Chap. XXL PUNGO ANDONGO. 419 



had been nominated by the Portfolio of this general Government, 

 No. 41, of 27th December of the past year ; and if not otherwise 

 determined, the same official shall be judged by a council of war 

 for the criminal acts, winch are to him attributed." 



Even this public mention of his crimes, attaches no stigma to the 

 man's character. The council of war, by winch these delinquents 

 always prefer to be judged, is composed of men who eagerly ex- 

 pect to occupy the post of commandant themselves, and anticipate 

 then own trial for similar acts at some future time. The severest 

 sentence a council of war awards, is a few weeks' suspension from 

 office in his regiment. 



This want of official integrity, winch is not at all attributable 

 to the Home Government of Portugal, would prove a serious im- 

 pediment in the way of foreign enterprise developing the resources 

 of this rich province. And to this cause indeed, may be ascribed 

 the failure of the Portuguese laws for the entire suppression of 

 the slave-trade. The officers ought to receive higher pay, if 

 integrity is expected from them. At present, a captain's pay for 

 a year, will only keep Inm hi good uniform. The high pay our 

 own officers receive, has manifest advantages. 



Before leaving Ambaca, we received a present of ten head of 

 cattle from Mr. Schut of Loanda, and, as it shows the cheapness 

 of provisions here, I may mention that the cost was only about a 

 guinea per head. 



On crossing the Lucalla, we made a detour to the south, in 

 order to visit the famous rocks of Pungo Andongo. As soon as 

 we crossed the rivulet Lotete, a change in the vegetation of the 

 country was apparent. We found trees identical with those to be 

 seen south of the Chobe. The grass too stands in tufts, and is of 

 that kind which the natives consider to be best adapted for cattle. 

 Two species of grape-bearing vines abound everywhere in this 

 district, and the influence of the good pasturage is seen in the 

 plump condition of the cattle. In all my previous inquiries 

 respecting the vegetable products of Angola I was invariably 

 directed to Pungo Andongo. Do you grow wheat? " yes, 

 in Pungo Andongo." — Grapes, figs, or peaches? " yes, in 

 Pungo Andongo." — Do you make butter, cheese, &c. ? The 

 uniform answer was, " yes, there is abundance of all these hi 

 Pungo Andongo." But when we arrived here, we found that the 



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