Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-06-08
From the Christian Register.
AFRICA.

more striking moral and geographical
features ,nan northern Africa.
That part Of it stretching along the
Mediterranean from the straits of Gibral-
tar, almost across the continent, so fam
ed in ancient times for arts and COM
merce, but, in our day, celebrated only
for the barbarism and religious intoler-
ance of its inhabitants-is narrow strip
of land habitable no farther from the
sea, than its moisture and fertilizing in
fiuence extends.
Upon the back of this, and almost par
al'el to it, is The great desert; extending
east from the Atlantic, almost TO the
confines of Egypt and south beyond the
sixteenth degree OF latitude; separating,
by many dreary days journey, this
habitable Mediterranean region from the
Negro Kingdoms. The desert is not on
level with the adjacent countries, es-
pecially on its southern side-but has
what is called a dip in that direction.
Here it is common for travellers. in eros
sing it, to speak of going down from the
desert to the cultivated country.
Ever since the conquest of Barbary
by the Arabs, they have not ceased to
traverse this desert in different routes
from their cities TO the land OF the ne
groes. This intercourse has produced
race called Moors, who generally
dwell upon the borders Of the desert,
and find constant employment, in rob-
bling and turning the negroes to the re-
ligion of Mahomet.
On the other hand, the negroes of
this region who inhabit the countries up
on the waters of the Senegal and Jol-
iba or Niger, are, like the Hindcos, an
amiable race, inoffensive and hospi,able
to strangers and although Pagans, yet,
so far as their usages and mental ac-
quiremeDts will permit, they are NOR
al race Of men. But having the misior-
tune to live neighbours TO the Moors,
who, amongst their other qualifications,
possess an invincible spirit of proselyt-
ism, they are subject to all the troubles
and even horrors that often attend the
ill-advised attempts of religionists to in
troduce their faith TO a people not quail
flied TO receive if.
And in surrendering the homely relig-
ion of their fathers and embracing
new one, the negroes themselves often
only acquire the vindictive and sectarian
spirit of their teachers, without imbibing
the benignant influence of any religion.
Of this the following story will serve
as an example:
ln the year 1895, Abdulkader, king of
Foota Torra, a country bordering on the
Senegal, having recently been converted
to the religion of the Prophet, and wish
ing to signa!ize his zeal in the cause, re-
solved to redeem TO the dominion of the
faithful a neighboring state whose king
was named Daniel. He accordingly
prepared him solemn embassy, The
head of which represented the person of
the great king Of Foota Torra, accompa-
MED by two reverend and learned Bush
reeDs, each carrying in has hand large
knife fixed at the top of a long pole.
When this company were admitted
into the presence of Daniel, the ambas-
sador ordered the Bushreens TO produce
the knives, the emblems of their mis-
sion, aud they were accordingly laid be-
fore the king. He then began his ex-
PLANTATION, and taking up one of them he
said, with this knife Abdukader will
coDdescerd to shave the head of Daniel,
if he will embrace the Mahomedan
faith; and here are the Bushreens, point
ing 10 his followers, who will instruct
him. But, continued he, if Daniel re-
fuse, with this other knife Abduikader
will cut your throat take your choice.
To this Daniel coolIy replied, that he
had no choice to make, as he did not
wish to have his head shaved, or his
throat cut; and with this answer the an
bassador aud his train were civilly dis
missed.
When Abdulkader found that his mis-
| sionaries had made no converts, he was
very angry and becoming bloody mind
| ed, as Is not uncommon In such cases,
when power is at command, he prepar-
ed great army, to invade the Jaloffs,
for by that name were Daniels people
called. On the approach Of this army,
| the terrified inhabitants of the towns and
villages filled up their wells, destT Dyed
their provisions, carried off their goods
and little ones, and scattered themselves
in the woods and secret places. By this
oeans the king of Foota Torra, was led
on from place TO place in search of sus-
tenauce for his army, until he had adj
vanced three days. journey into Damels
country. As yet Abdulkader had met
with no opposition, but his army suffered
severely from the want of water, so that
number of his men died by the way.
This obliged him 10 turn aside 10 a wa
teriDg place at some distance in the
woods, where his men arrived at the