The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-07-10
A NEW NEGRO NATION.

~ NLV NkuASO Avn 49,
From AN extract published in the Albany Argus,
and derived from the Narrative Of MIR. Wilson,
missionary in Africa, learn that he has discover
ed nation of Philippians never before seen or dcs
crbed by any white man. Mr.. Wilson is stationed
on the Gaboon River, which emptes in The Atlanuc,
about twenty miles north of the Equator.
The mission is at the mouth Of the river, but bav-
ing fine opportunity, MIR. Wilson accompanied
Toxic distinguished negro merchant, up Inc Ira
boon and its tributary the Big OrOnbo, to kobangais
town, fifty miles from the ocean, on the ba"ke,
branch of the Big Orombo. This far up the
river as he assembled. While there, he met with
new nation of Africans, " some OF whom were SAID
to come five days journey and others ten 70 WE'VE
days urney from the nteror"-that IS, from @OO 10
400 miles from the sea coast he calls then! the
Pang,ce people, because they came from The drec-
ton in which country of that name lies The dis
lance from the coast indicates that they came from
Ethiopia and possibly that this people may spread
over that vast unknown region OF Africa.
The existence and use of iron of their own manu-
facture, seems very remarkable, and philosophers
would saw indicates an advanced state of civilization,
for it is known that barbarous or savage people
never have iron OF their own manufacture until IL
has been first introduced by the whites. The nom
existence Of slavery and the slave trade among them
shows feature still distinctive from the ord-
nary African.
We are furnished by the Argus with the following
passage from the journal of Mr.. Wilson.
"Durng short sojourn in this place, we met
with number OF men entirely different in their fea-
lures and enera appearance from those in this part
Of the country. some of whom were SAID to have
come five, and others ten or twelve days journey
from the interior. They were known ny the nams
of the Pangwe people The. were on visit to this
part Of the country, which is to he sea coast
they have ventured. Hearing of US at this place.
they came in considerable numbers to see white
man and old Toxic, one oil whom was as much an OBJ
ject of curiosity as the other.
Those of them whom saw, both men and wo-
men, vastly superior in their personal appear
ance to the maritime tribes and # they may be re-
garded as fair specimen of their people, should
have no hesitation in PrOnouncg them the finest At
ricans whom have ever met with. They wear no
clothing except piece Of cloth made OF the inner
bark of tree. This is drawn between the legs and
astened around the loins by cord. Nor do they
covet cloth. On the other hand they jeer the BUSH
men of this region, by telling them that they wear
cloth to conceal their personal defects, and their ex
ternal diseases. Both men and women braid their
hair with a great deal of taste. The women braid
the hair the forepart of the head in two rows
which lie the forehead not unlike the riIl of
cap. That the back part is plated into five six
braids which reach below the shoulders.
The men are of medium stature, remarkably well
formed, healthy in their appearance, and manly in
their department They had knives, spears, travel
ling bags, and other artces of curious and ingenious
workmanship, specimens Of which we procured for
very small quantity of beads. All of their imple-
ments made of iron of their own, which is con-
sidered vastly superior to any brought to the country
by trading vessels. They set no value upon cloth,
and yet have acquired taste for tobacco
rum. Beads, powder and brass they prize very high
ly and were willing to give away any thing they had
for the smallest quantities Of either OF these They
represent their country mountainous and heathful,
and affirm that cutaneous and other diseases common
to the maritime regions unknown among them.
They have never participated in the slave trade, and
regard it, as is by unnatural in their cir
cumsances, with the utmost adherence.
One or two instances known where they have
visited attempts to enslave their people with signal
vengeance 1t is difficult TO define the limits and ex-
tent of their country Perhaps The most westerly
border Of what is known as the Pangwe territory was
within one hundred and fifty miles Of the coast and
from thence it may extend many hundred miles into
the Interior and possibly spread itself over large
portion of the south side Of the Mountains of the
Moon. Their country is represented immensely
populous but could not learn that they had any very
large powerful organizations. They are aware
that vessels visit the opposite coast, and they affirm
that they have seen articles of merchandise brought
from that quarter. am inclined to think that the
Pangwe people migrating in large bodies towards
the coast If SO the intermediate bushmen, weaken
ed as they are by the slave trade must inevitably be
supplaned."