\ Discovery in the African Continent. 23 1 



the latter place supplying Angola and the west coast with slaves 

 and native produce. 



The eastern settlements on the Zambezi or Cuama river, with 

 their fairs, extend to above 700 miles from the coast, and 

 although much fallen off from their antient splendor and ex- 

 tensive trade, are still important. Sena and Tete, which are 

 built upon the river, are the head-quarters, commanding cer- 

 tain trading districts ; besides which, is Zumbo, where the 

 Portuguese are allowed a small factory by the natives. 



Senk is a considerable town on the southern bank of the 

 Zambezi, 267 miles above Quilimanci on the coast, and is the 

 principal establishment, it contains about 2000 inhabitants, 

 and, according to Bovvdich, possesses a garrison of forty-nine 

 men. It is protected by a strong fort, and is commanded by 

 an officer subordinate to Mozambique, but superior over all the 

 other settlements on the river. 



The chief mart for gold in the interior, is in Manica, twenty 

 days journey south-west from Sena. Two fairs are held here 

 for the convenience of trade, where the merchants of Sofala 

 and Sen^ carry on their traffic ; the site of one of these is 

 placed by Bowdich in about lat. 19° and long. 31° 30', where 

 is a force kept up of twelve men. This is the m.ist southerly 

 establishment of the Portugueze upon the frontier of the Zam- 

 bezi colony, and not above 450 miles from Kurrechane, that is 

 about one-third of the distance between Kurrechane and Cape 

 Town. The first part of the journey from Sena to the Manica 

 fair lies through a country under the influence of the Portu- 

 gueze, and the remaining part of it comprises districts in the 

 hands of native tribes, which the traders are obliged to conciliate 

 by frequent presents : a tribute also still continues to be paid to 

 the Quiteve, or King, for his permission to carry on the trade, 

 for which purpose an annual deputation is sent from Sena to 

 his capital. Zimbao, situated about two days journey from the 

 frontiers of Manica, on a great river rising in that territory, 

 this stream is navigable, and Zimbao is reported to be about 

 fifteen days journey from Sofala Bay. 



" The country around Manica is extremely fertile, and yields 

 abundance of provisions and cattle. It is very mountainous, 

 and supposed to lie at a great elevation al)ove the sea, the 

 weather at times being unusually cold for the latitude in which 

 it is situated. Frequent storms of thunder and lightning occur, 

 which are attributed by the Portugueze to the immense quanti- 

 ties of metallic substances with which the country abounds. 

 The trade is here carried on by barter, and the goods most 

 valued are Surat cloths, beads, coarse silks, and iron ; and the 

 returns, besides gold, consist of ivory, ghee, and a small quan- 

 tity of copper." 



