168 
VOYAGE TO SENEGAL. 
when fresh ; but if kept for a time^ it becomes rank, and loses 
its colour, taste, and smell. It is said to possess some medici- 
nal virtues, particularly in the gout, the pain of which it relieves. 
There are several species of palm-trees, all of which are pro- 
duced in Africa in great abundance. Those which are found on 
tlie banks of the Senegal, afford no fruit; nor did I ever find any 
dates amongst them, though I made a particular search. Why 
these trees are barren in the positions just mentioned, I cannot 
perceive, as they bear fruit in the interior and on the coast of 
Barbary. 
I have now said enough to shew the utility of the journey that 
I have described. I received through Rubault a letter from 
Sirlan, prince (:»f Galam, stating that soon after my envoy's arri- 
val, he had procured for the company upwards of 200 slaves, and 
a quantity of gold and ivory. 
' ■■—I I W il l i Will I 
CHAP. XVI f, 
ACCOUIVT OF THE SITUATION OF RUBAULT AT GALAM, AT 
THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE FROM ISLE ST. LOUIS. 
PERIOD OF MY EMBARKATION. ARRANGEMENTS 
WHICH Î MADE FOR THE SAILING OF A FLEET TO GA- 
LAM, AND FAILURE OF ITS OBJECT. MELANCHOLY 
END OF RUBAULT. G EN E H A L REFLECTION S ON THE 
VOYAGE TO GALAM.- — REMARKS ON THE KINGDOM OF 
EAMBOUK AND ITS GOLD MINES. 
It was evident that Rubault was treated with the highèst respect 
at Galam; the governor and the inhabitants , were all eager to 
serve him, while the neighbouring princes sought his alliance, and 
kept up an amicable correspondence w ith him, to induce him to 
form establishments in their states ; to effect which, négociations 
were actually opened, that would have answered our most san- 
guine wishes. The report of the re-establishment of the French 
factory at Galam was soon spread through the country, and every 
day produced important changes in our favour ; while the routes 
from the interior were covered with people, who conveyed their 
slaves and merchandize to Galam. In short, the influx was so 
great, tliat Rubault had no merchandize to give in exchange. Never- 
theless the Negro merchants or Moors gave credit to Rubault 
for all their articles at a price agreed on, and which was to be de- 
frayed on the arrival of the fleet. 
Rubault had purchased upwards of 1000 slaves of different 
nations, and had collected a quantity of gold, 800 quintals of 
ivory, and a number of precious stones and objects of natural 
history; while die trade^ which had already become so important. 
