306 
THE WESTERN COAST. 
been remarkable since the reign of Guadja Trudo, 
the conqueror of Whida Ardra, Torree, Didouma, 
Ajirah, and Jacquin, who died in 1731. Guadja 
Trudo was almost as good a conqueror as any Bar- 
barian that was ever dignified with that appella- 
tion. He waded to glory through seas of blood, 
I am not sure if we may call it innocent ; if he 
did not exhibit true magnanimity, he always dis- 
played what is equally good for a conqueror, a true 
belligerent insensibility to the miseries of his own, 
and of every other nation ; and, when he could not 
lead the Dahomans, he drove them to victory. His 
policy was that of an ambitious savage, who sought 
to retain the territory he had conquered, by burn- 
ing the towns, and massacring the inhabitants ; but 
his views were more extensive than those of his 
countrymen, and the character given of him by 
Snelgrave appears to be just ; who declares, that 
he found him the most extraordinary man of his 
colour with whom he had ever conversed. His 
fame still remains in Dahomy, where his memory is 
revered, and where, in the most solemn oaths, they 
swear by his name. Bossa Ahadee, and Adahoon- 
zou, the son and grandson of Trudo, possessed the 
same restless ambitious spirit, without his martial 
talents. 
The above summary of information relative to 
the western coast of Africa was drawn up by Dr 
