VALUABLE ANTli)OtE. 
tènd to be so, have established themselves in gfeat nitmberS : 
they live in the most disgusting idleness, passing the whole day 
on mats in the vestibule of their houses, srrioking and gossiping. 
They very seldom take a walk, and never hunt; nideed they take 
no sort of exercise, every thing being done for them by their do- 
mestics : the latter are constantly employed in trading for their 
masters; and the profits which they derive, are sufficient for the 
Subsistence of the Portuguese, many of whom even obtain a smsill 
fortune from the industry of their servants. But notwithstanding 
this, most of them are so indolent, that they live iti the manner 
of the Negroes, and even worse ; insomuch that they often want 
the necessaries of life : they have neither the foresight nor the 
courage to procure themselves vegetables in such a fertile coun- 
try, the industry to breed domestic animals, nor the strength to 
hunt game, with which the whole territory abounds. 
One may judge of the apathy of these people by the state of 
the village of Goli, which contains about four thousand inhabit- 
ants, who call themselves Portuguese, though there are not 
amongst them more than ten or twelve families ; all the rest being 
Mulattoes or Negroes. It is situated on an eminence and in an 
advantageous position; but it has no wall. The houses are built 
of wood ; and the environs, which were formerly cultivated, are 
now fallows. The inhabitants get their provisions from the Ne- 
groes of the surrounding villages. 
About ten ojp twelve leagues to the south of the river of Gesves, 
is that to which the Portuguese have given the name of Rio 
Grande, on account of its extent compared with the others which 
are near it. From this river they derive ivory, wax, gold, and 
slaves ; the quantity or number of which varies according to the 
wars which the people make among themselves. On ascending 
this river to the height of eighty leagues or thereabouts from its 
mouth, you meet with a nation of Negroes called Anabous: they 
are good merchants, and supply much ivory and rice, as well as 
some slaves. 
On proceeding along the coast to the southward, and about 
sixteen leagues from Rio Grande, you come to the river of 
Nongne; it is considerable, and extends very far up the country: 
it furnishes about three hundred quintals of ivory, some slaves, 
and rice at a very cheap rate. Sugar-canes and indigo grow^ 
spontaneously in that quarter, and are very good. 
From these districts a salt is derived which is held in much es- 
timation by the Portuguese, who consider it an excellent anti- 
dote. The history of the discovery of such a great virtue in this 
salt is worthy of relation. It appears to have been owing to an 
elephant, who when wounded by a poisoned arrow, a weapon 
M'hich the Negroes shoot at those raonstrou?' animals, continued, 
DUR AMD.] K 
