358 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
and consequently excluded from all possibility 
(for the present at least) of giving those mis- 
guided people an opportunity of judging for 
themselves between the secure and happy state 
of those whom the exertions of an enlightened 
country and the influence of the Christian reli- 
gion have redeemed from slavery and ignorance, 
and the miserably precarious and blind condi- 
tion to which they are themselves subjected. 
Having thus far stated the difficulties which 
have hitherto impeded, and are still likely to 
impede our researches in, and our civilization 
of Western Africa, it may not be considered 
as adventuring too much if I place before my 
readers a few suggestions, which, if acted upon, 
may have a tendency to diminish, if not to over- 
come them altogether. 
I have adverted amongst others to the diffi- 
culty originating in the fears which were enter- 
tained in consequence of the transactions on the 
Senegal, but on that the remedy is obviously 
one to be administered by the healing hand of 
time. The native chiefs had long received pre- 
sents which were originally granted for the ac- 
commodation and security they affi^rded to the 
European and Senegal merchants who traded 
with them. In the progress of time, however, 
those voluntary presents were not only de- 
manded as a right, but when refused (which was 
