PROFIT — COWRIES PREFERRED. 
407 
of limiting the price, all had been bought at the market- 
price, which, perhaps, would not have much exceeded 
for the finest teeth eighteen pence per pound. As it 
was, these were almost invariably taken away when 
the dilals found that they could not get their price. 
Although they were very much disposed to barter, 
cowries were almost preferred as a medium ; that is, 
the goods on either side were first turned into cowries. 
Here, then, we have an immense and highly produc- 
tive country, at no great distance from our shores, and 
which even may be said to diminish daily by the improve- 
ments in steam navigation. The nations inhabiting this 
valuable region are already desirous of being supplied 
with our manufactures, a great assortment of which 
they became acquainted with by the commercial expedi- 
tion of 1832. Experience indeed shewed that a large 
portion was not suited to the market ; since the Negroes, 
having naturally but very few wants, are slow to believe 
that they require articles of which as yet they cannot 
comprehend the utihty ; but these would increase with 
improved intercourse. 
If the only interchangeable commodities were salt 
and palm-oil, a profitable trade might be extended to 
the interior; and yet with such vast resources and 
capabilities on both sides, the exports from the greatest 
commercial country in the world, which is seeking an 
outlet on all sides for its manufactures is less than half 
a million sterling ! 
