May 5. 1812.
At a time when our ancient rivals and enemies are exerting all
their powers to destroy the British commerce, and have nearly
effected their gigantic schemes of cutting off all communication
between Great Britain and the various ports, states, and kingdoms
of Europe; at such a time when we are in imminent danger of losing
427 the markets of a quarter of the globe, it becomes essentially
important to discover other channels for our commerce, and other
markets for our manufactures.
In this point of view, the information lately communicated to the
public by Mr. James Grey Jackson, in his "Travels in Africa,"
becomes highly interesting to the statesman as well as to the
merchant. From the account which he has given of the city of
Timbuctoo, and its commercial relations, there is great reason to
conclude, that if we could find means to open and maintain a safe
and easy communication with that great emporium, and with the rich,
fertile, and populous regions in its vicinity, we might acquire a
market for our manufactures, that would in time compensate for the
loss of that of Europe.
In the warehouses of Timbuctoo, are accumulated the manufactures of
India and of Europe; and from thence the immense population that
dwells upon the banks of the Niger is supplied. There is no doubt
that we could furnish the articles they want, upon much lower terms
than they can obtain them at present; and, in return, we should
furnish the best market they could have for their gold, ivory,
gums, and other rich products, and raw materials.
Now, it certainly appears to me, and I think it must appear to
every man who takes the trouble of investigating the subject, that,
provided Government would give proper support to the enterprise,
this important communication might easily be established. _For this
428 purpose, nothing more is necessary than to take a fortified station
upon the African coast, somewhere about the 29th degree of north
latitude, near the confines of the Marocco dominions, to serve as a
safe magazine or emporium for merchandize. From this station it
would be easy to maintain a direct correspondence with the opulent
merchants of Timbuctoo; regular caravans might be established to
depart at fixed periods; the protection of the Arabs can at all
times be purchased at stipulated prices, which may be considered as
premiums of insurance, or as a tax for convoy_, and thus in a
little time these caravans might carry out merchandize, to and from
Timbuctoo, with as much regularity and safety, and with less
expense, than our fleets convey our goods to and from the West
Indies.
The expense of such a fortified station as is here proposed, would
be very moderate, in comparison with the advantages it would
produce; and it would be easy to draw out a plan for it; but I do
not think it would be proper to go into a detail here,--_"non est
hic locus."_
It has been well observed, that commerce is the key of Africa; and
I shall only add, that if the plan I have suggested were carried
into execution, these interesting regions of Africa, that have
heretofore baffled the attempts of curiosity and enterprise, and
remained for so many ages a "sealed book" to the inhabitants of
Europe, would soon be explored and laid open. This is an object
429 that cannot be indifferent to a prince, who has so evidently
evinced a desire to patronise science, and who is undoubtedly
desirous to encourage, to facilitate, and to increase, still
further the vast geographical discoveries which have added such
lustre to the reign of his august father.
To return to Mr. Jackson's book. This work contains, besides the
information that more directly concerns the statesman and the
merchant, much interesting matter for the natural and moral
philosopher, as well as for the general reader. The author makes no
pretension to fine writing; his style is plain, unaffected, and
perspicuous, and there is as much new, authentic, and important
matter in the book, as in the hands of the French writers of
African travels, (Golberry, Vaillant, and Savary, for instance,)
would have been spread over three times the space. Upon the whole,
it is the most valuable work of the kind that has appeared for many
years. I hope the author will reap the reward which his labours
have so well deserved.