, 1853-03-05
African Exploration.

Lltut Lynch, Of the United Statcs Navy,
who acted as Superintendent of tire latc
Dead Sea Expedition, has recently embark
ed at New Yok for London, whence he
will proceed in the now British line of
steamers for Africa The object of the
mission upon which he has entered, under
the orders of the Government, is 10 make
certain inquiries and arrangements prelimi-
nary to an int nded exploration of the West
Coast Of Africa. It is certainly a matter
worthy to excite general interest and ap-
probation hat the United States have at
last determined TO investigate the physical
character and resources Of country which
is rapidly growing into commercial import
ancc, aud that so competent an officer has
been chosen by the Executive to take the
initiative steps in the movement.
Since the period when the first efforts
were made to civiize region which nature
has endowed with rare fertility and produc>
tyenesf, much encouraging change has been
effected in the moral and political condition
of number Of the African tribes, and thro'
the happy agency Of the knowledge of me-
chanic arts and acquired hibts of industry,
they have made themselves and the respec-
tive districts OF territory which they mhabit
objects Of lively and increasing solicilude
to the mercantile as well as the philanthrop-
ic enterprise Of the age. Great Britain,
acluated by that iar-sighted and prudent
policy which has contributed so largely 10
extend her empire and her wealth, began
very long ago TO form a connection with
Western Africa, having founded her present
settlement at Sierra Leone as early as 1857.
Her exertions in the cause of civilization
in that quarter, stimulated, as they doubt
less were, by motives Of ultimate advantage
to her commerce, have been already richly
rewarded in the fruits of most valuable
and expanding trade with the natives and
we may gather potent incentive 10 emula-
tion in the work of cultivating intimate re-
lations Of intercourse and traffic with tho
same people from a statement of the prog
ress and proftableness Of the commercial
dealings between them and British mer-
chants, In 1927, England received from
Africa but little more than $4,000 worth OF
palm oil. At present she imports a guam
tity Of the annual value Of $800,000. In
1885, forty-seven bushels Of ground nuts
were exported from the Gambia; now, be-
tween eight and ten millions of bushels arc
yearly exported. In addition to the above
named articles, vast supplies of ginger, ivo-
ry, gum arabic, gold dust, and other pro-
ducts Of the country, are exported in Eng
lish ships.
The resources Of Scnegambia, Liberia,
and Upper Guinea, in all the products of
the tropics, are unlimited and with the
Advancement of these States in industrial
skill and social improvement, those various
and exhausilcss stores of material wealth in
which they abound, will be more and more
successfully developed, and the trade Of
which they constitute the staples will pro-
portionaIely enlarge. 1t is asserted by in
telligent men who are informed, from per-
sonal observation, Of the capabilities of the
soil on the West Coast, that indigo and cot
ton may be produced to an almost indefinite
extent. The latter plant is beginning 10 be
raised in considerable quantities, and the
opinion prevails that when enterprise and
attention arc properly devoted to its culture,
and the necessary facilities of transit are
provided for conveying it to a market, the
production Of cotton will become an impor-
tant and extensive element Of African COM
mercP.
The sugar-cane, also, finds, under the
same ardent sun, Aourishing growth, and
local industry is already turned with most
auspicious results to its cultivation. Indi-
vidual planters have raised in one year as
much as three thousand pounds of SUGAR.
Moreover, labor is invested most proftably
in growing rice, gathering grapes and or
anges, Which are found every where in wild
luxuriance, and in preparing for commerce
the native lumber, among which are the
rose, cane, palm, and other equally yalua-
bic woods.
In brief, no intelligent man who has Civ
en- any attention 10 the subject can fail to
see that the West Coast of Africa is rapidly
assuming condition and attitude in relation
to comm, rec and civilization which promise
highly important consequences, and should
engage the serious regard Of our Govern
ment. The step just taken in the mission
of Lieut. Lynch is very commendablc one,
and we hope 10 see it followed up with the
vigor and libcrality which the object so en-
inenily deserves as a national question:
North American.
Ba- The gloomiest knel that rings over
Il r r.