200 
DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
Great mystery is observed by the merchants as to 
the places where the gold is obtained. The ivory, 
or elephants' teeth, is generally brought from a 
considerable distance inland. It is obtained either 
by killing the animal, or by finding the teeth in 
the woods. They are esteemed according to their 
size ; one of 100 lbs. being of more value than three 
that together weigh 140 lbs. 
The grand object of this commerce, however, is 
slaves. These also are brought chiefly from the 
interior, and consist of Bumbrongs (Bambarrans) 
and Petcharies. They are bound together with 
leather thongs, and walk thirty or forty in a string, 
at about a yard's distance from each other. In 
their way, they travel through extensive woods and 
wastes, (the Jallonka wilderness of Park,) and are 
obliged to carry with them both wood and water. 
The merchants who conduct this trade are of the 
Mandingo race, commonly called Joncoes ; and 
amount in number to about a hundred. As to the 
mode of procuring the slaves, they are either those 
taken in war, those condemned for crimes, " or 
" else people stolen, which is very frequent." The 
Company's servants piqued themselves upon never 
buying any of the last, is till after a consultation 
" with the alcade," which we suspect had their 
own security only in view. All offences, from the 
lightest to the most atrocious, are punished alike 
with slavery \ " and they strain for crimes very 
