MASSOWA. 
207 
Massowa previously to his own assumption of the government. 
He had disapproved, he assured me, of the conduct of the latter, 
and in consequence had removed him. With respect to presents 
from sovereigns, he fully admitted the privileges to which they 
were entitled ; and, therefore, if I would pledge my word to the 
fact, he did not hesitate to declare, that, whatever they might be, 
I should be at liberty to take them into the country ; but, he 
added, that he should wish to have a sight of a part, that he 
might be able to send a satisfactory account respecting them to 
the Sheriffe of Mecca/' 
To this reasonable proposition I immediately assented, and, at 
the same time, to convince him of my acting without reserve, 
mentioned to him the circumstance of my having two small 
pieces of cannon to be carried into the country. I'o my great 
surprise, he raised no objection to this undertaking, and, in 
every thing else, appeared extremely willing to furnish me with 
every accommodation to facilitate my views. He soon afterwards, 
in a jesting tone, remarked, that he could not imagine the reason, 
why our king should send presents to mjidels ; for, at Massowa, 
they would not allow the Abyssinians to be Christians. I observ- 
ed, in reply, that this was a subject upon which I did not feel 
inclined to enter ; I had received my instructions, and by those I 
must abide. Aye,'' said he, you are in the same predicament 
as myself ; I am here acting under the command of my superiors, 
you of yours ; let us both do our duty, and be friends." I paid 
him some compliments in return for this good-natured sally ; and 
then seized the opportunity to mention, that I had to request his 
acceptance of a small present which I would send in any way 
