The Sun.
London, England, 1826-07-14 00:00:00

SURVEY OF THE COAST OF AFRICA.

RIVER BONY (COAST OF GUINEA), MARcH 26.
We ran down the coast of South Africa, as far north-
ward as the port of Loando St. Paul (Angola), the chief
and northernmost of the Portuguese settlements,' and as-
certained the geographical site of the principal headlands,
&c. We left Loando St. Paul on the 19th December
last. This place, from the water, has an imposing aspect.
Its fortifications are good, and the garrison has lately been
improved, in order to oppose any attempt of the Brazilians.
Among the Portuguese military are many who served in
the Peninsular war, and in that school obtained a cha-
racter which did not previously belong to them. This
' port still sends vast numbers of slaves to South America;
24 vessels were lying here for cargoes of this commodity.
Two of them sailed during our stay.
On the 25th'December we arrived off the mouth of the
Zaire, or Congo, but were unable to enter the river until
the Ist January, 'on account of the strong outset of the
current round the south entrance of.the river, though we
were frequently favoured with powerful winds. On the
above day, however, the tide, together with a strong breeze
operating against the stream, enabled us to run up as far
as convenient, and we anchored off Sherwood's Creek, in
about the Congo's second anchorage on her ascent up the
river; and very near where the indefatigable Professor
Smith, who died in the Congo expedition, was interred.
We were not high enough, or sufliciently near to Em-
bomma, to meet with any of our particular friends but the
Chenoo Cangi; N. Toni, an old chief, well known in the
vicinity of Tall trees, came on board, hearing from an in-
terpreter that some person was here who formerly served
in the Congo. He knew me perfectly well, and he pro-
duced, with a variety of others, chiefly Portuguese, a cer-
tificate written and given him by the lamented Hawker,
Lieutenant of the Congo. It was in a' very mutilated
condition, and I renewed it for him in the former name,
assigning the cause, &c. I made the Chenoo some small
presents, in token of remembrance and friendship, and he
returned me a duck and somee-India corn. He staid on
board till the vessel was getting under way, and on leaving,
very narrowly escaped a serious accident from the capstan
bars. As it happened, he was but slightly hurt.
The immediate banks of the lower part of this river,
being composed of thick forestS of mangroves, and other
evergreens, are constantly in a state of luxuriance. At this
season, the eleVated hills, which lie in the rear of these fo-
rests, axe clothed with lively green; though later in the
year, they appear parched and stony. The rise of the
river, and the velocity of the current, were not so consi-
derable as I was induced to expect: the natives say, there
has been no material rain for three years: a similar com-
plaint was made at Benguilla and Loando St. Paul. The
extreme rate of current in the most open part of the river
might amount to or 6 miles per hour. At anchor in
the unexposed places we found it four and a half at its
maximum. The deep channel or gully which renders this
river so remarkable, is very contracted, but we were unable
to obtain bottom by sounding, owing either to its extreme
depth, or to the effect of the stream.
The water of the river is much purer at this, than at
the'opposite season; it Was found perfectly , fresh in veins
for some considerable distance without the, points which
form the river's entrance.

•
The Barometer,. during our
sfq, rwgud between 30.
20. and 30.52..rbiit eivas generally quiescent at about
30.'30.; temperature of the atmosphere 8.5..5. to 79., the
river 80., with little variation.
.We left the Zaire on the sth of January, and proceeded
northward down the coast. I parted from it with extreme
regret, for notwithstanding every object recalled painful
recollections, it is, and has long been, my chief wish to be
employed in a second attempt to discover the source of
this mysterious stream. .

On the 7th we reached Cabenda, a convenient little
by-way much frequented by the Portuguese and Spanish
slave traders, who are in the custom of sending their boats
up the Zaire and along the coast to trade, while they re-
main here. It supplies stock, but is somewhat high.
Between Cabenda and Cape Lopez, a number of small
places occur, where both ivory and slaves are purchased.
The principaA town at Cape Lopez is the largest and
most compact we have yet observed among, the native
settlements. It is a place of 'Very considerable trade, and
its commodities are more plentiful and varied than else-
where, southward: The Fetish juggelry exists beie in
all its absurdity, and an' exhibition which occurred during
our stay afforded much amusement to some of our party;
it was quite equal to any thing Punch and Judy could
have done.

Cape Lopez has been very variously and erroneously
placed and given in the charts and navigation, books; its
error in latitude is particularly surprising its true posi-
tion is 37m. south latitude, and 8. 36. east of Oreenwieh.
It is a spacious, but an intricate kind of Bay, must be na-
vigated with caution, and approached with attention. The
country is extremely
woody towards the sea, but beyond'
there it is open and'affords fine pasturage to munerous'
herds of wild bullocks, one of which our people succeeded
in killing.
On the 30th of January, we, entered the river Gabon,
which runs through the most pleasant and fertile country
we have yet witnessed. The natives are somewhat
civilised ; are well acquainted with the principles of trade ;
fair in their dealings, and may be visited on shore with
unreserved confidence. A small Bristol brigantine was
here loading with ebony, wax, and'ivory.
Continuing along the coast front the Gabon, we sur-
veyed the large incrustation between Cape Estiras and
Cape St. John, called Coriscq Bay; this place, for its in-
tricaey, resembles Lopez Bay Ithe people of the islands
are friendly; those of the Main appear shy and fearful.
Having completed the coast up to the river Cameroons,
we stood over to the island Fernando Po to water; this
place seems to contain a race of the most complete savages
now in existence—shy and reserved, as well as very suspi-
cious. We procured from them s large supply of vege.
tables (yams), and this seems to be their only saleable com-
modity. Cloth, beads, &c. so much in esteem on the
adjacent coast, are here despised, and nothing is acceptable
but knives, or pieces of iron for making them,
We have been off the Bony now several dayS, and have
nearly, completely the survey of its entrance, there are
about twenty vessels,.chiefly English, waiting for cargoes.
Palm oil seems here the staple commodity, if we except
the slaves. These, it appears, are exported to a very con-
iiiderable amount. Several SP4lltigh, and French vessels
of
are now laying here for cargoes Slaves. After leaving
this river we proceed to the Benin, and thence backward
down the coast to the Old Calabar, being obliged to adopt
this plain op account of the winds. This interval of coast
being completed, we proceed to Sierra 'Leone for orders.
lam sorry that I 'am prevented from giving you a more
detailed account.

W Supreme Government in
progress from
thepeehrsaivaen hceaordwithattto atnh:mbassy is in
India. The person appointed is said to be the King's
brother-in-law, i'vrahommed Mehedy Khan` Mazen-
deranee, with a suite of three hundred attendants.
From the rank and consequence attached to this
-9
mission, it i conjectured to be on matters of great
importance.