386 MISCONDUCT OF SLAVES. 



were the master's property, there was no good reason why 

 they should, be kept apart. 



Debarred by my precaution from these sources of 

 enjoyment, they took to killing the fowls and goats, and, 

 when the animal was dead, brought it to me saying, " We 

 found this thing lying out there." They then enjoyed a 

 feast of flesh. A feeling of insecurity prevails throughout 

 this country. It is quite common to furnish visitors with 

 the keys of their rooms. When called on to come to 

 breakfast or dinner, each locks his door and puts the key 

 in his pocket. At Kolobeng we never locked our doors 

 by night or by day for months together ; but there slavery 

 is unknown. The Portuguese do not seem at all bigoted 

 in their attachment to slavery, nor yet in their prejudices 

 against colour. Mr. Canto gave an entertainment in 

 order to draw all classes together and promote general 

 good will. Two sovas or native chiefs were present, and 

 took their places without the least appearance of embar- 

 rassment. The sova of Kilombo appeared in the dress of 

 a general, and the sova of Bango was gaily attired in a 

 red coat, profusely ornamented with tinsel. The latter 

 had a band of musicians with him consisting of six trum- 

 peters and four drummers, who performed very well. 

 These men are fond of titles, and the Portuguese Govern- 

 ment humours them by conferring honorary captaincies, 

 &c. : the sova of Bango was at present anxious to obtain 

 the title of " Major of all the Sovas." At the tables of 

 other gentlemen I observed the same thing constantly 

 occurring. At this meeting Mr. Canto communicated some 

 ideas which I had written cut on the dignity of labour, and 

 the superiority of free over slave labour. The Portuguese 

 gentlemen present were anxiously expecting an arrival of 

 American cotton-seed from Mr. Gabriel. They are now 

 in the transition state from unlawful to lawful trade, and 

 turn eagerly to cotton, coffee, and sugar, as new sources 

 of wealth. Mr. Canto had been commissioned by them to 

 purchase three sugar-mills. Our cruisers have been the 

 principal agents in compelling them to abandon the slave- 

 trade ; and our Government, in furnishing them with a 

 supply of cotton-seed, showed a generous intention to aid 

 them in commencing a more honourable course. It can 

 scarcely be believed, however, that after Lord Clarendon 

 had been at the trouble of prociiring fresh cotton-seed 

 through our minister at Washington, and had sent it out 



