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4 
open arms — they are fond of commercial pursuits — under ordi- 
nary circumstances, they are kind to strangers and honest in their 
dealings — and their language extends northward as far as the in- 
formation of the missionaries reaches. It is thus evident, — first, 
that rude as are the natives of South Africa, a trade is persever- 
ingly carried on with them by the colonists under great disadvan- 
tages; a trade which, without large gross profits, could not be 
carried on at all : secondly, that from the docility of the natives, 
and the probably rapid growth of the civilization, the seeds of 
which are now scattered among them, this trade will continually 
increase ; and thirdly, that it may be prodigiously benefited by 
opening an intercourse with the interior, from Dalagoa Bay. 
An easy access would thus be at once obtained to the most 
populous country; the advantages of water-carriage would be 
secured — for the Mannees and Maputa rivers are unquestionably 
navigable to a considerable distance during a great part of the 
year; many raw products, such as timber, iron, copper, &c., 
which cannot repay the expense of a protracted land-carriage, 
might be exported ; the colony would be in a great measure 
relieved from the vexations of a frontier trade, and the natives 
would have the advantage of dealing with a more respectable 
class of men than the wanderers who at present teach them cor- 
ruption and mistrust. 
When the Dutch had possession of Dalagoa Bay (from 17^1 
to 1729), they exported ivory, tin, copper, gold, aloes, amber- 
gris, and honey, besides timber to Cape Town. To this list of 
exports may be added the following articles : — iron, of the best 
quality, bees'-wax, gums, ostrich feathers, hides, horns, hippopo- 
tamus' teeth, and perhaps civet. The natives have many wants, 
but that, of clothing is paramount; Surat cottons and soft wool- 
lens are the merchandise most highly prized. The skins of wild 
animals, of which they make their mantles, are many of them 
very beautiful, particularly those of the lynx, worn only by the 
chiefs. These skins might perhaps become a profitable article m 
the China trade. 
