Abandonment It was once again handed back to the Royal African Company. However, they made no attempt to administer the Gambia. In 1785, Lemain Island was acquired by the British government with the view of the establishment of a convict settlement, but nothing came of the plan. For the next thirty years, British influence in the Gambia was confined to the operations of a small number of traders. Settlements were established by these traders along the river banks. Among these settlements, the most important probably was Pisania. This settlement, which was already in operation by 1779, was occupied by Dr John Laidley and a family by the name of Aynsley. Subsequently, Laidley and the Aynsleys rendered invaluable assistance to Major Daniel Houghton in 1790, Mungo Park in 1795 and 1805, and Major William Grey in 1818, in the course of their journeys into the interior of Africa.
Abandonment It was once again handed back to the Royal African Company However they made no attempt to administer the Gambia In 1785 Lemain Island was acquired by the British government with the view of the establishment of a convict settlement but nothing came of the plan For the next thirty years British influence in the Gambia was confined to the operations of a small number of traders Settlements were established by these traders along the river banks Among these settlements the most important probably was Pisania This settlement which was already in operation by 1779 was occupied by Dr John Laidley and a family by the name of Aynsley Subsequently Laidley and the Aynsleys rendered invaluable assistance to Major Daniel Houghton in 1790 Mungo Park in 1795 and 1805 and Major William Grey in 1818 in the course of their journeys into the interior of Africa