In February, 1885, when the fate of this section of Africa was being decided by Europe and America in Berlin, there were only three steam-launches and three steel row-boats on the waters of the upper Congo. They had been conveyed in pieces of sixty pounds weight, or hauled on wagons past the cataracts, after an enormous expenditure of money and labor. But now that the new state was fairly launched into existence, it was necessary to increase the flotilla, and provide means commensurate with the long list of duties which it had accepted. The revenue which hitherto had solely been the bounty of King Leopold was increased by an export tax on the commercial shipments from the Congo. King Leopold also guaranteed the continuation of his bounty to the year 1900 of £40,000 annually. Belgium granted the annual subsidy of £80,000. From all sources there was an assured revenue of about £150,000. The government, mission societies, and mercantile companies hastened to provide means for the utilization of the long stretches of navigable water above the cataracts. Steamer after steamer, boat after boat, have been sent up, until now on the waters of the upper river there are over thirty steamers and forty steel boats. The banks of the main river are now free from danger of invasion, even were all the numerous bands and slavers south of the equator united in array against the state. At the mouth of the Aruwimi, 150 miles below Stanley Falls, there is a garrison of 600 soldiers, and attached to the station are steamers and boats of its own to convey immediate reinforcements to the military outpost yet maintained at Stanley Falls. Three hundred miles below is Bangala, which contains a still larger force. This station would be no discredit to any part of the African coast. The establishments are mostly built of brick manufactured on the premises. Strong bastions, on which are mounted Krupp nine-pounders, command the approaches. The military force of the state now numbers 4000 rifle-armed police. It is mostly recruited from the powerful and warlike tribe of Bangala, which in 1877, during our descent of the Congo, poured out in almost overpowering numbers to arrest our descent. The banks of the great tributaries, Aruwimi, Wellé-Mobangi, Lumami, and Kassai, are equally protected against the incursions of the destroying bands. But though the efforts of the young state, after straining its resources to the utmost, have been marked by signal and unexpected success, a great deal more has to be accomplished before it can proclaim that the slave hunts and ivory raids have altogether ceased.