Liberia <«- 



" The course from Cape Mount to Cape Mesurado is south- 

 east ; the distance eighteen leagues. The coast is clear, and 

 the anchorage is everywhere good. If the wind be contrary 

 it will be proper to anchor ; if there be a calm, for security 

 against the currents, you must also put out your anchors." 

 Chevalier des Marchais, owing to contrary winds, took six 

 days to make this short passage of fifty-four miles. On 

 December 9th, 1724, he anchored a mile and a half from Cape 

 Mesurado. 



A canoe immediately came off to him. He was heartily 

 welcomed by the natives, whom he had visited on a previous 

 occasion on the affairs of the Royal Senegal Company. The 

 '* king," being informed of his arrival, sent his Prime Minister 

 to invite him on shore, and accordingly he landed the next 

 morning. 



" Cape Mesurado is a detached mountain, steep and high 

 towards the sea, but less so on the land side. The summit 

 forms a level plain, the soil of which is better than what is 

 generally found in such situations. On the east is an extensive 

 bay, bordered by a good and uniform soil, which is bounded 

 by hills of a moderate elevation, covered with trees. On 

 the west is another great bay, which receives the River 

 Mesurado." ^ 



" The cape points to the south-east. Its latitude is 6°32' N. 

 and its longitude 5°37' from the meridian of Tenerife. On the 

 east a long spit of land separates the sea from a basin [flaque 

 (Teau) formed by the River Mesurado and a smaller one which joins 

 it. They navigate this last in their canoes, six or seven leagues 

 at low water, and double the distance at high water. The water 

 is always salt, or at least brackish ; and it is full of filth. 

 The course of the River Mesurado is north-west for seventeen 

 1 Des Marchais means by this the St. Paul's. 

 •^^ 94 



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