378 ADDITIONAL NOTICES. [June 27, 1859. 



astonished at our appearance, but quiet and orderly ; certain headmen received 

 me in the most friendly manner and led the way to Joal. 



The king sent word " he was not yet dressed — he did not expect me so 

 early." After some delay his Majesty came with drums, singing men pro- 

 claiming his power, and surrounded by a numerous body of followers arnjed 

 with French and foreign guns, spears, and swords ; a large circle of densely- 

 packed natives sat on the ground, and the palaver commenced. 



Bucarie Chillas is not more than 22 years of age, fully 6 feet 4 in height, 

 of powerful, athletic frame, independent, haughty manner, of a pleasing coun- 

 tenance, and seemingly enlightened and decided disposition. He spoke entirely 

 for himself, made no appeal to his headmen, and discussed with very singular 

 clearness and acuteness the several clauses of the proposed treaty. His Majesty 

 remarked, " the main object was to have traders accredited from me to his 

 country ; all with ' my book ' claimed his protection ; but wanderers (vaga- 

 bonds) and people who came to Joal, paid no custom, and sold their goods 

 to whoever chose to purchase, had no right to demand redress from the king if 

 insulted." He objected to a fixed tariff, as is the case with Demba Sonko, 

 King of Barra, because " the trader bringing a can of rum ought not to pay 

 to the king the same duty as another man bringing a hogshead, or one bringing 

 a few heads of tobacco pay the same as the man with a cargo of goods, but the 

 king required custom in proportion to the stock for sale." 



" Our vessels and mariners wrecked to receive protection, notice being sent 

 to me or to the Governor of Goree." 



The clause, " All traders to behave orderly and respect the laws of Bur 

 Sin," met with general approbation. 



His Majesty was vastly pleased with the soldiers — the first regular troops 

 he had ever seen — particularly with the firelock exercise, marching, a few 

 simple movements, and the firing. He requested " I would sufler my men 

 to sit down, as they must be tired standing ;" which I informed him was 

 never permitted on duty. When he accompanied me to the beach (a mark of 

 especial favour) his Majesty presented the guard with two bullocks. 



Prior to embarking I called on three French Missionaries who lead a 

 dreary, precarious life, tolerated, but not encouraged ; the king " requested I 

 would not visit the French until I had seen him," and subsequently informed 

 me that they wanted a grant of land as a right, but this he was resolved not 

 to concede to them. His Majesty is evidently keenly jealous of any foreign 

 settlement being made in his territory. 



After sunset a salute from heavy buccaneer (elephant) guns was fired 

 from the shore in honour of the treaty, and returned by the Dover with seven 

 carronades. When the last boat came off, three bullocks, presents, were left 

 on the strand : but I had not time, nor, indeed, the means, to fetch them to 

 the steamer. 



" Bur Sin," the northern boundary of the extensive kingdom of " Bur 

 Sallum " (visited by me in May, 1854), divides it from the wild tribes of 

 " Bowals,' " Syrias," and " Lebous." There is no correct survey or any 

 accurate knowledge of the interior of the country, its extent or resources, but 

 the natives always have been, and are, a source of terror to all mariners and 

 traders coasting from Senegal to the south. 



The Syrias (or Sarreres) frequenting Bathurst, many of whom engaged, 

 in my irregular contingent, against the Mahometan rebels of Combo in July 

 and August last, acknowledge Bucarie Chillas as their king. 



The men of Bur Sin are tall, muscular, warlike in appearance, manner, 

 and gait, of a deep black colour, not marked or tattooed ; they wear gre-gris, 

 and believe in the " fetish." To me they seemed a finer and more civilised 

 race than the people of " Bur Sallum." 



The women are tall, full, well made, with small high features, thin 



