TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
359 
only the case where a breach of faith on their 
part was committed), were enforced by the pro- 
hibition of further commercial intercourse, and 
this generally terminated in a compliance with 
their demand. This peaceable, and even almost 
necessary mode of conciliation, at the period I 
speak of, was afterwards continued as a matter 
of course. The arrogance of the native chief was 
pampered by the yielding, and his cupidity was 
fed by the necessity of doing so. And the evil 
did not rest here, for as we conceded they ad- 
vanced fresh claims, which, even when admitted, 
afforded no certainty that their promises with us 
would be fulfilled. 
Immediately after our cession of that colony, 
the French authorities there decided on con- 
vincing those people, that, although they were 
willing, in a great degree, to submit to the cus- 
tom which had so long existed, yet, that they 
would not quietly bear the obstructions thrown 
in the way of their commercial pursuits upon 
the Upper Senegal ; and prepared to meet force 
by force, which was eventually rendered neces- 
sary by the hostile threats and actions of the 
natives. Time, and time alone, can afford to 
those natives a proof that the resistance forced 
upon the French was not an act of disrespect to 
them, or of a disposition to invade their just pre- 
tensions or their rights j but intended to shew 
