Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-05-04
A ERICA.

We are indebted TO our correspondent at
Cape de Verd Islands for the following infor
nation of the RIO Ouro and The coast of A fri.
ca from Cape Bajador TO Cape BIanco.
Port Praya, 50. Jago, Dec. 81.
Arrived his ID. VI. ship Leven, Capt ID. T..
Bartholomew, c. b. commander, last from Rio
Ouro and Cane Bianco. aud sailed Oh The I'd
January fof Goree, and the Gambia, survey.
ing. Capt Bartholomew Informs, that al Rio
OuTo. he had au interview with tribe Of
wandering Arabs, and strange to learn found
among thsm Free Mason, who spoke lille
Spanish and said that in Arabia Felix where
he had been, were mapy Free Masons, aud
offe ed 10 60 on board the shin, bni was pre-
vented by The chef. Taese Arabs are ia the
habit OF bur, ing their bodies in the sand
whenever they discover a boat approach the
shore, and lay thus concealed until The party
lands, when by signal or yell Of the chief
they all instantly rise, surprise and make
prisoners of the party. The officers and crew
of the Leven, whenever they landed were
prepared with side arms and muskets, and
when approaching the natives, required of
them To lay down their arms they doing the
same Capt. r. describes them az treache.
rous race, and though he never saw above 6
or persons al a time, yet he never saw the
same persons second time save the chiei
On getting under weigh aud coming down the
river, he s"w numerous fires along the banks,
signals OF his departure and believes tia a
largo number OF the natives had assembled
az different points. waiting 4 favorable mo.
meot to board the ship. Cdpt.B thinks from
tneir expressions, they knew his ship to be a
man of war; and looking at the Colors, made
a loud yell and SAID they were not Spanish
II describes the river, IL such il may be call.
ed, az being about % miles in length and
three in width. and the banks not 40 high as
the topmast head, with quitks bottom
for IN wei ching his anchor, found il buried
several feet IN the sand and mauy fatlems of
the chain worn perfectly bright he found
tue cbsunel winding, aud passage iairicate,
and en- the bar al the mouth was only water
TO pass al spring tide, consequently had 10
remain uOtii the next sptiGg tide before he
could return. A the head Of the river is a
small island, containing two or three acres,
Int he cOnid discover no fresh water, though
from the appearance large stream emptied
in against tho island during the rainy season,
No ore or earth was found containing gold,
from which the river derived its uame, nor
huts or VefJnre discovered as far as the eve
could reach. and nothing was seen bnt d drea.
~ sandy desert Capt Is. sounded Tie coast
from Cope BaJadof 10 Cape Biauco, which he
found regular, aad anchored every night IN
Ia faihous distsuce6 miles from shore, ex-
cGptipg ~ Cape Barbas where he anchored
in II faihoms distance thtee miles from shore.
I1g found good bottom IN - tdihoms distance
10 miles from shore and thinks that vessels
may with safety run into . tathOms, with ca
bies beBt, excepting Into ST. Cypfisn's Bay,
wbote u is better 20 keep at a sreater dis
taJCe. in order TO weather Cape Barbas.
Capt. i. saw no huts aloug he coast except.
in az tho bottom OtS CypfIaB's Bay. where
Ie disco red TX on lOw piece Of table
lInd, aud " The same Bay saw two wrecks,
ship and brig, tho latter supposed 10 be the