Jan. 11, 1858.] REPORTS FROM THE NIGER EXPEDITION. 
85 
districts, and is the proper spot for a trading nucleus ; on these 
grounds I recommended it, and it will doubtless be retained as a 
missionary establishment, though whether as a trading post I 
cannot say. The principal productions of Igbo are palm-oil and 
red wood. Cotton is grown for their own use, and might, if due 
encouragement were offered, be largely produced. 
We next entered upon the Igara country, and on the 4th of August 
reached a large creek that had not been previously examined, and 
which we descended in our boat as far as time would allow. On 
the 5th we reached the capital, Idda, where we found that the atta, 
or king, who reigned when I was in the Niger in 1854, was lately 
dead ; but we saw his successor, a man of more pleasing manners 
and appearance than his predecessor, who readily renewed all former 
engagements with us, and who with all around him behaved in a 
very friendly way towards us. At Idda I met a former acquaintance, 
Ama-aboko, chief at the confluence, who, being in a manner a 
dependant of Igara, was then attending the election of the new king. 
As formerly, he was extremely friendly, sent to his eldest son, who 
was acting in his absence, desiring him to assist us far as he could, 
and he sent with me one of his own attendants, to tell us the names 
of towns we might pass, and to introduce us at various places where 
we might visit. Igara yields a little palm-oil, some ivory, and 
cotton of good quality ; but during the unpopular sway of the late 
atta, Igara lost many of her best people, who removed to other 
districts. . 
On the 10th of August we anchored at the confluence of the Chadda 
and the Niger, and on my landing at Ghebe, or Igbegbe, I was at once 
recognised and met with a very warm reception. The authorities 
at once gave us, on my asking them, ground both for a factory and 
for a missionary establishment, allowing us to select our own sites. 
Here most of us possess the confidence of the people so entirely, 
that I believe Mr. Crowther or myself could induce them to do 
anything we chose, within the bounds of reason. The inhabitants 
are much more civilized than any met with near the sea ; they are 
quite devoted to trade, and under due guidance might soon be 
greatly improved. 
I remained in this neighbourhood until the 27th of August, partly 
to advance, as far as I could, the settlement of traders ashore and to 
see the missionary establishment fairly started, and partly also to 
complete the triangulation of the hilly district which is characteristic 
of this region, and which, under the able conduct of Lieut. Glover, 
rapidly advanced towards completion. At the confluence we left 
the schooner George, which had been with some difficulty towed up 
