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40 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE.

perseverance, he was at length enabled to obtain a good-sized schooner, then a brig, and afterward a ship.  In the year 1806, he owned a ship, two brigs, and several smaller vessels, besides considerable property in houses and lands.
4. Feeling in early life a desire of benefiting his fellow-men, he made use of such opportunities as were in his power for that purpose.  Hence, during the severity of winter, when he could not pursue his usual business in his little boat, he employed his time in teaching navigation to his own family and to the young men of the neighborhood.  Even on his voyages, when opportunity offered, he instructed those under his care in that useful art.
5. He was so conscientious, that he would not enter into any business, however profitable, that might have a tendency to injure his fellow-men; and seeing the dreadful effects of drunkenness, he would not deal in ardent spirits on that account.
6. In the place where he lived, there was no school; and as he was anxious that his children should obtain an education, he built a house on his own land, at his own expense, he gave his neighbors the free use of it ; being satisfied in seeing it occupied for so useful and excellent a purpose.
7. In many parts of his history, we may discover that excellent trait of character which rendered him so eminently useful--a steady perseverance in laudable undertakings.  It is only by an

CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE.  41

honest industrious use of the means in our power that we can hope to become respectable.
8. His mind had long been affected with the degraded and miserable condition of his African brethren, and his heart yearning toward them, his thoughts were turned to the British settlement at Sierra Leone.  In 1811, finding his property sufficient to warrant the undertaking, and believing it to be his duty to use a part of what God had given him for the benefit of his unhappy race, he embarked in his own brig, manned entirely by persons of color, and sailed to Africa, the land of his forefathers.
9. After he arrived at Sierra Leone, he had many conversations with he governor and principal inhabitants, and proposed to them a number of improvements.  Thence he sailed to England, where he met great attention and respect; and being favored with an opportunity of opening his views to the Board of Managers of the African Institution, they cordially united with him in all his plans.  This mission to Africa was undertaken at his own expense, and with the purest motives of benevolence.
10. He was very desirous of soon making another voyage, but was prevented by the war which took place between England and the United States.  In 1815, however, he made preparations, and took on board his brig thirty-eight persons of color; and after a voyage of thirty-five days, he arrive safe
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