REGAL AFFABILITY* 
slave trade^ consider them as the handsomest Negroes on that 
part of the continent. These people are divided into several kingv 
cioms or independent states,whicli are frequently at war with each 
other^ or with their neighbours. Their religion is that of iN'Ia- 
homet; and their manners, superstitions, and forms of govera- 
ment, bear a perfect resemblance to those of the Mandingos al- 
ready described. They excel the latter in the art of manufacturing 
cotton, and they also spin the finest wool, w hich they card and 
weave into broad cloths. I have spoken of their dress and lan^ 
guage in an early part of the present work. 
King Brack, the sovereign of Hoval, has an absolute powder 
over his subjects, and can reduce them to slavery, or sell them 
with impunity. He is the owner of all the lands; ai\d those 
which he has chosen for himself, are cultivated bv anv of the 
subjects v.'hom he may fix on. During the journies which he 
makes, h^ is kept, and his expences are defrayed by his people. 
His revenues certainly are not considerable ; but he wants for 
îiothing. This prince receives annually from France, ^ duty in 
money, to the amount of 4915 livres. 
In time of war all his subjects are obliged to take up arms at 
their own expence; the chiefs of each village conduct their troops, 
and unite round the prince. The greatest portion of this un- 
disciplined military force is the cavalry. They march without 
provisions, and have no other advantage than what they derive 
from spoliation, of which the king has the greatest share. The 
princes and chiefs have nearly an equal portion, and they all profit 
more or less by the spoils of the vanquished party. The value 
and importance of such booty depend on the number of men 
taken and made slaves at the time of the engagement; and a 
single battle decides the fate of the country. Tiie vanquished 
side capitulates in the field of action, and the conquerors return 
home ; but the conditions being rarely observed, tliey cause a new 
war to break out, which leads to the same result. 
I shall give a few particulars of the manners and customs of 
Icing Brack, which I observed during an interview^ that 1 had with 
him at his express desire. 
In the beginning of April 17B8, I made a journey to Podor, 
with the intention of reconnoitering the coast, ascertaining the 
course of the river, and making some regulations in the gum- 
trade. A few leagues before I arrived at the isle of Toddee, I 
perceived on the left bank, a numerous body of cavalry, and was 
informed, that king Brack wished for boats to be sent to brhig 
him on board my vessel. I therefore sent two canoe«, which 
returned with the king, five of his ministers, and four of his 
musicians. As soon as the prince embarlved, I saluted him with 
o % 
