14 A Notice of the Progress of the Expedition 



they reached the town of the chief who had formerly hought 

 him and his brother out of slavery, aud who had received but 

 a very small recompense for so good an action. There he 

 •went on shore, aud was greeted by the old chief, who was de- 

 li<^hted with the different presents he brought for him, and 

 which were purchased with a hundred pounds which had been 

 assigned by Government for that purpose. Amongst the arti- 

 cles were a general's full uniform, twenty suits of regimentals, 

 twenty muskets, and a quantity of ball cartridge. The chief 

 immediately dressed himself and caused some of his head men 

 to do the same, after which he paraded them before Lander, 

 and made them lire three salutes. 



Here they remained only a short time, and then proceeded 

 further up the river, which in some parts was so shallow 

 that the steam boats stirred up the mud at a depth of six feet. 

 After having wooded aud watered afresh, they advanced towards 

 the town of a very considerable king or chief, who had received 

 information of their intended visit from the Bonney people who 

 keep up a constant communication with the towns on the river, 

 and supply them with ivory and palm oil. These people brought 

 presents with them for that chief, iu hopes of inducing him to 

 oppose the progress of the vessel which they considered encroach- 

 ing upon their trade. This sort of bribery appears to have 



originated with some merchants, who, it is understood, 



have instructed the masters of their vessels, trading with the' 

 Bonnej's, to throw every obstacle in the way of the expedition, 

 and to give presents to the different chiefs to encourage their 

 opposition to it. 



As soon as the vessels had arrived within a day's sail of the 

 town, the chief sent down a great number of canoes, and in one 

 of them a messenger with information, that if they proceeded 

 farther the king would make " war palaver." Lander returned 

 for answer that they had come to trade, and not to make war ;• 

 that he did not fear the king, yet nevertheless wished friendship 

 and not enmity to exist. He sent him also some presents, and 

 according to the custom of the country, two rings which he 

 was to place on the fourth finger of the right hand, if he was 

 inclined for peace, but if for war they were to be returned, 

 when he would make "war palaver — white man's war palaver." 

 The messenger with the canoes returned armed to the town, 

 upon which all the head men were called together to decide 

 whether there should be war or peace. The accomplishment of 

 that required two days ; and was in favor of peace, as was 

 declared by the king placing the rings upon his fourth finger, 

 and dispatching several chiefs with 4 cwt. of ivory, and a 

 request to see Lander. The vessels were now moved up in front 

 <ii the town, and he went on shore with additional presents. 



