A voyage to Senegal : $b or, Historical, philosophical, and political memoirs, relative to the discoveries, establishments and commerce of Europeans in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Blanco to the river of Sierra LeoneDurand, Jean Baptiste Léonard
History
A voyage to Senegal : $b or, Historical, philosophical, and political memoirs, relative to the discoveries, establishments and commerce of Europeans in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Blanco to the river of Sierra Leone
Durand, Jean Baptiste Léonard
Africa, Northwest; Senegal -- Description and travel
His ministers raised him up, and attempted to carry him upon deck,
by lifting him over the table; but his majesty was sufficiently
awake to express his regret at leaving it: he therefore suddenly
seized hold of a hare by the head, and carried it with him. I think
I still see him holding the hare like a sceptre.
After my dinner, which I had much difficulty to finish for laughing,
I went upon deck, to inquire after his majesty; and found him a
little refreshed. We then talked for a few minutes on commercial
affairs. Nothing worth notice afterwards occurred till it was time
to separate; when I made him the customary presents, with which
he appeared satisfied; and I did not forget to repeat the dose
of brandy, nor to give the ministers and musicians what they had
a right to expect. All the company then returned me thanks, and
we parted on the best terms imaginable. While he was proceeding
to the shore, I again saluted him with nine guns; and on landing,
I saw him mount his horse, put himself at the head of his troops,
and proceed towards his village.
In the evening he entered into conversation with his ministers, and
wished to know what I had given them. Each of them told him what he
had received; and they all acknowledged that they had been favoured
with a tolerable portion of brandy. This his majesty insisted on
abridging, in order to increase his own stock; and one person only
refused to obey his orders, for which he was immediately seized. The
negro made some resistance, and was wounded severely in the shoulder
by a sabre. The next morning this ex-minister, a man of fine figure,
tall and robust, was brought on board my ship, loaded with irons,
and sold for a hundred bars.
I was much affected at the fate of this unfortunate man, and had
him conducted to isle St. Louis, where his wounds were dressed
and speedily cured. In the end his friends came to beg him off,
and I restored him to his family.
The kingdom of the Foulahs, which is next to that of Hoval, begins
at Ivory island, near Podor, and is governed by a prince named
Siratick. This is likewise a name of dignity, which the king adds to
that of his family: his states are much greater than those of Brack,
as they extend along the banks of the river, as far as the kingdom
of Galam, a distance of 200 leagues; their width is unknown. The
country is well peopled, and the lands are good and rich.
The Foulahs have a deep black skin, and are neither so large, nor
so handsome as the Yolofs. Siratick is more powerful than Brack,
and has a more numerous cavalry. His states are divided into several
provinces, each of which is governed by a lieutenant who commands
its army, and whose power is absolute.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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