Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-20
Explorations Of Central Africa.

Mr.. Robert Campbell, who formed one Of tho
Niger Valley Exploring Expedition, sent out
from tho United States, is experimenting the
preparation Of a narrative Of the results Of their
Investigations, which promises to be very inter
esting Some Of the facts he has already made
public in brief pamphlet and possess special in
tereat so far as they are designed to overcome
the prejudices against African colonization Of
the free colOred people Of this country, and pre-
pare the way for the settlement Of every promis-
ing portion Of Central Africa. Mr. Campbell
landed at Lagos, Gulf of Guinea, July 90
1859, "a place containing about 10000 inhabiS
tants,) from whence the city Of Able okuta lie
inland distance Of about 90 miles. The riv-
or Ogun connects these points, also wagon
road the former being naygablo for vessels Of
Eve fec! draft during about eight month"; of the
year. Mr. G. says he " never saw a more beau
tifnl country than can be seen along the mar
gin Of the Ogun, from twenty miles out OF Lag
os to Abbeokuta, Astounding with game, and
the scenery is unsurpassed" Good timber a
bounds through the entire distance, suitable for
lumber or fuel. Tho city Of AbbeokutN is one
OF the NEST remarkable in Africa, containing
100000 inhabitants, surrounded by wal ov
CT 5000 Of whom are enamel patCd slaves from
tho Drnzils, Cuba, &c, In some instances
these people are highly cultivated, being engag-
ed aS teachers, clergymen and merchants, aud
wnhal aro represented US Industrious and enter
prisng, Mr.. Campbell regards lhom 40 having
- been the means Of inaugnrating mighty
work, which now, that it has accomplished lis
utmost, mast DC continued in a higher form by
the more civilized Of the same race, who for
thousand rcasons, IRA best adapted 10 It's success
ful prosecution.
Three days journey from Abbeokuto north
easterly direction is tho town Of Tjayc, contain
ing population of80 900 or 90, 900, and belong
ing to the Yoruba Kingdom Another day's
journey in the samo direction is Oso, the cap
isal Of tbs kingdom; also, lb4dan q powerful
town while nearly cast Of Abbcokua is
Yoruban, with nearly 100000 inhabitants
| I.jayo is tho center Of large trade. All these
places aro worry healthy, and the commercial
and agricultural prospects excellent, needing on
ly the energy and enterprise Of intelligent col
ored Americans to work out grand results. In
the year 1859 there were sent 10 the British
market from Abb1okusa Geo bales or 72G, 600
poGnds Of cotton. Thia plant being perennial
in Africa, Is cultivated with eaGo. Other 81,
ricli.uIal products comprise palm oil, Indian
corn, which is now raised fer export, sweet po-
! 'stoF, yans, rice, boans, arrow ROCKY ginger,
sugar cano, Pine apples, unrivaled oranges and
banana. There is also variety Of domestic
animals and fowl, gtone for building plenty of
rich iron ere, aud the Ogun furnishes a coed
wafer power.
In his pamphlet, above referred 10, Mr.. G.
says " Tbs native authorities every where, from
Lagos TO llorin, ars willing to receive civilized
people among them aa aettIers 1t 10 hardly
fair to eay ,nsroly that they are willing, they
hail the event with joy. They know and sp-
p,ecato the blessings which must aeorae to
iAsm by aa3h accessions.