360 
park's first journey. 
withstanding the uniformity of the negro wars, 
that of Kaarta derives considerable interest from 
the amicable character of the chief of that coun- 
try. It originated in a contest concerning the 
restitution of some cattle that had been stolen by 
the Moors from Bambara, and sold to the chief 
of the Kaartan village. Mansong, king of Bam- 
bara, who had been long jealous of the prosperity 
of Kaarta, availing himself of this pretext, sent a 
message to king Daisy, desiring him to direct his 
slaves to sweep the houses, and have every thing 
prepared, as the king of Bambara, with 9000 
men, would visit Kemmoo in the dry season. 
This insulting message was accompanied with a 
hieroglyphical present. It consisted of a pair of 
ii'on sandals, and the explanation was supplied by 
the bearer, " that, until the king of Kaarta had 
" worn out these in his flight, he should not be 
" secure from the arrows of Bambara." The 
Kaartan prince, after consulting with his chief 
men, returned a similar defiance, and, immedi- 
ately issuing proclamations, called upon his friends 
to join him, permitting all who were unarmed, or 
afraid of the war, to retire into any of the ad- 
joining states, whence they should always be 
welcome to return, if they observed a rigid neu- 
trality ; but if they engaged in hostilities against 
their native country, he declared, that " they had 
broken the keys of their huts, and could oever 
