information closed against us.  I proposed, therefore, that some one of the committee should undertake a journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster, where he should reside for a time to collect further light upon this subject; and that if others should feel their occupations or engagements to be such as would make such a journey unsuitable, I would undertake it myself.  I begged, therefore, the favour of the different members of the committee, to turn the matter over in their minds by the next meeting, that we might then talk over and decide upon the propriety of the measure.

The committee held its fourth meeting on the 12th of June.  Among the subjects which were then brought forward, was that of the journey before mentioned.  The propriety, and indeed, even the necessity, of it was so apparent, that I was requested by all present to undertake it, and a minute for that purpose was entered upon our records.  Of this journey, as gradually unfolding light on the subject, and as peculiarly connected with the promotion of our object, I shall now give an account; after which I shall return to the proceedings of the committee.

CHAPTER XIV.

[Sidenote:  Author arrives at Bristol; introduction to Quaker families there.—­Objects of his inquiry.—­Ill usage of seamen on board the ship Brothers.—­Obtains a knowledge of several articles of African produce.—­Dr. Caniplin; Dean Tucker; Mr. Henry Sulgar.—­Procures an authenticated account of the treacherous massacre at Calabar.—­Ill usage of the seamen of the ship Alfred.—­Painful feelings of the author on this occasion.]

Having made preparations for my journey, I took my leave of the different individuals of the committee.  I called upon Mr. Wilberforce, also, with the same design.  He was then very ill, and in bed; Sir Richard Hill and others were sitting by his bedside.  After conversing as much as he well could in his weak state, he held out his hand to me and wished me success.  When I left him I felt much dejected; it appeared to me as if it would be in this case, as it is often in that of other earthly things, that we scarcely possess what we repute a treasure when it is taken from us.

I determined to take this journey on horseback, not only on account of the relaxed state in which I found myself, after such close and constant application, but because I wished to have all my time to myself upon the road, in order the better to reflect upon the proper means of promoting this great cause.  The first place I resolved to visit was Bristol; accordingly I directed my course thither.  On turning a corner, within about a mile of that city, at about eight in the evening, I came within sight of it.  The weather was rather hazy, which occasioned it to look of unusual dimensions.  The bells of some of the churches were then ringing; the sound of them did not strike me till I had turned the corner before mentioned,