With respect to the first of these points, the river Thames presented itself as at hand.

Ships were going occasionally from the port of London to Africa, and why could I not get on board them and examine for myself?
After diligent inquiry, I heard of one which had just arrived.

I found her to be a little wood-vessel, called the Lively, captain Williamson, or one which traded to Africa in the natural productions of the country, such as ivory, beeswax, Malaguetta pepper, palm-oil, and dye-woods.

I obtained specimens of some of these, so that I now became possessed of some of those things of which I had only read before.

On conversing with the mate, he showed me one or two pieces of the cloth made by the natives, and from their own cotton.