TRADE. 
341 
Let us suppose this irreconcilable obstacle to be annihilated, as 
no doubt it will be, and resume our reflections on a commercial 
intercourse with the interior. The people of Inta and Dagwumba, 
being commercial rather than warlike, the object, deliberately to 
be obtained, is an intercourse with them, which would in fact be 
an intercourse with the interior as far as Timbuctoo and Houssa 
northwards, and Cassina, if not to Borneo, eastwards. The wealth, 
civilization, and commerce of Dagwumba, Mr. Lucas has before 
reported. Now, in effecting such an intercourse through the 
Ashantees, who are indisputably the greatest and the rising power 
of western Africa, and who, having acquired their present extent 
of influence and command in little more than a century, may be 
expected to aggrandize their empire considerably ; in seeking this 
connection through them, there are these adverse circumstances, 
their policy, their jealousy, and their inaptitude to commerce. It 
has been suggested to the King, and urged with all the address of 
General Daendels, to open a path to the interior through his king- 
dom, and to receive a dutv or tax on all the merchandize tran- 
sported, which would afford him a certain and considerable addition 
to his revenue; but even this appeal to the avarice of the Asliantee 
government has had no influence. It would be dangerous as well 
as impolitic to offend the King of A shantee at any time, with the 
present garrisons of the forts, madness; and though his influence 
through that of Dagwumba, which is at his command, would 
extend to the Niger, yet, I think our anxiety to explore so far 
should be suppressed for two or three years, until he is satisfied 
that commerce and not ambition is the impulse. But in the interim, 
it would be desirable gradually to approach Inta and Dagwumba, 
by establishing a settlement up the Volta, which has been shewn 
to run close to Sallagha, the grand emporium of Inta, and is navi- 
gable within four days of it ; and possibly might be made so even 
