Chap. XXIX. LACEEDA’S VISIT TO CAZEMBE. 
587 
houses, had a magnificent view of the two rivers at then’ conflu¬ 
ence ; of them chimch at the angle ; and of all the gardens which 
they had on both sides of the rivers. In these they cultivated 
wheat without irrigation, and, as the Portuguese assert, of a grain 
twice the size of that at Tete. From the guides we learnt that 
the inliabitants had not imbibed much idea of Christianity, for 
they used the same term for the church beU which they did for 
a diviner’s drum. From this point the merchants had water 
communication in three directions beyond—^namely, from the 
Loangwa to the N.N.W., by the Kafue to the W., and by the Zam¬ 
besi to the S.W. Them attention, however, was chiefly attracted 
to the N. or Londa; and the principal articles of trade were ivory 
and slaves. Private enterprise was always restrained, for the 
colonies of the Portuguese bemg strictly military, and the pay of 
the commandants being very small, the officers have always been 
obliged to engage in trade; and had they not employed their 
power to draw the trade to themselves, by preventing private 
traders from making bargains beyond the villages, and only at 
regulated prices, they would have had no trade, as they themselves 
were obliged to remain always at their posts. 
Several expeditions went to the north as far as to Cazembe, and 
Dr. Lacerda, himself Commandant of Tete, went to that chiefs 
residence. Unfortunately he was cut off* while there, and his 
papers, taken possession of by a Jesuit who accompanied him, were 
lost to the world. This Jesuit probably intended to act fairly and 
have them published; but soon after liis return he was called 
away by death himself, and the papers were lost sight of. Dr. 
Lacerda had a strong desire to open up communication with 
Angola, which would have been of importance then, as affordiug 
a speedier mode of communication with Portugal than by the way 
of the Cape; but siuce the opening of the overland passage to 
India, a quicker transit is effected from Eastern Africa to Lisbon 
by way of the Eed Sea. Besides Lacerda, Cazembe was visited 
by Peirara, who gave a glowing account of that chiefs power, 
which none of my inqunies have confirmed. The people of 
Matiamvo stated to me that Cazembe was a vassal of their chief; 
and, from aU the native visitors whom I have seen, he appears to 
be exactly like Shinte and Katema, only a little more powerful. 
The term “ Emperor,” wliich has been applied to him, seems totally 
