The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-09-10
The English in Africa.

We lately noticed the proceedings Of
mooting held in New York for the pur-
pose of taking measures Cor the immedi-
ate exploration of the portion Of the in
terror Of Africa lying west of Liberia,
and of the wide field there presented for
colonization and commerce. By late
English papers it appears that project is
on foot in England for the exploration Of
central Africa, lying west of Mozambique
channel, or which, with more prCprioty,
might be called Southern Africa though
between ten and twenty degrees north Of
the Cape of Good Hope.
OF this region very little is known, ex.
cept by the Portuguese, who have long
held possession of the opposite coast on
the Atlantic, known as Congo and Ben.
gucla. Between Sofala Bay, on the Mos
ambiquc channel, and tho Atlantic, lies
country scarcely yet explored, about
twenty five degrees in breadth. and in-
creasing towards the north. Some intre.
pid travellers have venturcd few hun
dred miles from the coast on either side,
but beyond this little is known. DR..
Livingston, an English traveller now in
that country,hos accomplished more than
any one who has heretofore attempted to
explore it.
Portions of the eastern coast on the
Mozambique channel, and near Dclagoa
bay, are visited by both English and
American vessels, which carry on a par.
ftable trade with th , natives who come
down from the interior This Delagoa
bay is the finest on the eastern coast, be-
ing forty miles broad by twenty-six in
length, and contains excellent harbors
Several large and deep rivers empty in
to this bay or uoar by which are navigab!e
for hundreds of miles, andaow through a
thickly populated country, aboundipg in
the animal and Vegetable products Of that
latitude The region is beyond the
English settlements which properly ap-
pertain to the Cape Of Good Hope, yet,
we think, England claims jurisdiction
over it, and have some small trading cs.
adjustments on the coast.
\ considerable traie was formerly
carried on here for gold and iv,ry which,
with a little effort. might be renewed Shd
extended. In the interior. north aud
west of Natal lies tn, new Dutch Rcpnb-
lie, called Trans FuaL, 300miies long by
go broad or nearly as large as the State
of New York. This is wholly peopled
by the Dutch, who have left the British
settlements near the Cape, and is said
now to number from $4,000 to 10000
white inhabitants. Within the bouudar-
les Of this republic, and in close proxim.
isy to it, are verious native tribes, num-
bering nearly 100000. Hitherto most
Of the produce and all the supplies of
this State have passed through Natal, a
British State but should the plan bo
successful of opening a commerce by
means of the rivers which empty into
Delagoa Bay, it will be Of the greatest
advantage, not only to the Dutch State
by rendering it moro independent in a
commercial point of view, but in greatly
extending the commerce with the nations
further i'll the interior.
The climate of Southern Africa is
known to be very salubriOus, and well
adapted to European constitutions. No
colonies have fourished moro than the
Dutch, or the English since they became
the masters. During the last twenty
years, the settlements have been much
extended towards the interior, particula-
ry by the Dutch. who prefer to be dis
connected from the English settlers un.
til they have at last set up new repub
lie of their own. as we have stated. But
there is vast region beyond, presenting
great advantages for settlers, the lands
being productive aud well watered, 1t
is this district to which the English are
now turning their attention. PROP
idcRcc Journal