Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-10-22
From the London Spectator.
Progress of Discovery in Central Africa.

Progress of Discovery in Central Africa.
While more than one State Government is
laundering away at measures of proved use
lessness TO mitigate the horrors of ba.baritV
on the sea-board of Western Africa, a Liver
pool merchant and a sea captain have pens-
trated the interior, and have surveyed tho
highway not only to that inner regisn, but TO
the civilization of Africa. Mr.. Robert jamie
son, OF Liverpool, has collected the means
and planned the enterprise with a disinterest-
ed perseverance and zeal for discovery far
above the mere trading spirit of the times
Nh. Becroit has immortaliZed himself as one
OF the most daring, most discreet, and most
Intelligent of English DISCOVERIES. In spite
OF the obstacles, aggravated rather than re-
moved by the proceedings of the English Go
vernment-in spite of The most disastrous
mischances-Mr. Becreft has succeeded in
establishing the fact that the interior is ac-
cessible fer navigation and trade. He has
thrown light on the interior navigation up to
Tinhuctoo, insomuch that only forty miles
OF the river remains to be explored-ihe part
between Lever, his highest point, and Bous-
sab, Parks lowest; the great water way be-
ing the key to several regions Of beautiful
and fertile country, peopled by divers races,
and atiording opportunities for legitimate
Of indefinite extension. The low
er Niger and its branches penetrate an i'm
menss delta, containing thousands of miles
of richly fertile and wooded country. The
unhealthy climate extends only for a limited
! space inwards, and as you ascend the river
the healthiness becomes equal to that of the
tropics generally. This region is inhabited
by negro races, warlike, rude, yet not desti-
tute of civilization, and eager for trade. On
the middle Niger, above lddah, the inhabi-
tants assume more Of the Arab aspect, are
more civilized, congregate in towns so large
that one is mentioned which is computed 10
contain twenty thousand inhabitants, but the
people are less eager for trade. They are
preiudiced against strangers from the West
by the Arab dealers, who come to them in
caravans across the continent, and strive TO
: exclude rivals from The market. This preiu-
/, dice, however, does not seem to be very pow
erlul and the trade which can repay the toll
some transit across the continent by land is
sure to remuneraie traders who come by the
comparatively short and easy path of the riv-
: err. Inc requisites Tor a successful trade
with the inhabitants of the Niger are now
well ascertained by the experience of Mr.. Be-
croft and his fellow-voyagers in the Ethiope
steamer. First, you want iron steamers of
less draught and greater engine power, for
by such vessels not only the Niger but its
Tahaddah branch might be ~navigated at al
HlpSt M StdsonS OF lHt year. / on want OF
fcers like Mr.. Becrofi, of hardy constitution,
Injured TO the climate, of brave spirit. discreet
and shrewd. You want trading managers,
capable of accommodating their manners 10
the hayward dealings of a rude people, and
able to estimate the value of produce little
: known. \ on want crews mostly of African
/, blood, and, at all events, of sufficient stami-
ma to bear the climate. 1t is obvious that Of
; fciency of navigation, the power to move ra-
pidly, and tact in dealing with the natives,
are requisites far more important than mere
armed forces. Ivory, vegetable tallow, pep
pers, indigo, cotton, wool, palm oil, a sort of
Q calavances or haricot beans, ~dyc-woods, tim
Der woods, skins, and a great variety of pro-
duce that is but slightly known, invite the
= trader. The sole desideratum is thorough
$ efficiency in the means Of navigating the riv-
q eE, and 1t is evident that a of in
3 definite extension will repay any sums laid
/ out in thoroughly establishing that efficiency
r of navigation. OF course the free blacks ed.
ucated in the West Indian trade will become
r useful workmen in penetrating the native
a land of their race. We must depend, at leas
for generations to come, on the black race Il
supply the bulk of the crew.