The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-07-26
AFRICAN CARRIERS.
The Manner In Which Merchandise Is
transported In the Congo State.

Ahc auh III "hICu MtFcItNuutbp -
Transported In the Congo State.
Ten years ago when Mr.. Stanley
reached the foot OF the cataracts on
the Congo he was confronted by a very
serious difficulty. He had two little
steamboats, and a large lot of mer-
chandise, 1880 loads altogether.
which he wished to carry up the river,
and his force of carriers numbered
only seventy Zanzibars and 100 Lo-
angos. In vain he besought tho
native chiefs to supply him with car
riers. The tribes along the river cared
nothing for his trade goods il they
must leave their homes and travel I'M
der heavy burdens to obtain them.
Only once in awhile would the natives
consent to give a hand at the ropes by
which his engines were hauled on
trucks, and they invariably declined
to accompany him nor than three or
four miles from their village. Stanley
had hoped to secure all the carriers he
needed along the river, and the utter
failure of this part of his scheme de-
layed for nearly two years explora-
tons that he had expected to accom-
plish in a few months.
Not a few critics of African enter
prises have asserted that the native
African can not be made to work ex-
cept under the overseer's lash, and
that all efforts to c~ivilize him are
destined to failure. A very remark
able and conclusive answe is af-
forded by the wonderful development
of the carrier service between the Low
er Congo and Stanley Pool. All the
carriers in the transport service Of the
government, merchants and mission
of the Congo State are natives
who live along the river, and these
natives, who refused to lend q
helping hand to Stanley ten years ago
last year over 1000, 900 pounds
OF merchandise, stores and machinery
the 235 miles of Congo cataracts.
In other words, they transported g.
800 loads, or an average weight of a
over 50 pounds. The transport
service, which four years after STAN
began his work amounted to only
200 loads, increased to 1000 loads
1855, and to 80, 900 loads In 1887.
What has wrought this t%ransforma-
lion in tribes along the Congo, u few
years ago unwilling to carry a pound
the white mans luggage and to-day
he eager competitors for all the
traffic he has for them2 The
is very simple. The natives
nave learned to prize so highly the cot
on cloths, cutlery, fint-locks and
tnick-knacks the white man brings to
hem that they will work in order to
them.
1t was a happy day when Stanley
at last able to induce a few of the
Jabindas to shoulder his packages. As
lime went on the natives observed tina
he Cabindas were becoming prosper
Jus, possessing many an article OF value
which they coveted. 1t was not long
before a few here and there began to
'olunteer for the carrier service, and
Ifter awhile every one OF them had
possessions that greatly enhanced his
Importance. Thus the growing desire
or wealth developed, and two years
go there was IL rush for employment
n the carrier service. The needs OF
he state, however, and the sudden de-
'elopment OF commercial enterprises
the Upper Congo have more than
,ept pace with the supply of carriers.
he transport service, which has de-
eloped into a large and w%ell-organ-
zed business, is still inadequate to the
emand, and no carrier presents him
elf for employment who is not soon
on the road as a member of |.
e~avy-laden caravan.
In view of SANKEY'S early difficulties
o one would have thought that thou
ands of Africans would so 0 have
cen eagerly and regularly contribute.
,g to planting and nourishing the
seds OF progress along the banks of
lie great river. The friends OF tho
aw state car certainly derive hope for
lie future from this remarkable devel-
p,rment OF transportation upon the
oDEo- At e. q.