184 DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
them the envy of the neighbouring states, viewed 
with jealousy the entrance of foreigners into their 
territories, and admitted only a certain class of 
merchants who were known to them, and with 
whose services they could not dispense. Brue was 
always sensible, that no success could be hoped in 
this undertaking, unless an establishment were 
previously formed in Gallam ; and, with that 
view, he had made the voyage, the particulars of 
which we have already narrated. Having fixed on 
the situation above noticed, near Dramanet, he 
strongly urged the company at home to build a fort 
here, and make it the centre of their trade with 
the interior. The slowness and indecision inci- 
dent to corporate bodies, caused such continued 
delays, as made him at last give up all hope, when, 
in 1700, a vessel arrived from France with instruc- 
tions, and the requisite means, for forming the 
establishment. The fort was accordingly built ; 
but, unfortunately, the agent employed, disregard- 
ing the position chosen by Brue, erected it on an- 
other, which was much too low, so that the first 
inundation of the Senegal swept it entirely away. 
The active measures of the Director soon caused it 
to be erected anew ; but immediately after, in 
1702, he was recalled to France. This ill-judged 
step was soon followed by a dissolution of that 
good understanding which had so long subsisted 
between the French and the natives. The people 
