GENÈROSITY OF THE NEGROES. 
they observe state formalities,and the custom of sending anibassadors 
is iaiDiliar to them, either to solicit assistance against a powerful 
enemy, or to obtain a mediation on pohits of difference. These 
ambassadors, however, do not occupy themselves with compli- 
cated subjects, but speak only on affairs of the moment; they 
are every where honoured and respected, their persons are held 
sacred, and they generally go in bodies of live or six together, 
preceded by a drum, which announces them at a distance. 
Their wars are not better arranged than their politics. Every 
free man is a soldier; but no government has troops in its pay. 
On the first signal, the army collects and marches ; and often^ 
hostilities which began in the morning, are finished before night. 
They never yield a portion of territory, but take or keep all or 
none. Sometimes they dethrone a king, and another takes his 
place; but the territory always belongs to the people at large. 
Thus neither the great nor small states are dismembered, as the 
commonalty would oppose such a proceeding, and the chiefs are 
too wise thus to aggrandise themselves. Besides, these people 
do not attach any idea of glory to their conquests. Their pri- 
soners are slaves, except the princes, who, as has already been 
stated, always enjoy their liberty by unanimous consent : they are 
given up immediately on certain conditions, or put to death ; the 
rest are either exchanged or sold. 
The ordinary occasions for the wars which almost ahvays pre- 
vail in these countries, are, an insult at the time of a ceremoiiy ; 
a violent- robbery ; the injury of a girl, or the attack of a ban- 
ditti. 
In the course of my work I have explained the religion of all 
these hordes, as well as their laws relative to polygamy, marri- 
age, and burial. Polygamy is not only even permitted, but ho- 
noured amongst them, whether Mussulmans or idolaters. The 
Christians here', as in Europe, have only one wife. I believe that 
the custom which formerly prevailed, of interring several per- 
sons alive with the dead body of a man of quality, is totally abo- 
lished. 
One of the distinctive characterististics of these people, ex- 
cept such as reside on thè coasts, and for whom commerce has 
created artificial wants, is a total indilFerence towards riches ; in 
consequence of which hospitality is a common virtue amongst 
them. Their houses are open at meal-times, and travellers, 
whether rich or poor, may enter, and eat and drink with the fa- 
mily: they may even reside with them, if they wish so to do, 
and all their suite is well treated during their stay, without any 
recompence being expected. Amongst themselves, the Negro, 
who would refuse to divide with his relations, friends, and uej^di- 
