The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-11-22

| 20 anu 70 utpTccs, COIslstIuS VI eiA SIcat
falls, terminating all navigation that
might be established aboye the lower Sc
ries, which consists Of sixty-two impor-
tant falls and rapids, though there are
many minor rapids do not think neces-
sary to include In the list. | remember
when abort starting from Nyangwc |
told Frank that | hoped | should find the
cataracts in slump"
Once above the lower contracts we
have the half of Africa before rs with no
interruption, and not, like the lower Nile
regions, deserts of sand but one vast pop
ulous plain-so populous, indeed, that
Excepting Ugogo, know no part OF AT
rica so thickly inhabited. The usual term
village is misnomer for most of the col
lecsons of dwellings; they are towns, in
some places two miles long. with one or
more broad streets between the rows OF
neat, well built houses. The houses are
superior to anything in East Central AT.
rica. The natives are different also. Eve.
ry thought seemed engrossed with trade
and fairs and markets are established
everywhere.
There has been q suspicion generally
entertained that ivory must soon become
a curiosity; but can youch that at least
I 1t will not be so tor three or four genera
Llono. THIS is the land OF ivory stems
PIES" or idol enclosures, where the COM
mOnsst utensils for domestic use are
made of ivory. The people do not seem
able to comprehend why any one should
| take the trouble to pay for 1t when 1t is so
plentiful in each village.
The entire plain is also distinguished
for its groves of the oil palm. In Ukusu
there are huge forests of this tree. AL
most everything that Africa produces ia
to be obtained in the Congo basin--cot-
ten, india rubber. groundnuts, sesamum
copal fred and white), palm kernals and
palm oil, ivory. etc. BY means of the
Congo journey to the gold and copper
district of Katanga is rendered, however,
very easy.
The Congo river gives 10 miles below
and S35 miles above the cataracts OF nayi-
gable water, while the great aflluents
north and south, traversing the basin.
give oyer 1900 miles and perhaps much
more. The greatest atlluent, the Ikelem-
ba, is over 1000 miles in length; the
Ukuta river 700, the Arnwim must be
over 500, while there are four or five 9th.
ers, which, by their breadth, should
judge to be nayigable for great distances
would not advise any solitary explorer
to venture near the Cannibal lands, un.
less he wishes trouble, but the influence
Of trade, once it is established on an
equitable basis, will soon reduce those
natives also to reason.
A trader ascending the river has bet>
ter chance OF ingratiatlng himself with
the natives than an exporter descending
the river from region whittier no trad
ing native dared to venture. AS he must
halt q considerable time for business at
each capital, his reputation for being
just and good will precede him and bring
him hosts OF customers. Indeed, the
great difficulty will be TO restrain their in
ordinate love OF barter. The islands on
river will afford him safe camps and quiet
retreats, and 1t will BIZ better for the trad,
er and the native to occupy island depots
noar the mainland until mutual uonn.
dence Ia thoroughly established.
teel convinced that the Congo ques-
ton will become political question In
time. AS yet, however, no European
power seems to have the right OF control.
Portugal claims it because she discover
ed its mouth; but the great powers
England, America and France-reiuse to
recognize her right, and express their
determination, in plain terms, to dispute
her possession OF the river. Ii it were
not that fear to damp any interest you
may have in Africa or in this magnificent
river by the length of my letters, could
show you very strong reasons why it
would be polite deed to settle this Con.
60 question Immediately.
lcould prove to you that the possessor
OF the Congo, despite the cataracts, would
absorb to himself the trade Of the whole
enormous basin behind, which extends
across thirteen degrees of longitude and
over fourteen degrees of latitude. The
Congo is, and will be the great highway
CT commerce to West Central Africa. If
50, why should it be left in dispute as to
who shall rule the lower river and its
banks! Why should it be left to the
mercy Of the piratical Mussolongos? l
hear that British men OF war have been
castigating those scoundrels lately with
bombshells In more determined manner
than ] have been publishing the piratical
| cannlb0ls on the eastern border OF the
Great Basin; and probably about the
| same period.
But merely castigating these people is
not enough; there should be vessels OF
| war to prevent such deeds as the deStruc-
tlon of European ships; and the question
| is: what power shall be deputed in the
name OF humanity to protect the youth
OF commerce in this little known world.
An explorer is seldom called upon for the
expression of his views, nor would YEN
ture on this ground or NEEDLE in the
matter If l did not feel so very strong an
Interest In Africa. But will present you
with an example OF what might come Ia
pass if the question be not settled.
A number of European
merchants interested in African
commerce construct houses amp
stores and depots on the Congo, say on
either bank, north or south, The ma
tives, troubled with indigestion or bad
a.oan,e, taAoit iuto their heads that il
would be a fine thing to rob the white
people, and burn their dwellings and de.
pots and murder them. The thing is
done, pandenonlum is re-enacted. the
newspapers and public opinion hear the
! news and expressions OF "shame" on ali
the powe.s interested are very loud and
strong. British men of-war hurry nm
and lombard every body, or to use an OK.
pressiye, though vul0or ,,hroso e..