Grewhe are particularly adroit at purloining goods from the parcels sent by them, however well secured; and their neighbours of Ardrah, Badagry, and Lagos, are not much their inferiors in lightfingered dexterity. The Fantee canoe-men are thieves to a man.

The natives of Little Popo have always possessed a good trade in ivory, and much might be obtained at a cheap rate, as also palm-oil, both at Ardrah and Lagos; but particularly at the latter place, now that the trade in slaves, north of the equator, is abolished by all nations.

Lagos is particularly well situated, as having a communication by water with Ardrah and Badagry; as also with those populous towns, Cradoo and Quassi (Kosi of Bowditch), on the north-east margin of Cradoo lake; which lake contracts at its eastern extremity, like that of Ardrah, and communicates with Gatto creek.

Vessels bound here, ought to obtain on the Gold Coast what fire-wood may be required for the consumption of the voyage, as it is of a superior quality, more easily procured, and cheaper than at any of these places.

The duties paid by vessels trading for ivory are moderate. Slave-ships paid heavy sums, particularly at Wydah and Lagos. At these places, as on the Gold Coast, accounts are kept in ounces and ackies, sixteen ackies making one ounce.

Business is transacted in factories, situated in the

principal towns.

MERCHANDISE SUITABLE TO BARTER FOR IVORY

AND PALM-OIL, AT BENIN AND WARRE.

Common Hats, Earthenware, Looking-glasses, and Hard

ware, assorted.

Sixty or seventy tons of Salt in each cargo.

R

At Benin and Warré much palm-oil and ivory may be obtained, and there can be no doubt at a much cheaper rate than either at Bonny, Calabar, or Camaroons, because the competition between traders at the latter places, during several seasons, has been so considerable as to raise the prices of palm-oil from 10l. to 147. sterling per ton; and some of the traders have been so foolish as to pay more for the ivory which they purchased at the Camaroons, than it would actually sell for in England.

A vessel of 250 tons' burthen is probably the best size for this trade, carrying out upon her deck two boats as large as she can conveniently stow, with decks, masts, sails, &c. fitted, and ready to be put in their births, as soon as the boats are hoisted out. A factory established at Lagos, with the ship lying off Benin bar, would perhaps be the best arrangement for giving facility to the voyage, as the factory at Lagos would sweep the markets (supposing the country to be tranquil, and competition not to exist) of Ardrah, Badagry, and the towns on the margin of Cradoo lake. The small boat should keep up the communication between the ship and the factory, at which latter place the canoe should be stationed, and by its medium the goods might be landed on the beach a little to leeward of the river, the portage from thence to the town being moderate. By adopting this mode of getting goods to the factory, contrary to the usual practice of

English vessels, the health of the boat's crew will be preserved, and the unavoidable risk of the boat being upset upon the bar prevented; both of which are of the utmost importance in a voyage of this description.

In the larger boat, the trade may be carried on off New Town, in Benin river. A few Fantee sailors, hired on the Gold Coast, and who can return home in the canoe when the ship's loading is completed, will be found of infinite service in navigating the large boat, and be the means of saving the lives of many of the ship's crew.

The customs levied on vessels for Benin and Warré, are moderate. The medium of exchange is salt; but accounts are kept in pawns, the value of one of which is equal to a bar in Bonny, averaging from two to three shillings sterling each.

In trading for oil and ivory, it will be unnecessary to establish a factory at Gatto, as was the practice of slave ships, unless a competitor has fixed one in that town.

MERCHANDISE SUITABLE TO BARTER FOR PALMOIL AND IVORY, AT BONNY.