Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-04-27
Etom the siera leone cazslte:

MAIesty sup DihhCb, O"Pes S'
sailed on Thursday last, for the Bighis
Of Benin and Bisfrs. Captains Clap
perton and Pearce, with Messrs. Nor
rison and Dickson, who came out IN
the Brazen, went down m her, and
will be landed at such part ofthe coast
as circumstances may render most ad
visable Their object VIII then be to
reach Soccatoo, where Captain Clap
perton resided some time last year,
when in toe interior with MAJOR Den
ham. We had much conversation
with him, and were much gFatlhed
with his statements They contirm
(wfat we are sure will be apparent
the more we become acquainted with
the country that the centre OF Africa
is far advanced in civilization; that the
further the negro is removed from the
baneful effects OF the slave trade--the
contamination ofthe coast--the con,ami
nation of the coast-the more he IS
raised in the scale of humanity, the
more intelligent, honest and lndnsiri-
Gus does he become. We understand
thai on reaching Soccatoo, some OF the
party will remain to form more int
mate relations with that extraordinary
sovereign, Sultan Belle, and endeay0r
to establish safe and permanent COM
muncai,on between Soccato0 and the
coast; whilst others will visit the M
ger, trace its course, and follow it to
| the sea: with other excursions for the
benefit of science and extension OF
knowledge,
We were favoured with view OF
a map containing the late discoveries
Of Major Denham and Captain Clap
perion, from which it seems nearly
certain, thai the Niger, or Jollba, pas
sing within shor, distance OF socca-
too, flow into the Bightiot Benin, and /,
ne have 10 donbt, forms Lagos aud
The rivers round it, II so, what
an important openingis made into the
, interior of AfIical With ap exception
of the rapids of Yaouree, steam yes
sci may traverse this immense cont.
nent from the Blight of Benin to the
Foulah country Ia water commnDica
ton scarcely equalled in any other part
ofthe world.
We are much graiified with Captain
Clapperton's account ofthe extent and
neatness ofthe fences and plantations
IN the interior, especially OF cotton and
the care which they are kept clear
of weeds We are also struck with
the circnm.t lance, that all the geld car
ried to Timhuctoo and Saccaioo ID
brought from the west and south west,
a strong corrohoraticn o. what is alI
ways stated by oui travelling merchant
that the most productive gold nIBet
Western or Interioy Africa are n0t
far from us. We wish these adyen-
tnrous travellers every success; but We
cannot help fearing the Portuguese in
te1est in The Righ,s will be too power
fol for them. II is the policy of that
Government to keep every thing con
necled with its colonial establishments
a profound secret: The World knows
nothing OF them. To this national
jealousy is TO be added, in the present
case, the fear of the authorities on this
coast, that orr success may be their loss,
and especially that it may interfere
with their illicit slave trade. III the
Lagos be the Niger, they must know
IT; and il so, WE fear they will not, if
they can prevent it, allow our enter
prizIng countrymen to unrayel secret
they have Sc long kept
MALTA.-The climate of Malta is
very warm, and tie houses abound
with mosquitoes, flies, &c. in such a
degree that | seldom slept more than
TWO or three hours in any one night.
] was also much annoyed by the
droves OF hogs, which are constantly
ranging the streets, and defle every
place they approach. The Inhabitants
are so partial to these animals, ithat they
rebelled against one of their Grand
Masters, who ordered the hogs to be
confined, and compelled him to res
cind his order. Since that period they
have had free access to every par. of
the town, except the square opposite |
the palace.
The first COFFEE House IN London |
49, Coffee is native OF Arabia, suppo |
sed by some to have been the chief in