soil from the Volta eastward, in all the Delta of Benin, and along the
Niger northward, are particularly adapted for coffee, sugar, &c. Cotton
of a quality remarkably fine may be had in abundance. Rice is found
every where, and in great quantities. Indian corn of the very finest
quality is in all places most abundant, and which of itself would form a
great source of wealth and a most valuable and important branch of
commerce. Various kinds of dyes and dyewoods are very plentiful. The
qualities are very superior. Some of them are said to resist both acids
and light. To this country the importation of such articles would be
invaluable. The fine navigable rivers render the conveyance and shipment
of all these heavy articles of produce easy and cheap, an advantage
which no territory distant from a water conveyance can possess. Such
means of conveyance are advantageous every where, but within the Tropics
these are incalculably so. The Jaboos, a superior race of people,
situated between Lagos and Benin, use the dye stuffs of the country with
great ingenuity; and the manufactures carried on by the population about
the junction of the Gir with the Niger are numerous and well executed.
Immense herds of deer traverse the fertile plains situated north of
Iffla or Popo. Teak trees and other very fine kinds of timber for ship-
building are every where to be had in any quantity. Various descriptions
of timber also fit for furniture, and some fine kinds peculiar to
Africa, can be readily obtained. Palm oil, which finds ready market in
this country, is to be had in abundance. But it is impossible to
enumerate, within the bounds of a publication like this, every article
of commerce which may even now be found in Africa. What must it become
when science is introduced, and property and life made secure?
The legitimate commerce of this portion of Africa has long been
neglected. In early ages it was certainly of much more importance than
it is now. There is good reason to believe that the Roman empire
obtained the greater part of the gold which enriched it from the centre
of Africa. After the Arabs extended their arms into those parts of
Africa, commerce was very active, and the quantity of gold brought from
Sudan was very great. Morocco was the great emporium of this traffic,
and from thence this precious metal was circulated into most of the
nations of Europe. The Sovereigns of the former country were so sensible
of the immense advantages which this trade conferred, that they carried
large armies across the desert, subdued, and for a long time held in
subjection the finest parts of Sudan. Timbuctoo was the chief seat of
their power. With that city and Fez there was a regular and open
communication. Segelmessa, and all the towns south of Mount Atlas, were
enriched by the traffic carried on with the land of the Negroes. In the
days of Leo Africanus, who visited all these parts, this trade was
carried on with much industry. Segelmessa, in particular, was greatly
enriched by it. So also was the province of Dara, in its immediate
neighbourhood. “Their castles in this province,” says Leo, “are
inhabited by goldsmiths and other artificers, and so are all the regions
lying in the way from Timbuctoo to Fez.”
Jinnë was famous in the days of Leo for cotton, and grain, and gold; all
of which they exchanged with the caravans from the northward. The
inhabitants of Timbuctoo were particularly wealthy. There were many
shops of artificers and merchants, especially such as wove cotton and
linen cloth. The king had many plates and sceptres of gold of great
weight and value. Their coin had no stamp. Perhaps it was what is now
called Wangara gold bars. There are Negroes in our West India islands,
from the interior of Africa, who distinctly state that there are in
their countries shops and places of business not inferior to many in
some of the best towns in these islands. Gago was also an important
commercial station: “It is wonderful,” said Leo, “to see what plenty of
merchandize is daily brought hither, and how costly and sumptuous all
things be.” The arms of Morocco also reached this distant place, and it
is said that Muley Hamed, son of the famous Muley Moluck, sovereign of
Morocco, some time about the year 1590, brought from Gago 75 quintals,
and from Timbuctoo 60 quintals of gold dust, making together 135
quintals or 16,065 lbs. avoirdupois weight of gold, the whole worth
about L.962,100 Sterling. (_Jackson’s Shabeeny_, p. 520.) The yearly
tribute of Timbuctoo was 60 quintals. Succeeding sovereigns continued to
draw immense supplies from the same quarter of this precious metal. In
the days of Leo, the central parts of Africa received all their foreign
supplies from the northern side of the great desert. The length of the
journey, and the difficulties and dangers attendant thereon, rendered
the price of every article of foreign manufacture very high. Thus horses
bought in Europe at 10 ducats each, sold at Gago for 40 and 50 ducats.
The coarsest European cloths brought four, and the finest 15 ducats per
ell. One ell of Venice or Turkey scarlet cloth, sold as high as 30
ducats per ell. A sword brought four crowns; spears, bridles, &c. were
proportionally dear. Salt, however, exceeded every other commodity in
value. The duty in Gago was L.5 for a camel load of 600 lbs. The prime
cost at Tegazza was only four shillings per load. At Timbuctoo also this
article bore a very high value. Though some of the articles mentioned
now reach these interior parts from the Gulph of Guinea, still their
value in the interior is, from various circumstances, not greatly
reduced.
The articles chiefly imported into the different places connected with
the trade of interior Africa are as follows, viz. into the eastern parts
from the Red Sea, into Abyssinia, Nubia, and westward to Kordefan and
Darfur, they import, cambrics, baft (used as currency,) India goods,
such as Bengal silks, China silks, nankeens, cotton cloth, cotton
stuffs, refined sugar, in small loaves of about four pounds each, linen,
paper, sheep-skins, tar, looking-glasses, silver trinkets for female
ornaments, soap, files, scissars, thimbles, needles, razors, sword
blades, coral, spices, such as cloves, mace, nutmegs, cinnamon, ginger,
black-pepper, India and Mokha beads, and a great variety of other
articles. From the north and from the sea-coasts on the west, there is
sold and carried into interior Africa, viz. manufactured silks, damasks,
brocade, velvet, raw silk, combs of box and ivory, gold, thread, paper,
cochineal, (from France, Italy, &c.) red woollen caps, baize, check
linens, light coarse woollen cloths, blue linens, long cloths, superfine
and plain brilliant cloths, and mixtures, and cassimeres, Turkey
carpets, glazed cottons, printed cottons, calicoes, cotton netting,
veils, printed and calico handkerchiefs, muslin dresses and scarfs,
cotton stockings, dimities, creas, rowans, Britannias and Irish linens,
plattillas, tissues, muslins, (mulls) gum-benzoin, gum, tartar, cassia,
vitriol, brimstone, alum, copper, brass, iron nails, copper nails, brass
nails, dagger blades, knives, fire-arms, powder, and shot, all kinds of
hardware for common use, trinkets, beads, glass-ware, salt, iron,
tobacco, lead, cocoa, coffee, sandals, cushions, Silesias, all India
cotton and linen goods, brandy, rum, and various other articles
previously enumerated.
From eastern Sudan the exports are, viz. slaves, gold dust, gum-arabic,
gum-liban, (a kind of incense much esteemed,) leather, whips, rhinoceros
horns, very valuable, ostrich feathers, very fine, ebony, ivory, musk,
&c. To Morocco and other Barbary states are exported, viz. slaves, gold
dust, gold bars, gold trinkets, _B’kore_, a kind of frankincense,
greatly esteemed by Mahommedans, guza serawie, (grains of paradise,)
ivory, amber, ostrich feathers, gum-Arabic or gum-Sudan, gum-Copal,
assafoetida, dyed skins, tiger skins, leopard skins, senna, manna,
indigo, equal to that of Guatimala, hemp, &c. From the south and from
the west coasts are exported, viz. elephants’ teeth, gold dust, wax,
honey, palm oil, rice, Indian corn, cotton, indigo, amber, barwood,
camwood, ebony, sandalwood, hides, a great variety of medicinal herbs
and drugs, dye-woods and dye-stuffs of very superior qualities, and a
great variety of timber fit for ship-building and other articles.
In the interior, a great trade is carried on from place to place in
exchanging various commodities of native productions and produce. Shea
butter, produced from the shea tree; Garoo nuts, a fruit eagerly sought
after by all the nations south of the Niger; and some native trinkets
and manufactures, form considerable branches of commerce in Africa. The
latter, however, would soon yield to the superiority of European skill.
Provisions also form a considerable branch of trade, in carrying these
from one state to another, as may be found requisite. There no doubt
exists other branches with which we are unacquainted; and many more
would be produced were industry and security extended and put in
activity over these extensive districts of Africa.
Several of these articles of commerce are so important, as to demand our
particular attention and observation. From these we may obtain data to
enable us to judge of the value and importance of other articles already
enumerated. To begin with salt: This is an article of the greatest
importance in commerce, and one which the population of these parts
cannot possibly do without. The profits thereon, says Jackson, “_are
extravagant_.” According to El Hagi Shabeeny, “_it is more profitable
than linen_.” (_Jackson’s Shabeeny_.) In almost every part of Africa, it
bears the same high price. In Dar Kulla, Browne informs us, that twelve
pounds of salt will buy a male, and fifteen pounds a female slave. At
Timbuctoo, it has been known so high in price that six pounds thereof
was equal to the value of a prime slave. In Melli, a camel’s load brings
from 200 to 300 mitgalli, or minkalli, each worth about a ducat. These
loads are generally small; for, being composed of rock salt, they do not
carry much, lest a heavy load should chafe the backs and sides of the
camels. These loads are sometimes more, sometimes less, and from 200
lbs. as high as 600 lbs. About 300 lbs. may be reckoned a medium load.
This would make the value in Melli from 4s. to 5s. Sterling per lb. Leo
Africanus says, he has seen 80 ducats given for a load at Timbuctoo.
Each load costs at Tegazze, in the Desert, 4s. Sterling. From the heart
of the Great Desert, the Moors and Arabs carry on an immense trade in
this article, to all the neighbouring parts of Sudan. Since the days of
Edrisi also, to this day, it has been an extensive article of commerce
from the sea-coasts on the Bights of Biafra and Benin, to the interior
parts of the continent. It is carried to the most distant parts by means
of the rivers. But having so many petty states to pass through, where
the trader cannot protect himself, so many duties, presents, expenses
and exactions, are laid upon it, and so many barterings and sales take
place, that it becomes extremely dear by the time it reaches the
interior countries, without yielding a great return to each hand engaged
in conveying it. To the slaves brought from Houssa, and other countries
in its neighbourhood, to the sea-coast, a piece of salt is the greatest
rarity which can be presented to them. This shews the scarcity of it in
the interior, and the absurdity of placing the Isle of Ulil and the
salt-pits of the early Arabian geographers in those very parts of Africa
where salt is unknown. Rock-salt is what is chiefly carried from the
great desert. Such can be purchased in Britain, for exportation, at the
rate of 12s. to 15s. per ton. It is needless to point out the ease with
which European merchants and navigators could carry it into the interior
of Africa by a water conveyance, and the advantages to be derived from
such a trade.
_Ostrich Feathers._
This is also an important and lucrative branch of African commerce.
Those brought from Timbuctoo, Houssa, &c. are much superior to any that
are found in Eastern Sudan, and from thence carried to the Egyptian
market. Yet the latter sell at Cairo for 280 piastres (L.70 Sterling)
per lb. They are generally sorted in parcels of 10 lbs. containing a
proportion of each kind from the best to the worst. The price at Cairo
is ten times greater than at Shendy in Nubia. (_Burk._ p. 282.) Hence we
can form some idea of the advantages which the merchant would derive by
getting into the interior of Africa, and procuring and transporting
these with the facilities which a water communication affords. Sorted
for the Cairo market, the parcels contain 1 lb. of the finest and the
whitest sort, 1 lb. of the second quality, and 8 lbs. of the coarser
kinds, in equal proportions, making the parcel 10 lbs. which sells for
2800 piastres, or L.700 Sterling. The price at Shendy may be taken as a
just criterion to judge of the value at Timbuctoo and Houssa, say 28
piastres, or L.7 Sterling per lb. In Britain, the finer kinds cost very
high. The advantages of this branch of commerce is very evident.
_Spices, Precious Stones, &c._
According to the accounts of various travellers, pimento is abundant in
Dar Kulla. The tree which bears it is called _kumba_. A _rotal_, or
pound of salt, will purchase four or five _mid_, each _mid_ about a
peck, or nearly 35 lbs. for 5s. which is about the value of a pound of
salt in that country, (_Browne_, p. 309.) Edrisi and Ibn-al-Vardi,
expressly describe Vancara as “the country of gold and aromatics.” We
have seen in what part of Africa this country lies. Ptolemy, in his
“_Mundi Descriptio_, cap. 15, states the remarkable fact, that in these
parts of Africa, “Hyacinthus et chrysoprasus ibi reperiunter. Cinnamomum
ibi colligitur.” _Hyacinths and chrysoprasus are there found. There
cinnamon is collected_. Jackson informs us, that one of the chief
articles of export from Sudan to Morocco is “_B’Kore Sudan_,”
(fumigation of Sudan,) a kind of frankincense much esteemed. Burkhardt
mentions gum-Liban as an article of value in the exports from the
eastern parts, and which is also a kind of incense, and used as a
medicine. As early as the days of Hanno, Africa seems to have been
remarkable for spices. That navigator expressly mentions, that in his
voyage between “Hesperus his Horn,” and the “Chariot of the Gods,” he
sailed along a coast from which the gales were perfumed with incense.
This was no doubt the _Mellegette_, or Pepper coast, where the
Portuguese found such great quantities of pimento, and which, to this
day, abounds there. When the trees are in blossom, the fragrance which
perfumes the air is delightful, and reaches to a distance. Many other
valuable articles would, without a doubt, be brought to light by the
energy and activity which European intelligence would create and call
forth in Africa. Once shew the population that the fruits of their
industry is secure, and a market open for the same to exchange, in order
to supply their wants, and the work is done.
_Gums, Drugs, &c._
Senna is most abundant in the interior parts of Africa, particularly in
the territories of Kashna. It is brought into Europe by way of Tripoli
and Alexandria. That brought from Tripoli is the best, owing perhaps to
the journey being shorter, and the article receiving more care in the
packing, and less damage in the carriage across the desert. The King of
Fezzan exacted from the tribes of Tibesti an yearly tribute of 20 camel
loads of this article. Manna is also abundant in the central parts of
Africa, near the confines of the desert. About Agadez the inhabitants
collect it in small vessels, and, mingled with water, they esteem it a
very precious drink. It is of a very cooling nature, and therefore
extremely useful in such a climate. Gum Arabic is particularly abundant
in Africa. The name it there goes by is Gum Sudan. Burkhardt informs us,
that what of this article is brought from the countries to the westward
of Kordofan is of the very finest quality. That produced in the central
parts cannot be less so. The value thereof we shall immediately and
particularly consider. In proportion to its value, must be the value of
all other commodities of a similar description in interior Africa. The
prices, therefore, of the following articles in Britain, are worth
attending to. The whole quoted are African productions.
Gum Copal, 2s. 3d. to 6s. per lb.; duty, 1s. 8d. per lb.
Assafœtida, £5 to £10 per cwt.; duty, 10d. per lb.
Musk, 12s. to 15s. per oz.; duty, 5s. per oz.
Senna (Tripoli,) 3s. to 3s. 3d. per lb.; duty, 1s. 3d. per lb.
Gum Ammoniac, drop, £22 to £25 per cwt.; duty, 1s. 3d. do.
Do. do. lump, £10 to 10 guineas, do.; do. do.
Gum Galbanum, drop, £28 to 28 do. do.; do. 1s. 4d. do.
Grains, Guinea, £9 to £10 per cwt. do. 2s.
Indigo, (Guatimala,) 8s. 6d. to 9s. per lb.; duty, 5d. per lb.
The latter article, Jackson informs us, which is produced abundantly in
Africa, is of a quality equal to that brought from Guatimala, which is
the finest that is to be got. Various other dye stuffs, and also dye
woods, are abundant in Africa. The quality of some of these are so
superior as to resist both acids and light. Such would be most
invaluable to a manufacturing country like this. The Senna of Agadez is
worth, at Tripoli, from L.4, 4s. to L.4, 10s. per 100 lbs. That of
Tibesti is only worth from L.2, 14s. to L.3 per the same quantity.
(_Transact. Afric. Assoc._ p. 169.)
_Gold Dust._
This article is very abundant in all the mountainous districts of
Africa. The following places are more remarkable for it than others,
viz. Mandingo, the countries around the sources of the Niger, Senegal,
&c. and the country to the south of Vancara, or amidst that range called
Mount Thala by Ptolemy. Also about the sources of the Bahr-el-Abiad, and
south-west of the Bahr-el-Azreek, about Dumute and countries to the
south-west. Gold is said to be more plentiful in those parts than in
Peru. There can be no doubt but if a civilized and strong power were
established on the Niger in Central Africa, that this article would
circulate to it from regions the most remote, and hitherto unknown, and
be collected by people who are at present careless, as not knowing what
to make of it. The value of this article is different at different
places in Africa, and is not always easily and correctly ascertained.
Being easier transported than other merchandize, it in general
approaches nearer its European value than articles and produce of
greater bulk and more expensive carriage. At Fezzan and Cashna, the
ounce of 640 grains, or 9 Mitkals, is worth, in Cashna, L.4, 10s. but in
Fezzan only L.4. At this rate, an English ounce of 480 grains, is worth,
in Cashna, L.3, 17s. 6d., and in Fezzan only L.3. (_Transac. Afric.
Assoc._ p. 169.) El Hagi Shabeeny states, that the value of gold at
Timbuctoo and Fezz was as 90 at the former to 150 at the latter, a
difference of nearly 70 _per cent._, which would almost induce us to
believe that there is some mistake.
_Ivory, &c._
Ivory is a most important and lucrative branch of African commerce. It
is to be had in considerable quantities in the interior. The medium
value in Britain at first hand is L.21 per cwt. exclusive of a duty of
L.3. It is bought at Houssa at about 1½d. per lb. and sells in Morocco
at the rate of 60 ducats for 200 lbs. In Ashantee the price is about
20s. per cwt. All these articles mentioned, and many more of the most
interesting and valuable kinds, medicinal herbs, drugs, dye-stuffs, dye-
woods, colonial produce of every kind, timber of the most valuable kinds
for ship-building, and other purposes, would soon be found in abundance
in Africa. The water communication which the Niger and his tributary
streams afford lays the whole immediately and readily open.
Gunpowder, shot, flints, and fire-arms, are every where in great demand,
and bring an enormous profit. The exportation of these articles,
however, from Great Britain is prohibited. The reason given is, that
these things would tend to encourage wars amongst the natives, and
extend the slave trade. This is an erroneous policy on our part, and has
an effect diametrically opposite to what we suppose. Foreign nations
carry these things into Africa to exchange for slaves, and for slaves
alone. The consequences are, that the natives and powers on the sea-
coasts arm themselves with these formidable weapons, and carefully and
strictly prohibit the introduction of any into the interior countries.
In this manner the former are rendered superior to the latter, who
become an easy prey to their profligate neighbours whenever or wherever
they find that it suits their interest and convenience. In this manner
the slave trade is extended and aggravated, and we, at the same time,
lose all the benefit which the sale and exchange of these commodities
afford, without rendering Africa the service we intend. If the nations
inland could procure European fire-arms, there is not the smallest doubt
but they would be able to repel all the hostile attacks of their lawless
neighbours, made for the sole purpose of procuring slaves, whether these
inroads are made by the Negro Powers from the sea-coasts, or the Moors
and the Arabs from the Great Desert. The policy of both are the same on
this point, and each do all they can to keep the population of the
interior from obtaining such supplies, that this population may, at all
times, remain at their mercy. All accounts, European or African, agree
in their statements on this head.
If Great Britain carried her arms into Africa to colonize and to rule
over it, then her policy, and her just and wise policy, would be to
keep, as far as she was able, fire-arms from the hands of every nation
in the interior, but such as she can depend upon as being friendly and
faithful to her. While this is not the case, however, our obvious policy
is to exchange and sell such productions of our skill and industry as
the population of Africa may have the greatest desire to obtain. In this
manner we shall wrest a valuable branch of commerce from the hands of
foreign nations, who use it for the worst of purposes, obtain the
friendship and protection of the greater powers, and thus get our
manufactures and our policy—our name and our greatness extended over
Africa. It is a mistake that the possession of fire-arms render wars
more bloody, and nations more eager to engage in them. The reverse is
the case, as, if it were here necessary to establish more fully, a
reference to history both ancient and modern would readily prove. The
extension of a trade in these articles to Africa, and such may be
extended to an inconceivable degree, would be of the utmost advantage to
Great Britain, and, in a particular manner, it would tend to relieve the
stagnation of the trade in Birmingham, so greatly depressed from the
cessation of hostilities in Europe, the duration of which occasioned
continued and extensive demands for these articles from that city.
The cotton and linen manufactures of this country are particularly
coveted and sought after in Africa. Showy prints are particularly sought
after by the negro women; and there cannot be a doubt, but when they
perceive that the finer dresses are within their power, that these will
also be eagerly coveted. The finer cloths would also soon find a market
in the interior, and even the coarser would be in demand in the cold
mountainous countries. The three following instances of the value of
European articles in the interior, upon the authority of Mr. Jackson and
others, may serve to give us an idea of the value of other articles,
which, in all such as are most in request, we may rest assured, is upon
an equal scale. An 100 lbs. of refined sugar brings at Timbuctoo 100
Mexican dollars, worth 4s. 6d. each, or L.22, 10s. Sterling. A piece of
Irish linen, 25 yards, of ordinary quality, brings 75 dollars, or L.16,
17s. 6d. A piece Flemish platillas brings 20 mezeens of gold, or 50
dollars, L.11, 5s. In order, however, to understand the subject better,
and see it in a clearer light, we shall state the value of these
articles, as these are rated in the trade at present carried on from
Morocco and other places across the Great Desert, and the value which
these would bear if carried direct from Great Britain by a water
conveyance, and African productions brought back by the same means.
* * * * *
_IMPORTS AT TIMBUCTOO._
100 lbs. refined sugar cost in Britain £3 10 0
Duty in Morocco 10 per cent. 0 9 0
Freight to Mogadore 0 3 6
Carriage and duties across the Desert 2 0 0
Costs at Timbuctoo £6 0 6
Sells there for 100 Mexican dollars, at 4s. 6d. each 22 10 0
Profit by this conveyance £16 9 6
If carried by water, charges would be 30s. less 1 10 0
--------
Profit if carried from Britain direct, or 300 p. cent. £17 19 6
LINEN.
A piece Irish linen worth at Timbuctoo £16 17 6
Prime cost in, and charges from, Britain, 3 10 6
--------
Profit, or near 400 per cent. £13 7 0
PLATILLAS.
A piece is worth at Timbuctoo £11 5 0
Cost in, and charges from, Britain, about 2 0 0
--------
Profit, or nearly 450 per cent £9 5 0
* * * * *
_EXPORTS FROM TIMBUCTOO._
GUM SUDAN, OR GUM ARABIC.
200 camel loads, at 250 lbs. neat, cost 4 Mexican
dollars each load 800 dollars
Camel hire to Akka in Barbary, at 18 dollars each 3600
_Statta_, or convoy duty to chiefs 300