The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-06
TRADE ON THE VEST AFRICAN COAST
1ts Customs Have Changed Little In Fifty
Nenrs-Nat SO Probable New.

~ ~ hMuNe ehhuHOu hlttNto N So
Nenrs-Not So Prsntnbie New.
Tho methods OF trading on the west coast Of
Africa have changed very little in the last fifty
years. There is much improvement in commu-
~nication with civilized countries. but the natives
themselves arc the same old "heathens who in
their blindness bow down to wood and stone"
The climate has a great deal to do with this. and
tho always hot and malarious country makes
great activity impossible. 1t 10 only when We
read Of possible international complications,
caused by tho traders of one European country
that we find that the trade is worth lighting for.
This Is notably the fact just now on tho Upper
Tiger. where me French traders and the Eng;
Niger Company have differences to settle. The
French traders used formerly to conane their
and other minor places, and for some years they
have had n railroad in operation in tho region
have been more progressive and arc yying with
England and Germany for prestige in numer-
munication right down to the Gold Coast, and It
promises to DO continued down the west ana
southwest coasts until it reaches Cape Colony
and forms n belt connection with the telegraph
up the east coast Of Africa.
From the old days when Liverpool and Bristol
vessels INDUCED In slave trading as q side issue
until quite recently smart briggs and schooners
would. go out to the coast with q cargo Of mer-
chandise and the Captain would BIO both trader
and navigator. He would visit q number of
small places and barter his cargo on board his
ivory. e gold dS Ss,n II, "G Other e%G nat q9%s" prodsc q.
and each vessel would take. besides her crew.
1t is said that often a cask of salt, which might
be worth So. has been exchanged for a cask OF
The trade has long ceased TO DO so lucrative,
and though business Is still conducted by barter
and one other things for produce, it is very
rarely that q vessel will trade on her own ac-
sSins tr There re are several tSs Lines e Of mail steam.
ports. and the merchants have trading sta
lions or factories ashore where they receive
it for produce which they prepare for home
shipment; On the northwest coast. in the
in reality our peanatsHare enitiVated
and shipped from the principal port, bathurst,
oil oStriteted. Going sgs south tfu the ne aHu bort Sv a OF inn.
portance is Monrovin. the capital Of the little
republic Of Liberia, called often tho American
n large town, and civilized in comparison with
many other places; in fact. 1t 10 compulsory to
is hereabonts, with its numerous trading sta
tions, and from this vicinity large quantities of
comes to Lagos and the Gold Coast. with Cape
Coast Castle and Acera as important military
stations. From this district a quantity OF gold
and ivory is received and in many places rubber
and small quantities of cotton. Further down
mouth Of the great Niger. are depots where large
hulks are anchored to receive merchandise and
that run up the great river. An enormous trade
in palm oil is done up the Niger.
As one goes south. Gaboon, another French
settlement. is an important point. and here
and further south still rubber is taken in
it WIGS in quality with the fno South American
products. The Congo River is becoming very
productive. and down in this part OF the coast
you go still further south to the Portu-
guese settlement of st. Paul de Loanda
the country is healthier and tho climate
good. Lately the merchants are trying to
cultivate cotton and jute. and the latter
rival the best qualities OF tho East Indies. Palm
oil. is not so valuable as it used to be. the low
price of cottonsced oil and tallow affecting 1t
manufacture of soap and candles.