17

him off in a few days from Benin, but cannot be certain of any tiling
while we are dependant on the determination of the higher powers.

Dec. 6th.—I wrote to you on the 2nd, and on despatching the canoe,
set off for Benin. On my arrival, I found Mr. B. very unwell, with
every symptom of dysentery ; from the first of. his arrival at Benin, he
lost his wonted spirits, and told me the hand of death was on him. He
took large quantities of opium, but could not be prevailed on to use
other medicine, except castor-oil, being afraid of calomel.

I am sorry, gentlemen, my time will not permit me to be more par-
ticular, or to copy for you the whole of the above letters. Briefly; on
the 2nd, Mr. B. was conveyed from Benin to Gatd, on his way to this
vessel, in the hope of the-sea breeze having a beneficial effect. On his
arrival, he felt better, but a few hours after, all hope was gone, and-he
quietly expired on the afternoon af the 3rd of December. Every pos-
sible respect was paid to him ; and the following lines placed over; his
grave, under the shade of an arasma tree.

■ . " Here

Lie the Remains
of
G. BELZONL.Esq.,
Who was attacked with dysentery, on the 20th Nov.,' at
Benin, on his way to Houssa and Timbuctoo, and
died at this place, on the 3rd Dec, 1823.
. The gentlemen, who placed this inscription over the grave of this
celebrated and intrepid traveller, hope that every European, visiting this
spot, will cause the ground to be cleared and the fence around re-
paired, if necessary."

Before Mr. B. left Benin, he wrote to your house, and directly after,
his last letter to me. Mine is almost unintelligible, but he requests
me to join with Mr. Houtson, in disposing of various articles he did
not wish to be taken home, and remit the proceeds to your house, on
my arrival at home. This has been done, and I have on board three
hundred and fifty-one pounds, his property, his desk, and a few more
packages, not disposed of. His clothes and his papers have not been
looked into, but are sealed in his desk, as he left them. His provisions
and his medicines he desired .Mr. Houtson to accept, and he gave his
favourite pistols to his servant, a Houssa man (a worthless scamp, who
was caught purloining his effects). I have a packet for you, containing
Mr. B.'s Journal (I believe), and another from Mr. H., with every
particular you could wish. I consider these packets too valuable to be
sent home at a venture, as I am now doing with this. Here I shall
keep them, till I have a secure opportunity, or till I return (God
willing) to Liverpool. I have also on board an amethyst ring, which
Mr. B. used to wear, and which-he begged might be delivered to his
wife, with his tender affection, and regrets that he was too weak to write
his last adieu. I i have 'been much hurried scribbling this. Please
excuse inaccuracies. I have bare time to subscribe myself, with
respect,

Gentlemen, your obedient Servant,
William Fell.