13 
and lying to the westward of the 1oth degree of W. 
longitude, and Her Majesty’s Settlement on the Gambia, 
comprising all places, settlements, and territories which 
may at any time belong to Her Majesty in West Africa, 
between the 12th and 15th degrees of N. latitude, and 
lying to the westward of the 1oth degree of W. longitude. 
The population of the British Settlements on the Gambia 
was given, in 1881, as 14,150, of whom I05 were Euro- 
peans, including crews of ships in harbour. Of the total, 
296 were returned as fishermen and native seamen, whose 
pursuits are mainly, if not altogether, confined to the river 
Gambia. 
On the Gambia fisheries, the Blue Books say that “there 
are none except for the daily table supply, which is varied 
and abundant. Canoes are employed in fishing.” 
The values of imports for 1880 and 1881 are returned as 
4191,580 and £142,589. These figures include £735 and 
41,205 as value of imported salt. Information is not 
particularised of the introduction of any foreign fish. 
The population of Sierra Leone and its dependencies 
was given, in 1881, as 60,546, of whom 271 were whites, 
inclusive of 108 crews of vessels in harbour. Of this total 
there were 1,964 fishermen and native seamen, on whom 
the Colonial Secretary reported as follows :— 
“Of the fishermen and native seamen, who number 
nearly 2,000, more than half. may be said to be fishermen, 
who, beyond providing themselves and their families with 
the means of subsistence, contribute but little to the com- 
forts of the inhabitants, and practically nothing to the 
State. The native seamen, taken all round, are an ill-paid 
and ill-conditioned class, who endure many hardships, and 
who appear to have at present but a slight chance of 
ameliorating their condition.” 
