William Smith

Smith, William, fl. 1726.

A new voyage to Guinea: describing the customs, manners, soil, manual arts, agriculture, trade, employments, languages, ranks of distinction climate, habits, buildings, education, habitations, diversions, marriages, and whatever else is memorable among the inhabitants. Likewise, an account of their animals, minerals, etc. With great variety of entertaining incidents, that happen'd during the author's travels in that large country. 2d ed. London : J. Nourse, 1745.

Smith was a surveyor to the Royal African Company, and undertook a voyage in 1726 to survey all English forts and settlements in Guinea. Encouraged by "the present curiosity of the publick for whatever may contribute to the rendring of the produce of distant countries and the manners of foreign nations, fully and certainly known..." he published a volume of his travels, complete with thirty folio plates of illustrations. This version, however, seems to have been compiled from material written by Smith and other sources, and contains only a few plates.