. 7067. Would you think that the Gambia affords a more desirable location than Sierra Leone for cultivation?--I think, perhaps, for that particular object it may, but I am not at all sure of that. 7068. _Chairman._] Sierra Leone furnishes very little exportable produce of its own?--I am not aware that it exports any thing of its own, but the country we are about to purchase affords means of raising produce, if it is encouraged; I mean the Quia country. 7069. You think it desirable that the limits of the colony of Sierra Leone should be extended?--I think undoubtedly, both up the river and coastwise; I consider that the plans of General Turner were in the utmost degree wise and enlightened, and it is very much to be regretted that they were not followed up. 7070. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] When you say coastwise, do you mean north or south?--I think south to Cape Mount, where a settlement is already established, I would purchase the sovereignty, and establish one or two settlements between Cape Mount and Sierra Leone.