May 24, 1858.] 
AFRICA— MOZAMBIQUE . 
321 
capricious good will of the native chiefs, have made vigorous efforts 
to secure to themselves an open navigation of the river, respect to 
their flag, and cession of land for settlements along its course. 
Much information has been gained in consequence of their exer- 
tions ; and interesting communications upon Senegambia appear 
frequently in the 4 Bevue Coloniale,’ a monthly periodical, to which 
I would direct the attention of those who follow with interest the 
progress of civilisation in Western Africa, or who may desire to 
inform themselves upon French colonial interests in general. 
Mozambique. — In turning to the east coast of Africa, let me say that 
Mr. M‘Leod, our newly-appointed consul at the Portuguese settle- 
ment of Mozambique, is proving himself to be of great service both 
to his country and to the cause of science. In a letter, dated De- 
cember 14th, he informs me that he had called the attention of our 
Government to the great advantages of establishing a steam-postal 
communication between Aden and the Cape of Good Hope, showing 
how much time would be saved thereby in comparison with the 
present line. This subject would have been brought under your 
consideration, had I not reason to believe that the expenses already 
incurred in establishing and maintaining the present line of com- 
munication are considered too great, on the part of the Treasury, to 
permit a new large outlay. 
Again, in the suppression of illicit measures for carrying on the 
slave trade, under the name of Free Emigration, but which is fre- 
quently a mere guise for a real trade in slaves, Mr. Lyons M‘Leod, 
who is exerting himself with energy, gives great praise to the 
present Portuguese Governor-General of Mozambique, who, despite 
one-sided judges and the old habits of the colonists, is determined 
to carry out the sentiments conveyed to the British public, at the 
Farewell Dinner to Livingstone, by Count Lavradio, the enlight- 
ened representative of the King of Portugal, in relation to the 
extinction of that detestable traffic. 
Mr. M‘Leod has also communicated to me a rough Portuguese 
chart, or rather two plans, of the river Zambesi, which, if it had 
arrived somewhat sooner, might have been really serviceable to 
Livingstone and his associates. Major Sicard, the Governor of Tete, 
had promised Mr. M‘Leod further information respecting the Zam- 
besi, and also plans of that part of the country where the coal-mines 
are situated, with a description of the launches now used in convey- 
ing the mineral to Tete, the mode of obtaining it, &c. From the 
same source, our active Consul was also gathering information con- 
