MOSAMBIQUE. 
23 
by several officers in waiting to the Government House, a hand- 
some building that makes a conspicuous object in the annexed 
view of the town. Here we were introduced into a large saloon, 
in which were assembled most of the military officers and civil 
servants in the Settlement. The manner in which we were 
received was extremely gratifying, and the Governor, Don Antonio 
Manoel de Mello Castro e Mendoca assured us that he would do 
every thing in his power to facilitate our views, and make our 
stay at Mosambique agreeable. 
This gentleman had arrived and taken the command of the 
Government only twelve days before, which was a fortunate cir- 
cumstance, as he possessed a much higher character and more 
liberal feelings than is generally lo be expected in a person at the 
head of a Portuguese settlement. He had early in life been 
employed in the Mediterranean, and had afterwards served eleven 
years in the Azores, had been subsequently promoted to the 
government of St. Paul in the Brazils, and had now accepted 
the government of Mosambique at the earnest desire of the Prince 
Regent of Portugal for the purpose of arranging the affairs of 
the colony, which had latterly fallen into great disorder. 
Before we returned to the ship we made a circuit of the town; 
the first aspect of it and of the people, forms a strange mixture of 
Indian, Arabian and European costume, not blending very 
harmoniously together, and of which it is difficult to convey an 
adequate idea to any one unacquainted with the three countries, 
. On Saturday the 26th of August, having expressed a wish to 
see the Fort, an order was immediately issued for the purpose. 
The Commandant received us at the gateway and w^ent round 
