PALM-OIL TBADE. 
269 
On the suppression of the Slave Trade, the Oamaroons 
towns rose rapidly into importance by the export of 
palm-od; and for some years there was a flourishing 
trade, which might be increased to any amount, if the 
energies of the people were equal to the resources of 
the country, and the favourable position of the place. 
It had, however, recently been on the decline, owing to 
the listlessness and rapacity of the people and chiefs, 
who are as insolent as they are exacting. This is pro- 
bably the result of, to them, a useless prosperity, since 
they appear to be gorged with wealth, of which they 
neither feel the want nor comprehend the use. The 
naturally dilatory transactions of the native traders, 
are prolonged with a fraudulent intention. Thus the 
practice appears to be, on the arrival of a ship, to trust 
the goods in advance to pm’chase a cargo, originally 
with the view of forestalling other ships; but as 
this becomes general there is occasionally a regular 
scramble for the palm-oil as it is brought down the 
river in canoes. The delay is most injurious, and 
sometimes the captain falls a sacrifice to the climate or 
to disappointment, when his death is considered by the 
natives to absolve them from all obligations. The 
mate not being able to procure his cargo, takes away 
an empty ship. This gives rise to arbitrary and sum- 
mary proceedings on the part of the whites, and con- 
tinual disputes ; — “ bad bobs,” Some of these Captain 
Allen had to settle ; but in one case his decision was 
reversed by a fight on shore, in which there was gain 
to both parties of numerous broken heads. 
