The sun., 1897-08-01

Trnr. Tor American Merchants I.nid by Natives
or the West Coast or ArricA.

"t thc west Coast CT Afrlcn.
Along tho west coast OF Africa the merchants
arc divided into two classos-thoso that arc
honest and those that aren't. The second class
IL made up largely OF natives who have boon
educated at the Government or mission schools
and have added to the trickery of tho Africans
some knowledge OF modern commercial lifo As
soon ne these educated, or Christian Kafflrs, as
they are called. reach certain stage OF develop,
mont they arm themselves with library of
business directories, and become pirates In tho
world OF trade Their method 10 to write to
manufacturers and dealers In all parts Of tho
world, asking for samples OF goods and Offering
tempting inducements for the opening of trade.
They frequently get consignmcnts OF samples
from small manufacturers. who think that by
selling to the native merchants they can reap
larger profit than By dealing through tho COM
mission houses.
Tho manufacturer ships his samples to the
native in Cape Coast Castle, Victoria Bridge or
Acca. and Is obliged to prepay the freight. Tho
native gets tho samples on paying small i'm.
port duty. and promptly sells them in the In
terror. II he is audacious he may order some
goods. promising to pay for them after selling
them. and some manufacturers have been
caught q second and oven q third time by the
game Tho manufacturer has practically no re-
dress. The courts arc imperfect and n success
iul prosecution for conversion is rarity. II the
machinery Of the law is put into motion the Of
fender leaves the settlements and disappears in
tho interior. where he stays until the storm
spends itself.
All that the victim gets Is some amusement
from tho letters sent to him by his African cor.
respondent The cringing requests for goods are
expressed In the most ridiculous language, tho
na,iyes m being proud Of their English and anxious
70 exhihit II. Here are samples OF the letters
that are received in nearly every mail from the
West Coast By large house in this city. The
hrst Is from Cape Coast Castle:
CAPE COAST CASTLE 9Th June 1897
"GENTlEMEN: Having been informed that you
are one OF the best manufacturers and traders in
selling out African produce to the so.cailed men
, as merchants 1t necessarily devolves upon me
city of carrying on trading with you il You
should be so good as to send me per the very
Lists and catalogues which yon possess on hand.
l could have at once sent an q rider per this
steamer for some goods, had but previously
bestow great kindness upon me and that you
Blu; shall be to the utmost of my power in the
same condition OF making some returns for the
upon me, Awaiting reply per the first steamer.
paper described as some % Of our Afrcan sa news news
paper:
VERONA BRIDGE.
w Z
"4th June, 1897.
"SIR: have the pleasure most respectfully
to write and ask you II you will be good
enough as TO carry on trade correspondence
with me. notice your name and address
| from certain newspaper. beg to ask your
favour to send me all sorts of your samples. or
| goods you got on hand, that may see and select
what is suitable for my market and send my
Orders as quick as possible. hope you shall
not fail TO comply with my request as I am
wishing to see your samples, Price list and Gen
eral Illustrated Catalogue; and In so doing you
shall be highly recommended. Sir, l enclose
you some OF our African newspaper.
Il am yours truly, -"
1t is said that most OF the fricans reared In
the native villages are honest. Those " no get
smattering OF an European education. however,
adopt the white mans faults. while paying little
| attention TO his virtues. Many of the swindlers.
| too, OF mixed blood having a strain OF
Portuguese. Spanish, or English in them. The
pure blooled natives, fresh from the interior,
are preferred as servants by the householders
| Such notices as the following, clipped from
Coast Newspaper are common and show that the
| tended:
R2o REWARD!
Stolen from my stable during March last. bay
pony (gelding short black tail and slight
build. In hard low condition. white star forehead,
age six years. height 1881.
R1O REWARD
for the apprehension Of the thief OF above pony
dressed. has round face, prominent eyes, bloate1
ohHeks aud an old scar side OF the face;
ally carries umbrella u hymn book, and talks
little English. z. ]. REYSoLDs Surgeon. Estcourt.