The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-05
West Coast OF ifritu.

Lieutenant Lynch, of the L. S. Ma
Wy, who acted as Superintendent OF the
late Dead Sea Expedition, has recently
embarked at New York for London,
whence he will proceed in the new Brit
ish Line of steamers for Africa. The
object of the mission upon which he has
entered under the orders of the Gov
ernment, is TO make certain inquiries
and arrangements preliminary to an in
tended exploration of the West coast of
Africa. 1t certainly is matter worthy
TO excite general interest and approba-
ton that Abe United States has at last
determined TO investigate the physical
character and resources Of country
which is rapidly growing into CONNER.
cial importance, and that so competent
an officer has been chosen by the Exec
utive to take the initiative steps in the
movement.
Since the period when the first efforts
were made to civilize a region. which
nature had endowed with rare fertility
and productiveness, much has been ef-
fected in the moral and political condi-
ton of number Of the African tribes,
and through the happy agency of the
knowledge of mechanic arts and acquir-
ed habits of industry, they have made
themselves and the respective districts
of territory which they inhabit objects
ola lively and increasing solictude to the
mercantile as well as the philantbropic
enterprises Of the age. Great Britain,
actuated by that far-sighied and prudent
policy which has contributed so largely
to extend her empire and her wealth,
began very long ago to form a connee-
ton with Western Africa, having found
ed her present settlemen ent at Sierra Le-
one as early as 1887.
Her exeriions in the cause Of ciyiliza-
ton in that quarter, stimulated as they
doubtless were, by motives of ultimate
advantage to her commerce, have been
already richly rewarded in the fruits of
a most valuable and expanding trade
with the natives and we may gather
potent incentive to emulation in the
work Of cultivating intimate relations of
intercourse and traffic with the same
people from a statement of the progress
and proftableness Of the commercial
dealings between them and the British
merchants. In 1927, England received
from Africa but little more than four
thousand dollars worth Of palm oil. At
present she imports quantity Of he
annual value Of eight hundred thousand d
dollars. In 1885, forty-seven bushels
OF ground nuts were exported from Gam
bia now, between eight and nine mil
lions of bushels are yearly exported
In addition TO the above named articles,
vast supplies of ginger, ivory, gum ara
bic, gold dust, and other products Of the
country, are exported in English ships
The resources Of Senegambia, Libe-
ria, and upper Guinea, in all the prod
ucts Of the tropics are unlimited, and
with the advance ment Of these states
in industrial skill and social improve
meni, those various and exhausiless
stores Of material wealth in which they
abound, will be more and more success
fully developed, and the trade Of which
they constitute the staples will proper
tionaiely enlarge. IL Is asserted by in
telligebt men who are informed, from
personal observation, Of the capabilitie.
Of the soil Of The west coast, that indigo
and cotton may be produced TO an al
most indefinite extent. The latter plant
is beginning TO be raised ia considerable
quantities, aud the opinion prevails that
when enterprise aud attention are prop
crly devoted to its culture, and the nee
essary facilities Of transit Ase provided
for conveying il to market, The produe-
lion Of cotton will become An important
and extensive element of African CON.
nerce. The siRar-cane, also finds IN
der the same ardent sunshine, -four.
ishing growth and local industry is al
ready turned with mosl Auspicious re-
suits 10 iis cultivation. Indis dual plaa-
ter. have raised in one year a. much az
three ihoa,and pounds o. sugar More
over, labor i invested mos, fro6iably IN
growing rice, gathering 10 Wild luYui-
snoe, and Ia preparing for commerce the
native lumber, among shich are ihr
rose, palm, and other equally valuable
{ AooAs.
In brief 10 intelligent man. vho las
Z Eisen any attention 70 the sstjeei, can
iaii 10 sse that the Sest coast u Ainea
is rapidly assuming condition asd ai-
iliiije in relation 70 oommefre As4 ci,i-
Aaaiion sh.eh promise hlsLly imPouan,