| Description | He waited in vain until mid-Nov for the arrival of the 'Neptune' bringing stores. He then left for Bramia on 24 Nov, arriving 28 Nov, Governor Maxwell having agreed to take charge of CMS goods. Butscher knew that the slave traders' repulse of the sloop 'Favourite' had unsettled communications and he took some of the auctioned goods from the 'Charles' lest the Rio Pongas missionaries should be in want. They had also been threatened with expulsion by the slave traders, who accused them of collusion with the government, until Fernandez took thier part.
At Bramia Butscher supplied Renner and settled the Meisners in temporary quarters with Fernandez' help. On 19 Dec he and Wenzel were back in S. L. to receive in safety the 'Neptune's' goods.
After careful thought and consultation with the Governor, Butscher has decided to accept the S. L. Chaplaincy from 1 Jan, provided that his position as CMS missionary was assured and he were free to start the Gambier settlement. The Governor wishes CMS to send out a qualified married schoolmaster. Butscher thinks that Holt at Hammersmith would be suitable, and he might come out with the 4 German recruits, who could reinforce Bashia and Gambier. The Governor has offered a house with large grounds for a school on the Lancastrian plan if CMS can staff it.
He gives account of his work as Chaplain, and among the captured slaves.
Postscript: 14 Feb 1814: Mrs. Catherine Butscher to Secretary
She is forwarding Butscher's letter with a bill of £200 to go by the 'Spitfire'. The Colony is expecting invasion of the Mandingos and the slave traders are blamed for this. The Governor has sent troops to the Rio Pongas, accompanied by the Colonial Sloop the 'Fly', and the 'Princess Charlotte'. |