PRICE OF SLAVES. 
401 
tribute in inverse ratio to the dignity of their fellow- 
creatures — are the unfortunates doomed to perpetual 
slavery ; and although, happily, with us man is not now 
recognised as a legitimate object for barter, it will perhaps 
be interesting to know what value is set upon him in the 
land of his fathers, where he has ceased, as it were, to be 
a rational being, and has become a thing to be bought. 
A young female slave would fetch from sixty to 
one hundred and twenty thousand cowries. She must, 
however, to command the highest price, be beautiful; 
in which respect, however, European and African taste 
is somewhat different. A fine charger may command 
about the same price.* A strong well-grown young man 
is worth from thirty to fifty thousand cowries. A boy, 
pony, ox for burthen, a donkey, or common working 
slave from ten to thirty thousand. 
Although no gold was brought to us for sale, it is 
perhaps in abundance in the interior, and within the 
regions rendered accessible by the Rivers Kwares and 
Tchadda. According to Idrisi, Wangara was one of the 
most celebi'ated countries for this metal. 
The most valuable article now for legitimate trade is 
ivory. This was bought at the Confluence, one thousand to 
one thousand five hundred cowries per pound. A higher 
price was put upon it at Iddah, being nearer to the sea- 
* These articles, if prime, are generally disposed of by private con- 
tract at the houses of the merchants, and are not e.xposed to the 
indignity of the market. 
VOL. I. 
D D 
