Suppose freight and charges to Britain 600
-------------
Total 5900 dollars
-------------
Value brought across the Desert £1327 10 0
Gum Sudan, or Gum Arabic, costs in Britain, (the
finest quality,) L.10 per cwt. including a duty of 12s.
200 camel loads is 22⅓ tons, at L.200, is £4466 13 4
Deduct
Duty £268 0 0
First cost, &c. landed in Britain 1327 10 0
--------- 1595 10 0
-------------
Profit, or about 210 per cent £2871 3 4
If Gum Senegal, it would stand thus:
221 tons, at L.100 per ton, (neat) £2233 6 8
Deduct first cost 1327 10 0
-------------
Profit, or nearly 70 per cent. £905 16 8
In the preceding statement, no account is taken of the profit of the
merchant at Santa Cruz or Mogadore, but the whole is stated as if the
article were brought to Great Britain by the route of the Desert. If
shipped to Great Britain by the Niger, it would stand thus, viz.
Neat proceeds 200 camel loads, or 22⅓ tons, at the
price of Gum Arabic £4198 13 4
Deduct
First cost at Timbuctoo, 800 dollars £180 0 0
Freight 22⅓ tons, at L.10 223 6 8
Insurance, at 5 per cent. 20 0 0
Allow for commissions 20 0 0
---------- 443 6 8
----------
Leaving the enormous profit of £3755 6 8
If Gum Senegal, neat proceeds £2233 6 8
Deduct cost and charges 443 6 8
----------
Leaving profit 400 per cent. £1790 0 0
----------
Clear profit, at a medium between both £2772 13 4
_TRADE BY BARTER AT TIMBUCTOO._
800 pieces Flemish platillas cost in Britain £1200 0 0
400 pieces Irish linen, ordinary quality 1200 0 0
Say freight and charges to Timbuctoo by Niger 600 0 0
----------
Cost landed at Timbuctoo £3000 0 0
In the trade across the Desert, these articles, in quantity and
quality as above, have been exchanged for, viz.
500 skins Wangara gold dust, each containing
4 ounces, is 2000 ounces, at 75s. £7500 0 0
100 Wangara gold bars, each 20 ounces, at 75s. 7500 0 0
50 Camel loads Gum Sudan, medium value 700 0 0
----------
£15,700 0 0
Deduct
Cost articles exchanged £3000 0 0
Freight and charges gold to Britain 1500 0 0
--------- 4500 0 0
----------
Profit, or 370 per cent. £11,200 0 0
But if the above articles were sold for gold or specie, and then native
produce purchased, the profits on a voyage would be much greater,
because there would be a profit both on the export and the import in an
equal ratio. The only difficulty to calculate this, is to ascertain what
is the value of gold at Timbuctoo. This is uncertain; but suppose it is
the same as at Fezzan, namely, L.3 per English ounce, we cannot err far.
Then 400 pieces Irish linen, and 800 pieces platillas, would bring at
Timbuctoo L.12,050, or 53,550 dollars. This sum would purchase 13,387
camel loads, or 1494 tons Gum Sudan, which would produce in Britain,
Less duties £280,972 0 0
Deduct freight and charges 29,686 0 0
-------------
Profit Gum Arabic, 200 per cent. £251,286 0 0
If Gum Senegal, would bring £149,400 0 0
Deduct freight and charges 29,686 0 0
-------------
Profit Gum Senegal, or 100 per cent. £119,714 0 0
Exclusive of 400 per cent. profit on the outward
bound cargo.
IVORY
Costs at Houssa 1½ per lb. or per cwt. £0 14 0
Freight and charges to Britain 0 13 0
--------
Cost by water conveyance £1 7 0
Sells in Britain for 21 0 0
--------
Profit by this mode £19 13 0
I state these things merely as a criterion to judge of the advantages
which may be derived from such a trade and such communications being
laid open. I am perfectly well aware that the quantity of the articles
mentioned could not be procured at any one place, or, under the present
circumstances, at any one time in Africa. But various articles, all
bearing a proportional value, could be procured. No doubt, to do so,
would take some time, as there is no such a thing as depots of
merchandize to any extent in Africa. Consequently great deductions would
fall to be made on account of the expences which the greater delay
attending such a voyage would occasion. But, as security was established
in Africa, the articles to be exchanged would be brought to favourable
spots ready for the market, and thus much delay and expence, which,
under the present circumstances, must be incurred, would afterwards be
avoided. It is almost unnecessary to observe, that as the interior is
gained, the nations become more civilized, the country more populous,
the value of all European goods greater, and that of all native
productions less, and the quantity more abundant. Therefore, it is
evident, that the trade to those parts must be most beneficial, and that
the water conveyance will render the most bulky the most profitable, as
being by this means more readily brought to a market. By the use of
steam-boats, every article of commerce may safely, and expeditiously,
and cheaply, be carried into the remotest parts of Africa. Already the
French have got these kinds of vessels on the Senegal. A short time
will, I hope, see such vessels placed on a nobler stream. Nor is it
possible to conceive a sight more surprising and grand than that which
will be disclosed when the first steam-boat bears an European throughout
all central Africa. The consequences will prove beyond all calculation
beneficial.
It would be a waste of time, and a waste of words, to point out further
the advantages which such a trade would confer on this country, and on
any and all who engage in it. No doubt the value of European articles
would decrease as these became more abundant in the interior of Africa.
But it must also be borne in mind, that the diffusion of knowledge, and
industry, and the establishment of security for life, liberty, and
property, would create such a degree of wealth and of wants, as would
increase the demand to an astonishing degree, and thus keep up the
value. The price also of the productions of interior Africa would no
doubt rise in those countries, and fall in Europe, but the immense
supplies which could so readily be procured and speedily produced, if
once her numerous population had felt the sweets of industry, and
property would tend to counterbalance any exorbitant rise in value from
the increased demand. But, taking every casualty and every difficulty
into account, still the field that remains is so extensive and so
fruitful, that a rich and abundant harvest must be the certain result.
As the principal part of the trade into Sudan is at present conducted,
it is subjected to the most serious inconveniences. Besides a duty of 10
per cent. in Morocco, and the excessive expences of land carriage,
amounting, according to the nature of the goods, to three times or five
times the original value, the merchandize in its passage into the
interior passes through five different hands, each of whom receives from
20 to 30 per cent. of profit and duty, &c. Yet the merchants engaged in
it make rich. The African produce brought back is subjected to the same
burdens, and, in Gum-Sudan, we have an instance of the enormous expence
of land carriage, being more than five times the amount of its original
cost. A water conveyance will remove entirely this excessive expence.
From considering the previous statements, derived from real and
authentic mercantile transactions between Morocco and Timbuctoo, &c. it
is evident that gold and gold dust are not the most profitable, though
these may, in some instances, be the most marketable articles of
Exchange. Being easier transported, gold commands at Timbuctoo a price
much nearer to its European value than any other article, but
particularly bulky articles of African produce. Though the freight of
gold would be lower than any other article, still, its value being
greater, larger sums for commissions and other expences are necessarily
paid upon it. From a trade in the articles we have mentioned into the
interior of Africa, it is evident that a duty to government could very
well be afforded. Suppose the imports into Africa amounted to one
million, and the exports from it to as much, as there is sure data to
shew would be the case, then the duty to government at five per cent.
would produce L.100,000. If the land and properties in Africa paid at
the same rate, wherever we colonized or protected, (at present they pay
ten times the sum, not for protection but for oppression,) it would be
very easy, in this manner, to raise a sufficient revenue to defray every
expence attending any settlement to colonize and to civilize Africa.
The whole population of Africa, high and low, are traders, and in some
way or other engaged in trade. Already they are acquainted with its
advantages, and some of its rules. They only want security and a greater
degree of knowledge to make them thoroughly acquainted with the
principles of honourable commerce. The Moorish and Arabian merchants,
who everywhere, in perfect safety, frequent the markets of interior
Africa, may be made the ready instruments of diffusing commerce from the
great towns on the rivers to which European merchants, with their goods,
can have easy access into the more remote and inaccesible parts of the
continent. They are very honourable in their dealings, and there cannot
be a doubt, but that they would most cheerfully engage in conveying
European goods, from places on the rivers to towns at a distance from
their banks, rather than run the risk they now run, in transporting
goods through the fearful deserts and dangers that intervene between
Morocco, Fezzan, Tripoli, Egypt, and Sudan. All these merchants are well
acquainted with the country, inured to the climate, and conversant with
the different languages, even if Arabic were not generally understood in
Africa. They may thus be made most useful and active commercial agents.
To give a farther illustration of the advantages to be derived from a
trade to Africa, I shall here adduce, from the authority of Mr.
Bowditch, the profits on that carried on between Cape Coast and
Coomassie, (capital of Ashantee,) and other places more into the
interior. The expence attending it must be considerable, when we reflect
that it is carried on by means of land carriage, through the immense
forests, and over the hills of Southern Africa.
_India silk_ costs, at Cape Coast, L.4 per piece
of 11 yards, brings 5s. per span[9] at Coomassie,
and 20s. per fathom at Yahndi—profit 175 per cent.
_Sarstracunda_ (highly glazed British cotton, of
bright red stripes, with a bar of white) at Cape
Coast 30s. per piece, at Coomassie 2s. 6d. per span 400
_Glasgow Dane_, 30s. Cape Coast, at Coomassie 5s.
per handkerchief 75
_Rum_, Cape Coast 10s. per gallon, Coomassie 7½d.
per dram 400
Flints, Cape Coast 5s. per 100, Coomassie 3d. each 600
_Tobacco_, (Portuguese,) Cape Coast L.6 per roll,
(42 fathoms) at Coomassie L.10 75
Ditto, at Inta 150
Gunpowder, Cape Coast L.4 per ¼ barrel 25 lbs.,
at Coomassie 7½d. per charge of ¾ ounce 400
Iron, Cape Coast L.1 per bar, Coomassie 35s. 75
Ditto, Sallagha and Yahndi 60s. 200
_Lead_, the same
_Spanish dollars_, 5s. Cape Coast, at both places
10s. (two ackies) 100
Ditto, ditto, Sansanding, 25s. to 50s. 600
_Sal Amoniac_ is abundant in Dagwumba, and at Ashantee, 2s. will buy a
lump as big as a hen’s egg. Small Turkey and Mesurata carpets bring at
Coomassie 2 ounces gold, worth 75s. per ounce, or even L.4. The
Ashantees frequently give the governor of the Dutch forts 2 ounces of
gold for one roll of Portuguese tobacco.
The nature and extent of the trade at the outset, under the settlement
and the regulations proposed, would be, _first_, the value of all the
trade at present carried on across the Desert. _Second_, the whole trade
at present carried on between Cape Lopez and Cape Palmas. _Third_, the
inland trade of Africa between place and place in commodities and wants
purely African, and particularly salt from the coast to the interior.
These three branches are at once placed in the power and under the
controul of those who can navigate and command the Niger and his
tributary streams.
The value of the present trade into the interior of Africa cannot be
calculated with perfect accuracy. The trade from Morocco is about
1,000,000 dollars in exports annually. From all the other Barbary
States, from Mourzook, Egypt, Nubia, Darfur, &c. it is about three times
as much, in all one million Sterling from the North (chiefly) and from
the East. In the trade from Morocco the returns are said to be in some
instances ten to one, and, in general, that a capital of 5000 dollars
will be raised in two years to 20,000 dollars. The trade from Mourzook
must be in a similar proportion, and that from Egypt, according to
Burkhardt, yields from 150 to 500 per cent. each journey, according to
the nature of the articles carried to market. Slaves, however, are
chiefly the returns, at least those on which the profit is greatest; but
in the trade contemplated this would form no part, and consequently the
profits would not be in the same proportion. But, on the other hand, the
profits would be greatly increased, from the quickness of the returns,
and the reduced expences at which the trade would be conducted. The
British exports to Africa, (Cape of Good Hope included,) were, on an
average of three years, ending 1810, to the amount of L.830,000
annually, and the imports, exclusive of gold dust, L.430,000. The
quantity of gold brought from the gold coast annually, is estimated to
amount to L.400,000. Since that period both the exports and the imports
are greatly increased. At least L.300,000 in imports, and as much in
exports, centre in those places where the projected establishments would
be placed. At present also the British trade to these places is greatly
reduced, because other nations, continuing the slave trade, which we
have abandoned, supply those places with a great quantity of goods which
would otherwise have come through our hands. The extent of this annually
it is difficult to estimate; but it is, perhaps, equal to our share of
the imports, and, exclusive of slaves, fully one-third of the exports of
African produce.
To give a stronger and more correct idea of what might be the extent of
the trade in question, it is only necessary to point out, and to mention
the following fact. During the continuation of the slave trade, Great
Britain exported manufactures to Africa to the extent of L.1,000,000
annually, entirely for the purpose of barter in that trade. It is not
too much to say that all the other European nations sent an equal amount
for the same purpose. One-half of all this certainly went to those
places situate between Cape Coast and the Rio de Gaboon, but principally
confined to that part of the coast from the Rio Lagos to the Rio Elrei.
From Bonny River alone, it is calculated 20,000 slaves were annually
exported by European nations. These would cost, at the lowest, L.10
each. Thus, at least, L.1,000,000 of European goods were annually
imported into those parts of Africa where the Niger enters the Sea, the
greater part of which were intended for the consumpt of the nations
inland. The contemplated settlements would secure to Great Britain, and
that immediately, the whole of the trade mentioned, and the advantages
to be derived from African produce taken in exchange.
This is the present trade with those parts of Africa. It would soon
increase greatly, and include the supply of all our West India colonies
with the finest descriptions of dry provisions, such as Indian corn,
rice, &c. and also with live-stock of every description, which are
indispensably necessary for the supply and health of our naval force and
garrisons in that quarter of the world. For all these we are at present
chiefly dependent upon a foreign and a rival power. Indian corn is the
finest of all food for Negroes. They prefer it to superfine flour. It is
found to be better for their health. In the West Indies we have 800,000
slaves. These must require large supplies. From the United States we
formerly imported into these colonies annually 647,853 bushels of corn;
431,504 bushels meal and flour; and 9,393 bushels rice; altogether,
valued at L.440,000. The live-stock imported also cost a large sum, and,
altogether, the imports from America to the West Indies exceeded half a
million Sterling. Canada cannot supply these articles, because it does
not produce them. Africa could supply these, and at a cheaper rate; and
in return, take back rum, as the United States formerly did.
Secondly, there would be an immense importation into this country of
cotton of the finest qualities, coffee, indigo, superior dye-stuffs, and
excellent timber, either for the purposes of ship-building or ornamental
furniture. Africa yields all these in abundance. The value and
advantages of all these it is impossible to calculate. To the United
States, and to the Brazils, we give annually six millions for cotton,
which Africa produces of a much finer quality. By obtaining it from
Africa we should thus be independent of either of these powers in case
of war, and not only so, but we should, by this means, if not deeply
injure their present establishments, at least completely check the
further extension of the cultivation of cotton in these countries, which
is one of the greatest sources of their wealth and their power. This, in
a political point of view, is of itself a matter of great consequence,
and a way of weakening a rival power of which no nation has any just
right to complain. The introduction of cotton from Africa to any extent,
would lower the value of the article from every other quarter, thereby
affording our manufacturers the raw material at a cheaper rate, which
must tend to the extension of their business, and, by cheapening, create
increased demands for their goods. The same may be said with regard to
coffee, sugar, and dye-stuffs. The advantages of a supply of ship-
timber, independent of any rival power, are too obvious to require
pointing out.
Thirdly, under this head would be a trade to the Cape of Good Hope. The
northern settlement would take flour and wine from the southern, and,
through the Cape, a supply of East India goods, articles which are in
great request in Africa. The southern settlement would take back from
the northern, sugar, coffee, and various other articles, such as timber
for ship-building and other purposes, thereby mutually benefiting each
other, while the wealth of each must ultimately flow to the mother
country in increased demands upon her for various articles, which their
labour, capital, and soil, cannot produce. Fourthly, we should acquire
nearly all the trade to the Mediterranean with the Barbary powers, by
carrying to their doors, at a much cheaper rate, all the articles which
they are accustomed to procure from the interior of Africa. This
increased intercourse with Britain would tend greatly to soften the
asperity and fanaticism of their character, two things which so deeply
injure the moral and the natural features of this fine portion of
Africa. The severest laws of Mahomet would bend to interest, and honest
commerce has, in every age, proved a powerful instrument to civilize
mankind.
From the previous enumeration, it would appear that the direct foreign
trade of this portion of Africa which would fall into our hands
immediately, is fully equal to three millions in imports and exports.
From the extent and populousness of the country itself, from the
fertility of the soil, the abundance of the precious metals, the
cheapness of provisions, and, above all, from the manners and pursuits
of a great multitude of the population being favourable to, and engaged
in, commercial concerns, there is no reason to doubt but that, under
prudent management and adequate protection, the trade, in a short time,
would be augmented to five times, nay, to ten times the sum. There
cannot be a doubt but that, in exploring, cultivating, and civilizing
the tropical regions of Africa, immense, and as yet hidden stores for
the benefit and advancement of manufactures, and commerce, and
agriculture, would develope themselves[10]. They know nothing of the
Torrid Zone who can think otherwise. Security will give the Africans
industry. Both will teach them wants, and when they find that these can
be gratified with safety, there can be no doubt respecting the result.
Attention to every article of agriculture, and the demands occasioned
for these in the regular course of trade, would be found the most easy,
powerful, and effective engine which could be used to turn the attention
of the population of Africa to understand their true interests, and
consequently prove the most peaceable and expeditious mode of extending
knowledge and civilization amongst them. Without roads and regular means
of conveyance of goods and produce, such as we possess, the ignorant
despot of the interior will never think of making his slaves, or his
people, cultivate or transport produce of great bulk, and of laborious
and expensive carriage, in order to procure in exchange articles which
he requires, either for ornament or for use; produce too, which is
liable to be injured by the way, while, with a trifling labour, and at a
still more trifling expence, the slave can be compelled to walk to the
most distant market in order to be there sold and exchanged for
mercantile commodities, to gratify the passions of a barbarous master.
Nor have we any reason to expect any change while cut off from all ready
communication with any enlightened nation, and not only so, but, on the
contrary, everywhere surrounded by fanatic powers, whose interest and
whose policy it is to teach, and encourage these sovereigns to follow an
opposite course. It can tend to little advantage to cut off a foreign
slave-trade, (granting that could be made effectual,) unless we teach
the Africans how to employ their slaves in a more useful and profitable
manner. Unless we do this, the abolition of the foreign slave-trade will
only tend to secure a greater number of wretched victims for those
bloody “_Customs_,” and wholesale butcheries under the name of
sacrifices, which are so frequent in many parts of Africa.
This detestable traffic must be gradually, that it may be wholly and
entirely abolished, not only between Africa and foreign countries, but
in Africa between state and state. To accomplish this end effectually,
it is necessary also to destroy that grovelling superstition which
disgraces human nature in Africa, and which binds the minds of prince
and people in the worst and most ruinous of all bondage. In fact, it is
this which leads to personal slavery, and every evil which afflicts
Africa. Till the chains of superstition are broken asunder, neither the
fetters of slavery, nor the yoke of the slave-trade ever will. The
introduction of Christianity will dispel the terrors of the one, and its
benign influence root out and remove the horrors of the other. Nothing
else can accomplish the object. It is in our power to do this. The
blessings and the benefits which, by the exertions of men from other
countries, were first conferred upon us, we are bound to diffuse amongst
other nations who remain deprived of them. It is on this sure basis, the
introduction of true religion, and the education of young and old in its
principles and its duties, that we must build the fabric of our dominion
and our fame in Africa. Every other means will prove a foundation of
“sand,” which each flood of human passions will sweep away. But, erected
on the rock of Christianity, the foundation of our power in Africa will
be impregnable, and our dominions spread invulnerable against every
assailing foe. Christianity is the great enlightener and softener of
human nature. Power directed by its principles can never fail of
stability.