2l6 
TRAVELS IN THE 
in Hoiissa, the Negroes are in greater proportion to the Moors, 
^^nd have some share in the government. 
Concerning the small kingdom of Jinbala, I was not able to 
collect much information. The soil is said to be remarkably 
fertile, and the whole country so full of creeks and swamps, 
that the Moors have hitherto been baffled in every attempt to 
subdue it. The inhabitants are Negroes, and some of them 
are said to live in considerable affluence, particularly those near 
the capital ; which is a resting-place for such merchants as 
transport goods from Tombuctoo to the western parts of 
Africa. '^'f r-- 
To the southward of Jinbala, is situated the Negro kingdom 
of Gotto, which is said to be of great extent. It was formerly 
divided into a number of petty states, which were governed by 
their own chiefs ; but their private quarrels invited invasion 
from the neighbouring kingdoms. At length a politic chief, 
of the name of Moossee, had address enough to make them 
unite in hostilities against Bambarra ; and on this occasion he 
was unanimously chosen general ; the different chiefs consenting 
for a time to act under his command. Moossee immediately dis- 
patched a fleet of canoes, loaded with provisions, from the 
banks of the lake Dibbie up the Niger, towards Jenne, and 
with the whole of his army pushed forwards into Bambarra. 
He arrived on the bank of the Niger opposite to Jenn^, before 
the townspeople had the smallest intimation of his approach; 
his fleet of canoes joined him the same day, and having landed 
the provisions, he embarked part of his army, and in the night 
took Jenn6 by storm. This event so terrified the King of 
