354 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



only very lately been annexed, is a most valuable 

 possession, as it is maintained at such a cost of life 

 and treasure. But this is not the case : it is and 

 ever will be a worthless appendage to the Crown, 

 and will never repay the outlay expended upon it. 

 Originally it was a notorious haunt for slavers, the 

 numerous lagoons running parallel to the coast 

 enabling the merchants of black ivory to run 

 cargoes without much danger of interception by 

 the cruisers watching the coast. 



There being now no market for this commodity, 

 the trade has virtually ceased ; and this settlement, 

 which was only established for the pievention of 

 the slave-trade, might be given up with the slave 

 squadron, as its possession is of no earthly use to 

 England. 



All African traders will, I am sure, confirm my 

 opinion, " that British annexation on the Coast kills 

 trade :" and this assertion is easily proved, for the 

 River Bonny, where we have not a single official, 

 does a larger export and import trade than all our 

 British colonies and settlements on the Coast put 

 together, which, with their attendant expenses for 



