388 REMARKS ON 



although there is no doubt that, if properly ma- 

 naged, it would be the most effectual way of im- 

 proving the quality and increasing the quantity 

 of African produce in the shortest time. In 

 either case, all that is wanted are given points 

 where the merchant may deposit his goods in 

 security, to be exchanged for produce : private 

 enterprise will do all the rest. 



A reference to the map will show at once that 

 either of these measures would prove most satis- 

 factory in its results. By the Niger the whole 

 of Western Africa would be embraced ; by the 

 Shary (which I have no doubt will be found na- 

 vigable to the meridian of 25 East longitude) a 

 communication would be opened with all the 

 nations inhabiting the unknown countries be- 

 tween the Niger and the Nile. British influence 

 and enterprise would thereby penetrate into the 

 remotest recesses of the country, one hundred 

 millions of people would be brought into direct 

 contact with the civilised world ; new and bound- 

 less markets would be opened to our manu- 

 factures ; a continent teeming with inexhaustible 

 fertility would yield her riches to our traders ; 

 not merely a nation, but hundreds of nations, 

 would be awakened from the lethargy of cen- 



