and Mr Maxwell reepeetin^ tlw Cmigo and the N'lger. 207 
dom and safety, by the chart, to Oyster Haven, where the boats 
could be got out, and dispatched upon the survey. And when they 
had completed their researches, and returned down the river, the 
boats could be sold to the shipping lying there, and the men take 
their passage to the West Indies in the first vessels that sailed, 
unless a frigate happened to be upon that station at the time. 
Mr Maxwell entertains little apprehension of the success of such 
an adventure, even with white people, though there can be no 
doubt that a certain proportion of blacks would answer the pur- 
pose much better, if they could be trusted ; and he thinks, that 
a choice set of boat-boys, if that was thought advisable, might 
be hired at Cape Coast and Anna Maboe, through the influence 
of the governor of that settlement. It would also be of the first 
consequence, he thinks, to ascend the river while it has the least 
water and current, and the strongest sea-breezes; he would, 
therefore, instead of the time formerly pointed out as best suit- 
ing himself in the way of trade, advise those going on a voyage 
of discovery, to set off* with their boats about the latter end of 
xiugust, or the beginning of September, during which last 
month, and the greater part of October, they would experience 
less difficulty than at any other season ; for he had no doubt of 
the sea-breezes, during these months, extending 300 or 400 
miles up the country. His boats found them as strong at Noki 
Congo as they were low'er down the river ; and at that dis- 
tance, he concludes, the country begins to be more upon a level, 
as the river must then, considering its rapid descent for 150 
miles, from Boola Beeka to the ocean, and the mountainous na- 
ture of the country through which it issues, be nearly upon 
the same elevation with the source of the Senegal, which per- 
haps has not a run of more than 700 miles, 300 of which are in 
the tide’s way. The Mayumba traders that Mr Maxwell met 
with corroborated this idea ; for they told him, that their coun- 
try was one continued forest, and that the river (Enzaddi) 
there, appeared much larger than at Embomma ; and from the 
number of days they had been upon the road, he calculated 
that they had travelled upwards of 400 miles. He also thought 
that the season he recommended for their departure would be 
peculiarly favourable for passing the cataracts, as it would not 
require the boats to be carried so far, in order to avoid the com® 
p 2 
