The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-01-05
COmmercial Aspeet or centraI Alr1ca.


Commercial Aspect Of Central AfrIca.
An interesting lecture was recently de-
hyered by Rev. DR.. Bowen, before the
Mercantile Library Association, N. York.
upon the commercial resources of Central
Africa, and the practicability of opening
a large and profitable trade between TINT
section of the world and the United
States. Mr.. Bowen is tf opinion, from
personal experience, that trade (now
paying 80 to so per cent, profl,) to the
amount of thirty millions per annum.
can be established with the River Niger
which he calls the Mississippi of Africa.
From its delta to its source, we are told
by MIR. B., it is more than three thou
sand miles in length. In no place is it
less than half mile wide, and throughout
its entire length would be navigable to
Mississippi steamboats,. It's principal trib-
utaries are navigable for more than fif
teen hundred miles. The immense dis
trict drained by the Niger and its
branches, is rich in undeveloped resources.
The palm tree grows in luxurious profu-
sion, and from its nut oil, for the supply
Of the worlds tfNjc,could be mauufactur-
ed. Cotton, of a hug and firm staple, il
is believed can be easily produced, and an
immense trade in indieS> African silk.
ivory and skins, could be established with
facility. The great reason wRNthe Eng
lish have not succeeded better M their
attempts 10 establish trade, is because
they have confined their operations sno-
ply TO ports along the banks of the Nh.
ger, aud left the great interior country
unexplored. Trading posts should be
established in the interior, in order to
break up the vast traffic that finds its
way across the deserts. Around these
stations large towns would spring up,
which would soon become The nucieuses
Of civilization. Mr.. Bowen pictured the
country in glowing colors. No one he
said, who had ever lived there and be-
came acquainted with the resources Of
WfIsSl sl!ail seuS, 81 I... ll:...s g..,.s
VIII steamers, to'openNp p07Mie there,
will be repaid in marvellous manner.
Mr.. Bowen's explorations have been
confined almost wholly to that portion OF
Western Africa, extending along the Riv-
yer Niger, and as far eastward as Lake
Tschak. The mountains of Africa are
somewhat remarkable as to their confg-
uration. There are no regular chains
they consist entirely Of isolated peaks,
shaped like saddle-backs, and usually
densely covered with wood. Some are
but gigantic boulders Of granite rock, ris-
ing thousands of feet above the plains
Mr.. B. travelled up the st. Paul river
about hundred miles from its mouth
At this distance the stream was over 800
yards in width. Almost the entire SUR
face of Africa, presents but vast undu-
lating plain, which bears unmistakable
evidence OF its once having heen cultiva-
ted, and the home Of a mighty popula-
ton. All over the country are TO be
seen "trays," worn in tho rocks by
process used by the natives for grinding
their corn. Between Lake Tschak and
the Niger, there is an immense table land,
rising thousands of feet above the ocean.
The Great Deserts, from the time of Her
odotus, have been represented rs vast
desolations. Nothing could be more in
correct according TO Mr.. Bowen's account.
1t is every where inhabited, and contains
within itself two great Republics, having
q literature among the oldest in existence.
The mineral wealth of the country has
been but little explored. Iron, we are
told, is found in every hill. The ruins Of
ancient smelling furnaces are numerous.
Copper and lead are TO be found in
abundance. Gold in quantities. The
gold region extends over thousand
miles of this district. The seasons are
characterized by temporales commencing
in March and September. The heat is
rarely above ninety degrees. The eli
mate is exceedingly healthy in certain
districts, none more so than the country
along the River Niger. Mr.. Bowen dwelt
somewhat upon the capacity of the ma
tives, forsceing for the educated African
an opportunity for developing the vast
resources of the country to an almost un-
limited extent.
~ When Won have lost money In the