THE GUM TRADE. 
137 
able footing; but^ if such a thing is suggested, they take 
fright and protest that it is impossible to deal honestly with 
the Moors. Government alone could set matters right, by 
forming a company, in which each member might hold a 
share proportionate to his capital, and then appointing two 
agents to traffic at each port, subject to the inspection of a 
government-officer, whose business it would be to see that the 
conditions on each side were fulfilled. By these means, 
competition would be annihilated, and the expenses consi- 
derably reduced, because a single ship would be sufficient 
at each port, and the gum would be conveyed to St. Louis 
in boats. The Moors would be unwilling to submit to any 
alteration at first, but when they should have ascertained 
that there was no other intention than that of dealing fairly 
with them, a mutual confidence would soon take place be- 
tween them and the dealers, which would permit the latter 
to behave in a manner more suitable to the dignity of the 
French character. The merchants allege that the Moors in 
this case would take their gum to Portendick ; but they 
would not take it all thither ; and government would have 
it in its power to adopt measures for diminishing the com- 
petition which the English are creating at that port. 
During the traffic, many camps of the zenagues estab- 
lish themselves near the port, to be ready to sell the produce 
of their herds and flocks. Morning and evening the women 
bring milk and butter to barter for Guinea cloth, gunpowder, 
glass wares, etc. A pound of butter sells for about seven 
pence halfpenny, and a calabash of milk for two pence half- 
penny. 
Those Moors who have no gum, and who cannot pro- 
cure the means of subsistence at the port, force themselves 
into the camps of these poor creatures, live upon them, and 
devour the profits which they have made by the sale of their 
commodities. It is indeed an established principle, that this 
class should be continually plundered by the others. 
