7192. Viscount _Courtenay_.] Was it wild or cultivated cotton?--He told me that he had cultivated it; and it appeared to me to be particularly good; it was much finer than any I have seen elsewhere. 7193. Mr. _Aldam_.] Did you see any cotton cultivated?--No, I did not see any cultivated; this was up the country, 10 or 12 miles up the Gallinas River. 7194. Would it be practicable to collect a considerable quantity of wild cotton?--No; I think the wild cotton is so much scattered, that without cultivation they could not collect any quantity. 7195. _Chairman._] Had you any conversation with the chief upon the advantage with which the people might be employed in raising produce rather than their being sold as slaves?--Frequently I endeavoured to instil into their minds the advantages they would derive from giving up the slave trade, and employing their own slaves in tilling the ground, and collecting cam wood, and any thing the country might produce. I think in many parts of the Gallinas the country is capable of being cultivated to a great extent. I am now speaking of King Siacca’s Town, which is 10 or 12 miles up the river. 7196. Do you think it would be of advantage, either for the suppression of the slave trade, or for the encouragement of the lawful trade to have factories or forts planted at particular points?--I think, decidedly; I think if factories were established along the coast, it would materially lead to the suppression of the slave trade, and also to the cultivation and improvement of Africa generally; I think particularly on the coast from Sierra Leone to Cape Mount, which has been the chief slavery district on that part of Africa. 7197. Have you had reason to know whether there would be facilities or otherwise for the purchase of sites for settlements of that description from the native chiefs?--I think there might be a little opposition made in the first instance, which might easily be overcome. I remember one of the chiefs of the Gallinas telling me that he would have no objection to see the English settle there; but others again did not seem so desirous of it. Again, at Cape Mount the chief was very anxious that the English should establish themselves, and carry on trade there; and when I was last at Cape Mount the English flag was flying. The American governor of Liberia came up, and was very desirous that the American flag should be likewise hoisted, which the chief refused; he showed a decided preference to the English.