more houses equally well guarded. At this moment he was also at war with the village of Damsa, inhabited by pagans and situated upon the Milo, between Kankan and Bouré, which intercepted the communication between the two districts. It is desirable that attempts should be made to establish a factory at Bamako; this post would command the commerce of the interior, by attracting the produce of the gold mines, which is exported in part to Kakondy, the Gambia, and Sierra-Leone. Senegal, on account of its distance, cannot participate in this traffic, because the Mandingo merchants would be obliged to traverse Kankan, Baléya, Fouta-Dhialon, Bondou, Fouta-Toro, and part of Cayor or of the Wâlo country, to arrive there. It would, in the first instance, be requisite to ascertain the distance between Bamako and the point of the Senegal to which vessels can ascend—I mean above the rock of Felou. After having established a factory near this cataract, another should be formed where the river ceases to be navigable. It is to be presumed that from this second station at Bamako it would not be more than eight or ten days’ journey; and from this important point the caravans of salt and of European commodities would proceed to Bamako. It is perhaps to be feared, that the natives would oppose this plan; but they might soon be brought to think more favourably, by shewing them the great advantages to be derived from the arrangement, and by paying them annual duties: the conduct of these people will always be governed by interest. The Moors, who carry on the greater part of this commerce which enriches them, would oppose to the utmost of their power this project of an establishment; but the duties that would be paid to the negro king would smooth away all difficulties; for the Moors pay no tribute whatever.