BOOK I. (continued 2)

The People of Jaqueen, as I mentioned before, were in very uneasy Circumstances. The King of Dahomè being informed of it, resolved to send the great Captain to their Lord, to settle all things to their Satisfaction. The Captain my Friend being got to the Camp before the Great Captain set out, and acquainting the King with my Complaints, it much incensed him against the Traders, and he caused the great Captain to go forthwith to Jaqueen, to settle all matters. He made such haste, that he brought the first news of his coming himself; and because he had a great Retinue, on the first report of his arrival, the Inhabitants of Jaqueen were going to fly to Appah; believing he was come in a hostile manner: But he soon made them easy, ordering the far greater part of his People to remain on the other side of the River, which runs on the back part of the Town; and he came only with one hundred Attendants into the place. Upon the first notice of his coming, the Duke, Brother to the Lord of Jaqueen, went to receive him; and all the white Gentlemen in the Town, both Merchants and Commanders of Ships, assembled at the Door of the Dutch Factory, to salute him as he pass’d by that House. He was conducted to the Duke’s Court, with all the Honours the place could possibly afford. His Retinue was lodged near my Factory, which proved a great disturbance to me; for they made a dismal noise with their musical Instruments, both night and day; but on my complaining of it, they were afterwards removed.

It seems the Great Captain, at his first coming into the Town, had given orders to some of his Officers, to seize all the Dahomè Traders. But by means of some Friend they had in their Retinue, notice was given them; whereupon several of them fled. However, about ten were seized, and immediately sent in Irons to the King: And the Duke, brother to the Lord of Jaqueen, told me afterwards, “That when the Great Captain began to talk of Business with him, the first Question he asked, was, Whether the Traders had used me ill? To which he replied in the affirmative; Adding, He was in my Factory, when one of them presented his Piece at me, because I refused to buy the bad Slaves brought by him.” The great Captain upon that asked him, “Why he suffered me to be so used?” To which the Duke answered, “That not only he himself, but his Brother, had been treated by them with great Insolence; and that they were afraid to resent it, for fear they should represent their Actions in a bad Light to the King.” On this account the Great Captain said, they had talked enough upon that Point.

We understood afterwards, that this great Man, at his return to the King, acquainting him with the Misbehaviour of the Traders, his Majesty ordered the Person who presented his Piece at me, to be beheaded, with another, who had highly insulted me at the same time: And the others were kept in bonds, fed only with Bread and Water; and whenever it rained, they were put out into the Prison Court, and exposed till it had done raining. By this I found, that the Traders and the Linguist had shamefully belied the King; however, in Prudence I did not think fit to complain of the Interpreter, but only chid him in private; at which he was so frighted, that he left me, when the great Captain returned to their King.

The next day after this Great Man’s arrival, all the white Gentlemen in the place went to wait on him at the Duke’s House, carrying him Presents; and I went amongst the rest. Upon my taking leave, I invited him to dine with me at my Factory the next day. He came accordingly with many Attendants, one of whom he admitted with the Duke, to sit at Table with us. He seemed to be much pleased with the Victuals, especially with a Ham; and was much surprized when I told him, it was part of a Hog that had been killed six Months ago. I was so much diverted to see him handle a Fork, which it seems he had never used before, that I could hardly keep my Countenance, so aukwardly did he manage it. Amongst other dishes there was brought to the Table a Pye of minced meat. Of this he eat greedily, asking me, “How it was prepared?” I told him the manner; adding it was done by my Wife, and being put up in earthen Pans, it would keep in so hot a Country as this was, for six Months at least. He then asked me, “How many Wives I had?” I told him we were allowed by our Laws but one; on which he fell a laughing, saying, “He had five hundred, and wished fifty of them could prepare such meat for him as mine had done.” After this the Servants brought Bananas, with other Fruit of the Country, on Delft Plates. These Plates he was much taken with, and desired I would give him that he eat on, with the Knife, Fork, and Napkin he used. I told him he was welcome to all on the Table: Of which the Linguist had no sooner informed him, but he spoke to his Servants, and they immediately swept all away, so suddenly, that they had like to have broke all the Plates, but they luckily escaped. I put on a good Face on the matter, tho’ I was something surprized to be so soon taken at my word, with the manner of it; so I said to him, “I would present him further with some Mugs and Cups, which I called for.”

I had almost forgot to relate another Circumstance, full as odd as this. When we first sat down to dinner, some of his principal Servants who stood behind his Chair, would every now and then snatch off his Plate, a Slice of Ham or Fowl; and observing he did not rebuke them for it, I bid the Linguist tell him, “His Servants should not want for Victuals after we had dined; for it was not the white Peoples custom, to let their Guests Attendants go home hungry;” so he ordered them to be quiet for the future.

After dinner we drank both our Kings healths, and he grew very merry, preferring Punch to other Liquors. When he took his leave of me in the Evening, he express’d great Satisfaction at his Entertainment: Moreover he told me, “He design’d to go and see the Sea the next day, (which was about three Miles off) and as he had never yet seen it, nor a Ship, he should be glad of my Company.” But I was obliged to excuse my self, on account of my late Illness, from which I was not perfectly recovered. So I told him, “I would order my Officer in the Tent, to entertain him in the best manner he could; and if he would be pleased to go on board my Ship to see her, all possible Care should be taken of him.”

I must now leave this great Man for a while, and give an Account of a remarkable thing that happened whilst he was at the Sea side. For the right understanding of it, the Reader is to know, That a few days before the great Captain came to Jaqueen, the Linguist brought me two Female Negroes, saying, “The King desired, I would buy them, and promise I would not let them be redeemed by any one that should offer to do it:” After I had viewed these Women, one of which was turned of fifty, and the other about twenty Years old, I told the Linguist, “The first was past her Labour, and not for my purpose; but I would buy the other.” He replied, “He could not part them; adding, It would highly oblige the King if I took them both:” But suspecting he made use of the King’s Name, to get rid of an old Woman, I refused it, and he carried them away. I little suspected then what would happen to this poor Creature, which I shall presently relate.

The great Captain, as he had told me, went the next day to the Sea side, accompanied by abundance of People who came from the inland Country, which indeed they daily did in great Numbers, to see so rare a sight, now the ways were open to them. There lay then at Anchor, in the Road of Jaqueen, the Katherine Galley which I commanded, being a fine Ship of near three hundred Tuns burthen; and two Portuguese Vessels. This sight exceedingly surprized him, as well as did the Sea, which came rolling and roaring with its Billows on the Shore; so that he stood for some time fixed as if he had been a Statue, till he heard the Guns fired from the Katherine, wherewith I had ordered him to be saluted, on a signal made from our Tent. Being by the Noise of the Guns roused out of his Astonishment, my Officer then invited him to go to the Tent to dinner, which he readily accepted. Whilst he was at dinner, he could not sit still three minutes together, his Curiosity still prompting him to go and look on the Sea and Ships.

As the Water near the Shore is very shallow, our Boats cannot approach nearer than within two Cables length, so that we are obliged to make use of Cannoes, which draw much less Water than our Boats, to land our Goods: And also the fresh Water for the Ship’s use, is rafted in Casks by Ropes from the Boats. The great Man was so pleased with the sight, that he went too near the Sea to see it; in which instant a Wave coming with great force, reached him so, that with the surprize he fell on his back; by which Accident some salt Water got into his Stomach. His Servants seeing him fall, immediately run to his Assistance; and taking him up, carried him to our Tent, where he drank half a pint of Brandy, to qualify the salt Water he had swallowed down. Tho’ he had met with this mischance, he stay’d at the Tent till the Evening, and then left the place with reluctance, to come to Town; so much delighted was he with this sight. It was about nine a clock at night when he returned to Jaqueen, being usher’d in with the hideous noise of their musical Instruments, and the Acclamations of the People.

Soon after, one of his principal Servants, together with the Linguist, came to me, saying, “The Great Man had sent them to return me thanks for the kind Entertainment he had received at my Tent; that he designed to set out next day for the King’s Camp, and should be glad to see me before he went.”

The Servant being gone, the Linguist told me in private, “That the oldest Woman whom I had refused to buy, had that day been sacrificed to the Sea, by order of the great Captain. For she had highly offended the King, and as I would not take her, his Majesty had ordered her to be destroyed this way, in the room of another Victim that was designed for the same Purpose.” I asked him, What Crimes she had committed? He replied hastily, “Did I think he knew the King’s Secrets? adding, She had lived a long time in the Court, with good Repute till now.” I then wish’d in my mind I had bought her; but only said to the Linguist, “I wondered he should have a hand in such Cruelty, having been bred up amongst white People.” To which he answered, “Great Mens Commands were not to be disputed, especially there being no one but himself of the Dahomes, that durst go off in a Cannoe with her.” Whereupon he told me the following Story; “The Woman’s Hands being tied behind her, and her Feet across, she was put into the Cannoe, and carried off about half a Mile from the Shore: And then he ordered the Rowers to throw her over board; which they had no sooner done, but he saw some Sharks (voracious Fishes very common in those Seas) tear her to pieces in an instant.” On hearing this Account I pitied the Fate of this poor Creature, for I intirely credited the Story, knowing full well the Barbarity of those People. But the next day I was greatly surprized, with a Letter from my chief Mate, informing me, that the Woman was on board our Ship: Which happened in this manner. It seems, neither my People at the Tent, nor those in our Boats, which lay at the Moorings near the Shore, knew any thing of the real occasion of the Cannoe’s going off. For the Woman was put very privately into the Cannoe. They only thought the Linguist was gone, with a design to see some of the Ships. When he came on shore again, one of our Boats went just then from the Moorings, in order to go on board our Ship. Being got about half way, the Officer in the Boat spied something floating on the Sea, which at his coming nearer, he perceived to be a human Body lying on its back; and now and then spurting Water out at the Mouth. This showing it was still living, he ordered it to be taken into the Boat, being bound in the same manner as the Linguist had told me. Immediately they untied this poor Woman, chafed her Limbs, and rolled her Body about, whereupon she discharged a good quantity of salt Water out of her Mouth. Then they carried her on board the Ship, not knowing in the least the occasion of her being in the Sea, and extremely wondering she had escaped the Sharks, who are usually so voracious, that when a dead Person is thrown overboard, or a living one falls into the Sea by Accident, they are in an instant torn to pieces by those voracious Animals. So that this poor Creature seemed to have a miraculous Escape; and the knowledge of the greediness of these Sharks, I suppose, induced the Linguist to tell me, that he actually saw her torn to pieces; verily believing it would so happen, which his Fears would not let him stay to see, on account of the great swell the Billows of the Sea had at that time.

Upon my receiving the above-mentioned account from the Mate, tho’ pleas’d with the safety of the poor Woman, yet it filled me with Apprehensions, if the King of Dahomè should come to know it: For he might pretend, his Fetiche, or God, being disappointed of this Sacrifice by us, would revenge it on me, or at least oblige me to make up the Affair with large Presents. So having considered of the matter, I writ to the chief Mate, to charge our People to keep the thing secret; it being of the utmost Consequence to us all to do it: Which they accordingly did. Some time after, going on board the Ship, I examined this Woman by the Linguist, but she would never confess the reason of the King’s displeasure against her; alledging she knew not that she had in any respect offended him. However, I found by the Linguist, that he suspected, it was on account of her assisting some of the King’s Women in their Amours.

This Woman being a sensible Person, did us good service in the Voyage. For she was known to several of the Negroes on board, and by her talking to and advising them, made them easy in their Minds: She observed to them, amongst other things, “That as we had shown such Kindness to her, first in saving her Life, and since in taking care of her, who might be reckoned an useless Person to us, on account of her Age; so they had all the reason in the World to believe we were much better people than their own Countrymen; and that the strange Stories they had been formerly told of white People, must be false.” The female Negroes, who used always to be the most troublesome to us, on account of the noise and clamour they made, were kept in such Order and Decorum by this Woman, that I had never the like in any Voyage before: And when I came to Antegoa, Charles Dunbar Esq; Surveyor General of Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands, on my Recommendation, bought her, and I was not a little pleased she had got so generous and good a Master.

But to return again to the great Captain: When he was ready to depart from Jaqueen, all the Europeans in the Place waited on him to the side of the River, that runs on the back part of the Town. Upon taking leave I told him, “I wanted but eighty Negroes to compleat my Cargo,” and he promised he would acquaint the King with it; and I might be sure his Majesty would send them down to me forthwith. However, this did not happen according to my Expectation; for I understood afterwards the King had no Slaves by him for sale, tho’ he had great numbers of captive Negroes, which tilled his Grounds, and did other Work. For, it seems, after they are once inrolled for that Service, his Majesty never sells them, unless they are guilty of very great Crimes.

After the great Captain’s departure, I was obliged to wait a long while for a dispatch; at last the desired Time came, and the King’s Factors that brought the Negroes behaved themselves so well towards me, that I had no reason to complain of them. The principal amongst them told me, “The King was much surprized, that I had not been dispatch’d before; and that his Majesty had punished those severely, who had been the occasion of my long stay at Jaqueen: That if my Affairs would admit of my going to the Camp, the King was desirous to see me again there, to discourse, and settle Matters, for the mutual Interest of himself, and the Europeans trading to his Country; for when I was with him before, the great Hurry of Affairs his Majesty had then on his Hands, did not allow him sufficient time to talk of Business.” I desired the Gentleman to return the King my due Acknowledgments for all his Favours; “and that I should have been very glad and ready to have waited again on his Majesty at the Camp: But the bad state of health I was then in, did not allow it; of which himself being an Eye-Witness, I desired he would be pleased to inform the King of it: Adding, I should not fail, on my arrival into England, to tell my Countrymen who trade to this place, how great and generous a Prince I had been entertained by; hoping (if God bless’d me) to return again in a twelvemonth at farthest.” So having made the Traders some small Presents, they took their Leaves, returning many thanks for what I had given them.

As soon as I had finished my Affairs with these People, I waited on the Lord of Jaqueen, and told him, “That having compleated my Ship’s Cargoe of Negroes, I design’d to go on board in two days time, desiring he would be pleased to pay me the ballance of an account that was between us.” This he readily promised, but never performed it. Moreover, the next day, having paid his Brother the rest of the Customs, and my Servants their Wages, my Store-house was soon after plundered in a violent manner: But, by good fortune, there were in it, only things of small value. I complained of this Usage, but had no Redress. However, I did not think proper to threaten, as I had formerly done, “That I would inform the King of Dahomè of it;” but quietly putting up the Affront, I went to the Sea side the next day, where I was obliged to lie all night in our Tent, because the Sea ran high on the Shore; but the next morning it being calmer, I got on board to my great Satisfaction, having, through the goodness of Providence, compleated my Affairs, much beyond my Expedition, considering I had so melancholy a Prospect, when I first came to this Country.

The first of July 1727, we sailed from the Road of Jaqueen, having on board above 600 Negroes. I had a tedious Passage to the West-Indies of seventeen Weeks, which obliged us to stop at several places for Water and Provision. But at length we arrived at Antegoa, where the Cargo of Negroes (who had stood very well) came to a good Market: And having lain there for a Cargo of Sugars, we sailed from thence the latter end of February, and got safe into the River of Thames, the 25th of April 1728, having been sixteen Months on this remarkable Voyage.

A SUPPLEMENT,

Containing an Account of what happened to the King and People of Whidaw, and the Dahomes, since I came away from thence, to the Time of my return thither in the Month of February 1729-30. All which I was informed of, by some white Gentlemen of good Credit, who resided at Jaqueen all the Time I was absent.

UPON my coming to England, being in a bad State of Health, I desired leave of my Owner to stay at home a Season, which he was pleased to grant me; and appointed Captain John Dagge to command the Ship I had been in. He made a successful Voyage, and returned with her in the Month of August 1729: As I was by that time very well recovered, my Owner was pleased to send me again to the Coast of Guinea in the Katherine Galley. Having therefore spent some time on the Windward and Gold Coast, I proceeded for Whidaw. In my way to that place I stop’d at Great Popoe, which lies a few Leagues to the Windward of Whidaw. Being informed there, that the late King of Whidaw was near that place, with Captain Ossue, one of his principal Cabociers or Lords, on two barren sandy Islands, with many other People, I sent my first Mate on Shore with a Present to each of them. He returned at night, with some of the King’s People, who brought me a Goat from him: Saying, “Their Master being in a poor Condition, had nothing better to send me.” And they having bought some few things, I sent them on Shore again. After they were gone, my Mate gave me the following account, “That the King and Captain Ossue, had with them many Thousands of People who lived in a miserable manner, the Islands they were on being so barren, that they produced nothing: But by means of the River which separated them from the Continent, they were very well secured from the Dahomes Power; who not understanding the Management of Cannoes, could not invade them. Moreover, they had planted several great Guns, which secured the Passes, so that they were in no fear of the Enemies. But then, on the other hand, they could not sow Corn, or other Pulse in that barren place, but were supplied with what they wanted by their Neighbours of Great and Little Popoe. However, this constantly decreased their Numbers, they being obliged to sell their Wives, Children, and Servants for Provisions and other necessaries, because they had no Money left.”

From Great Popoe I went to the Road of Whidaw, where being informed there was little Trade, I proceeded for Jaqueen, which is seven Leagues to the Eastward of it; and anchored in that road the 20th of February 1729-30: At my going on Shore there, the King of Dahomè’s Agent came to see me; and upon my enquiring after his Master’s welfare, he told me, “He would send a Messenger to inform his Majesty of my Arrival: But as the King was then in his own Country, far inland, it would be at least twenty days before he could have an Answer.” At his taking leave, he promised to let me know his Master’s Pleasure on the return of the Messenger. Accordingly he came to see me again, about three weeks after his former visit, and told me, “The King was very glad to hear of my being once more arrived at Jaqueen; but as he was then far within Land, tho’ he was desirous of seeing me again, yet he could not in reason require it: His Master being sensible, such a long Journey would be neither safe for my Health, nor suitable to my Business; but in case the King came to Ardra, whilst I was at Jaqueen, which is but two days journey off, and where I had formerly been with his Majesty, he should be very glad to see me there once more.” However, this not happening, I had not the Fortune to see the King a second time.

I now come to relate what I heard from several white Gentlemen residing at Jaqueen, ever since my former Voyage, concerning the Whidaws and the Dahomes. The King of Whidaw, with abundance of his People, having fled to the Islands formerly mentioned, the King of Dahomè was disappointed in his design of destroying him, as he had always intended. So that he contented himself with keeping Possession of the Country of Whidaw, by an Army encamp’d at Sabee, which had been the principal place of the Kingdom, till destroyed by him. But in time this Army being much diminished, it incouraged Captain Ossue to leave the Islands, and settle himself, with many of his People, near the French Fort, which is about four Miles from Sabee; believing the great Guns therein would be a sufficient Protection from the Dahomes, in case they should offer to disturb him. This Fort had a dry Ditch, with mud Walls made of the Earth that was dug out of it; and was a square place with Towers at each Corner, on which were mounted several Cannons; and their Lodgings, Storehouses, and even their Magazine of Gunpowder, were covered with Rushes, according to the Custom of that Country; which occasioned a terrible Misfortune, as shall be immediately related.

The King of Dahomè being informed of Captain Ossue’s return into his Country, resolved to send an Army to drive him out; which the other having notice of, retired with many of his People into the French Fort: Ossue little thinking at that time, that the Governor was the occasion of his Enemies coming in order to betray them.

The next day after he and his People were received into the Fort, the Dahomè Army came down, and being informed the French had given them Protection, contrary to a secret Promise their King had received from the Governor, they assaulted the Fort. But having nothing but small Arms to make their Attack, it would have availed little, had not the Thatch of the Houses within the Fort taken Fire. This Accident alarmed the white Men, who knowing there was a great quantity of Gunpowder in their Magazine, and no possibility of stopping the Fire, fled to the English Fort, which was within Musquet-Shot of their own, and so saved themselves: But the black People not being so sensible of their Danger, suffered very much by the blowing up of the Magazine, there being above one thousand of them killed, besides many wounded by this Accident. However, in the Confusion, and under cover of the Smoke, Captain Ossue, and several of his People, escaped to the English Fort: Where Governor Wilson, who then resided there for the African Company, generously gave them Protection; and to prevent Accidents, ordered immediately all the Houses in the Fort to be unthatch’d, and by firing on the Dahomes with his Cannon, killed several, and kept the rest at a distance.

The Dahomes having taken the French Fort, sheltered themselves therein; and the next morning sent a principal Man amongst them to Governor Wilson, to know the reason why he had fired on their Army. To which he answered, “That they having come down out of the Country in a hostile manner, without giving him the least notice, and attacked his Neighbours the French, he looked on it as the common Cause of all the Europeans settled there, who were bound to assist one another.” To this the Dahomes replied, “That when they came down, they had no design to attack the French Fort, for the King had no quarrel with the white Men: But the Governor having taken Captain Ossue and his People into the French Fort, contrary to his Promise, it obliged them to act as they had done.” At the same time they told the Governor to his Face, “That he had first sent to their King by a French Surgeon, then residing with their Master, to persuade his Majesty to send an Army down, to destroy Captain Ossue and his People; promising at the same time he would give them no Protection.” This the French Governor denied, but all that were present believed it to be too true; and by this means he let the Dahomes see, that white Men (whom they had before a high opinion of) could be the basest of Villains, when their Interest tempted them thereto. For it was much suspected, that the Governour had contrived the whole Affair, in order to squeeze a large Sum of Money from Captain Ossue to protect him, and for some other infamous Views. However, he met afterwards with a suitable Reward, being killed by the Whidaws, whom he had so much injured.

As soon as the King of Dahomè was informed of the taking of the French Fort, he sent this Message to the French Governor; “that he had brought this Misfortune on himself by his Perfidy, for he had no quarrel to his Nation; therefore he would order his Soldiers to repair the Fort, which had been greatly damaged by the Powder: Or if he did not desire this, he might depart with all the Frenchmen to his own Country.” After this, the Ships that lay then in the Road of Whidaw had good Trade for Women and Children, which the Dahomes had taken of Captain Ossue’s People, but there were few Men taken; many of them being lost when the Magazine blew up: and the rest having fled to the Island which their King was in.

I come now to relate a great Misfortune which befel the Dahomes, some Months after they had taken the French Fort. For the better understanding of it, the Reader is to know, that the King of Dahomè having conquered several Countries within a few Years, and depopulated them; the King of Weemey’s Sons, with other Princes, (whose Fathers this Conqueror had taken in War, and beheaded) fled to a far Inland Potent Nation called the J-oes. The King of Whidaw having, after Ossue’s Defeat, found means to send Messengers to the King of this Country, they, and the others that had fled to him for Protection, did at last, through their earnest Sollicitations, obtain an Army to march against the King of Dahomè, whom they all look’d upon as a most cruel Destroyer of Mankind. This Nation of J-oe fight all on Horseback, and living a great way on the North towards Nubia, they can at no other time march to the Southward, but when the Season for Forage, and the dry Weather sets in. The King of Dahomè had notice of their coming, a few days before they reached his Country; and he having formerly experienced how terrible such Numbers of Horse had been to his Army, which consists of none but foot Soldiers; he resolved to bury his Riches, burn his Towns, and then fly into the Woods and Thickets with his People; which is a common thing amongst the Negroes, for the weaker side to do, when at War; for they have no fortified Towns as in Europe: So they that are Masters of the Field command the Country far and near.

The King of Dahomè having thus in time provided for his Safety by Flight, the J-oes were disappointed: But one Appragah and his People, formerly subject to the King of Whidaw, but now under the Dominion of the Dahomes, did not escape so well. For not moving so soon by two days as they did, the J-oes came up with him and his People, and took abundance of them, with all Appragah’s Riches; and he himself was hardly put to it to escape, with a few of his Servants.

After this the J-oes marched on in quest of the Dahomes, but finding they were got into the thick Woods and Bushes, they incamped near them; making frequent Assaults, and often taking some of the Dahomes Prisoners. At last, they so distressed them, that for want of other Provision, they were obliged to eat many of their own Slaves. Yet the Dahomes patiently endured these Calamities, knowing the J-oes would be obliged to retire in a little time, on account of the rainy Season that was approaching, and for want of Forage: Accordingly they were obliged to retire soon after; and the Dahomes then returned to their own Country, and rebuilt their Towns again.

During these Misfortunes of the Dahomes, which lasted several Months, various Reports came to Whidaw. Sometimes it was said, “That the King of Dahomè was killed:” But that was again contradicted: And it was reported, “he had lost so many of his People, that he never could be again in a Condition to disturb his Neighbours;” and this was so currently believed that no one doubted of it.

About this time, which was in the beginning of July 1729, Governor Wilson departed from Whidaw, in order to return to England. He left in his room one Mr. Testefole, who had resided there many Years, but was no ways equal to him in Prudence and Conduct, as his unhappy Fate will afterwards show. For tho’ this Person had been often at the King of Dahomè’s Camp, where he was always used with great Civility, yet now believing that King was so far reduced, that the People of Whidaw had nothing more to fear from him; he too hastily advised their King, to leave the barren Islands wherein he had fled with his People, and come and take again Possession of his Country.

Hereupon the King of Whidaw resolved to return; and, to provide against the worst, he desired his Neighbours of Popoe to lend him some of their Forces; which they readily did. For these People, with all the Coast-Negroes, mortally hate the Dahomes, on account of their Cruelty, and their Barbarity in eating human Flesh. And, besides that the Popoes are little afraid of the Dahomes Power, because they live in Islands, they now assisted the Whidaws out of Policy; thinking, if they were reinstated in their Country, Trade would soon revive, which had been so long interrupted on account of the War. So they sent them some thousands of their People; and at their Arrival the King of Whidaw joined them with his Forces. Tho’ he was a very fat unwieldy Man, yet he marched at the head of his Army, which consisted of about fifteen thousand Men, including the Popoes, and incamped in his own Country for some time, near the English and French Forts. This the Dahomes knew nothing of; for they had so mean an opinion of the Whidaws, that they never thought they would attempt to settle again in their own Country: Neither had they, since the departure of the J-oes, sent any of their People to the Sea side, having been employed in repairing their Towns, and about other Affairs. These being near finished, the King of Dahomè sent some of his Traders down with Slaves, to the English and French Forts: But his People were much surprised to see such an Army of Whidaws incamped near them. So they returned in great haste to inform their King, who upon the receipt of this News, was greatly embarassed; for he had lost many of his best Soldiers whilst the J-oes remained in his Country, and kept him so long in the Bushes. Moreover, his Majesty had lately sent an Army into the inland Country, to take Slaves: For as I have formerly observed, he drives no regular Trade in Slaves, but only sells such as he takes in his Wars.

Being in this State of Perplexity (when he had not a sufficient Number of Soldiers to encounter the Whidaws and Popoes together, and, on the other hand, could not bear to see himself braved by such a cowardly Race as the Whidaws,) his Policy extricated him out of this Difficulty. He ordered a great number of Women to be armed like Soldiers, and appointed Officers to each Company, with Colours, Drums and Umbrellas, according to the Negroe Fashion. Then ordering the Army to march, the Women Soldiers were placed in the Rear, to prevent Discovery. When they came in sight of the Whidaw Army, the latter were much surprized to see such Numbers of Dahomè Soldiers, as they supposed them all to be, marching against them: For they had much depended on the former Reports, that they were so far reduced, as not to be able (at least so soon) to have made Head against them. At this unexpected sight the Whidaws were divided: Some were for retiring back to the Islands; but others who were commanded by Captain Ossue, with the Popoes, were for fighting. During this Dispute, the Dahomè Army marched on boldly, and Captain Ossue, with the Popoe General, as bravely advanced to meet them; and attacked their right Wing so briskly, that they drove them for some time before them. But the Whidaws who were with the King, at that instant cowardly fled; tho’ his Majesty used his utmost endeavours and Intreaties to stop them, and at last wounded several with his Lance, to oblige them to second Captain Ossue’s People: But all in vain. This being observed by the left Wing of the Dahomes, they fell on the Rear of Ossue’s Soldiers, and soon obliged them and the Popoes, to fly in their turn; which the King of Whidaw perceiving, and being so very unwieldy and fat, he had no other way to save his Life, but to fly into the dry Ditch of the English Fort; where, by the help of two of his Sons, his Majesty got over the Wall, and so escaped the fury of his Enemies: But many of his People were killed, and others taken.

Mr. Testefole, the Governor, was at a great loss how to act on this occasion. For he foresaw the Dahomes would demand the King, and insist on his being delivered to them, as soon as they should know he was in the Fort. Which if he refused to do, he was sensible, they could oblige him in time to do it, by starving him. Moreover, he could not but sustain a great loss by the Interruption of Trade. So the Governor persuaded the King to leave the Fort that Night, and he happily escaped to his barren Islands again. However, the King of Dahomè was afterwards fully informed of all this, and likewise that the Governor had been the principal occasion of the Whidaws endeavouring to regain their Country: Which he highly resented.

The Dahomes, after this, retired from about the Forts, and, leaving a small Army at Sabee, returned to their own Country; where many Banditti of other Nations resorting to them, their King, in a few Months, found his Strength and Power as much increased, as when he fled from the J-oes. But the Countries being laid waste far and near by his former Wars, tho’ he has large Territories of many hundred Miles, and as fine a Country under his Dominion, as any in the Southern Parts of Africa; yet he is only a great King in name for want of Subjects, by reason of his having destroyed in so cruel a manner the Inhabitants of all the Places he has conquered. This has obliged many hundred thousands to fly from his Arms, into foreign Countries; that are by Situation secured from his rambling Bands, either by great Rivers, Mountains or Lakes.

He has acted since as impolitick a part in another matter. For he gave his word to a great number of the former Inhabitants, If they would return again into their own Country, they should quietly enjoy it, upon paying a certain Tribute. On this many thousands returned into the Kingdom of Ardra, where they built Houses, sowed Corn, and planted Potatoes; but no sooner were these poor People settled, than the Dahomes surprized them, and killed or took captive all that could not escape from them. The King having thus broken his promise, I believe no others will ever venture to trust him: And the Country, in all Probability, will remain uninhabited, during his Life: Moreover, by this means the Trade at Whidaw is almost ruined; for the far inland People having now no Markets to carry their Slaves to, as formerly, and the Dahomes using no Trade but that of War, few Negroes are now brought down to be sold to the Europeans.

Whether it was the badness of Trade, occasioned by the Dahomes acting in this manner, or any thing else, that enraged Mr. Testefole against them; he was so imprudent, that on all Opportunities he used their People ill, when they came to the English Fort: And at last whipped one of their principal Men at the Flag-Staff; and upon his complaining of this great Indignity, Testefole rashly replied, He would serve his King in the same manner if he was in his Power. All this being afterwards reported to his Majesty, it highly offended him: And he said, “Surely this Man must be full of Malice against us, else he could never have so suddenly forgot our former Kindnesses to him.”

The King upon this ordered his People to watch for an Opportunity to surprize the Governor, and make him Prisoner; and his Imprudence soon made him fall into their Hands in the following manner. There was a French Captain who had a Factory, at some distance from the English Fort: This Gentleman had been drinking with the Governor all night, and when the day came, he persuaded Mr. Testefole to go and drink Coffee with him at his Factory. The Dahomes, who were on the Watch, seeing him go to the Frenchman’s House, went and surrounded it, demanding to have the Governor delivered to them. This the Captain at first refused, but they threatning to burn his Factory; he told them, He would forthwith bring him out. So he went into the House, and advised Mr. Testefole to make his Escape; which he refusing to do, the Captain put him by force into a large Chest, and lock’d him in: Then he went out, and told the Dahomes, “He could not find the Governor, and that he believed he had escaped.” This so enraged them, that they fired a Pistol at the Captain, which shot him in the Arm, and thereupon broke into his House, where they at last found the unfortunate Man in the Chest; whom they took out, tied his Hands and Legs, and putting him into a Hammock, sent him away to their King, who was at that time encamp’d up into the Country, four days journey off.

This unhappy Gentleman flattered himself, that the former Kindness the King had shown for him, would now save him; but his Majesty was so highly offended, that he would not vouchsafe to see him; so that he gave himself up for lost. However, a few days after this he was sent down to Sabee, about four Miles from the Fort, where he was given to understand, “If he would write to the Person that commanded in his Abscence for several things, which they named for his Ransom, that on their being sent he should have his Liberty.”

This he readily complied with, and they instantly allowed him more Freedom, permitting two of his own Negroe Servants to wait on him; so that he began to be easy in his Mind: But the Scene soon changed; for on their receiving the Things he had writ for, and which were of a considerable Value, these cruel base Villains seized his Person, and made his Body fast to Stakes drove in the Ground: Where, spreading him on his Belly, they with sharp Knives cut open his Arms, Back, Thighs and Legs in several places, and filled the Wounds with a mixture of Limejuice, Salt and Pepper mixed together; which put him to inexpressible Torment. However, they soon after put him out of his pain, by cutting off his Head. Then they cut his Body in pieces, broiled them on the Coals, and eat them.

Thus this poor Gentleman lost his Life in a terrible manner. And tho’ the King of Dahomè has since denied to some white People, “That he gave Orders to have him put to death;” His Majesty saying, by way of Excuse, “He only told some of his principal People to carry him to Sabee, and there do with him what they thought fit, not suspecting they would have used a white Gentleman in such a manner;” Yet it is not to be doubted but they knew their Master’s Mind too well in this Affair. For his Majesty punished none of those that were Actors in this cruel Tragedy; tho’ it was earnestly insisted on. Nay some of them that eat part of his Flesh, have been since so audacious, as to tell several Portuguese Gentlemen, that talked with them about it; “That English Beef was very good.”

After Mr. Testefole’s unhappy Fate, two white Men running away from the English Fort, one of them went to the King of Dahomè, and informed him, “There were but four white People left in the place, so that he might easily take it.” The King replied, “He had no quarrel with the English Nation; for what had been done to the late Governor, he by his Imprudence had brought on himself: And he hoped, the African Company would send a fitter Person to command the Fort for the future.”

Sometime after this the King of Dahomè considering he should certainly be invaded again by the J-oes, as soon as the Season permitted them to march, and dreading very much their power, he sent Embassadors with large Presents to their King, together with one of his handsomest Daughters. These were civilly received, and had the good fortune to succeed in their Negotiations. For they so gained some great Men about the King, by presenting them with large pieces of Coral (which the J-oes esteem above all things) that by their means an advantagious Peace was obtained for their Master, and they were civilly dismissed with handsome Rewards. For a Confirmation of the Peace, the King of J-oe sent, a little while after, one of his Daughters to the King of Dahomè for a Wife; and she was received with great Joy by the King and his People.

At my going on Shore at Jaqueen, the latter end of February 1729-30: I was informed of all that I have here related; and tho’ I found Trade very dull, yet all the white Gentlemen residing at that place, were full of Expectations, That, now a Peace was concluded between the J-oes and the Dahomes, we should soon have a great many Negroes brought down for Sale. But tho’ I was there above two Months, Trade did not mend in the least: And I am afraid it will not for many Years, because of the great Destruction of the Inhabitants of the neighbouring Countries, who used to carry on a regular Trade with the far inland People: Neither will those that had the good fortune to escape the Dahomes Cruelty, dare to return during the Life of the present Conqueror, whose Perfidiousness and Treachery they have often experienced.

I shall conclude this first Book with an account of a Misfortune that befel me by Fire, whilst I was at Jaqueen. The relation, if I mistake not, may be acceptable to the Reader, and give him a true notion of the Buildings, and some other Matters amongst the Negroes.

The Houses in that Country are built with mud-Walls, one Story high. The Rafters that support the Roof are made of Bamboes, which is a light spungy Wood. On these they lay a great quantity of Thatch, which in the dry Season of the Year is like Tinder: Yet the Natives are so careless, that many Fires happen in that Season; there having been no less than five during the two Months I was there, in which some thousands of their Houses were burnt down. This carelesness of the Negroes, I judge, chiefly proceeds from the little regard they have for their Furniture. For it is very mean, except amongst some of the principal People, consisting of Matts to sleep on, earthen Pots to boil their Victuals in; with a few other things of small value. Moreover, the Walls of their Houses being made of Clay, the Fire does them rather good than hurt, as it bakes them harder. And to new cover them it costs but little. So that the Europeans that have Factories in the Town of Jaqueen, are often great Sufferers by these frequent Fires, occasioned generally by the stupid Carelessness of the Negroes, which proceeds from the Reasons just now mentioned.

I thought our Factory pretty safe from it, for we lived in a large Court belonging to the Duke, who was the only Brother of the Lord of the Place by the same Mother, and his chief Minister. This House joined to the Apartments of the Duke’s Women, which it being a capital Crime for the Natives to go into, so it would have been very imprudent for any white Man to have attempted it: Yet the Fire, obliged us to save our selves that way, as I shall just now relate. The other side of the Court we lived in, opened into the Fields; and just by our Door a narrow Street began, where the Lord of Jaqueen’s Feticheer or Priest lived with his Family.

Two Fires having happened in the Town, within a few days one of the other, in which some Portuguese suffered a great Loss in their Goods, I express’d my apprehensions of the like Danger. But the Duke assured me, “It was never known, that either his Brother’s Houses, or his own had been burn’d. For they having abundance of Servants, if any Fire began near them, their People, by unthatching the Houses, soon put a stop to it. Moreover, all the Inhabitants who lived near the Court, were very careful of Fire; because it was death by their Law to all the Family where it began.” These Reasons made me more easy than I had been for some time. But on the fifteenth of March, being Sunday, what I long feared came to pass.

My hired black Servants asked me leave after Dinner, to go to the Burial of one of their acquaintance; and several of my white People did the same, being desirous to see the Customs of the Blacks on this occasion: In which indeed they are very ridiculous and expensive, drinking as much Brandy and other Liquors, as the Circumstances of the deceased Person will allow. I granted them all their request; and by that means there remained only two white Men with me in the Factory.

The Fire began about two a clock that afternoon, in the Feticheer’s House, just opposite to our Door, which immediately taking Fire, prevented our Escape that way. However in the first Surprize, I gave my Box of Books and Accounts to one of my young Men, who ventured through the Door-way with them, tho’ he was scorched by the Flames; and so I luckily saved them. My next care was to save our Gold, which I kept in a large Dutch Chest, thinking it safer there than in a Portmanteau, or a small Box, which our black Servants might have been tempted to run away with. But, in the hurry, I could not find the Key of the Chest, to take the Money out; and the Fire having taken hold of the Thatch of the room wherein it stood, I and the other white Man then remaining with me, took it up, and carried it into the Apartments belonging to the Duke’s Women: Where we met him and his Brother with many People, going to endeavour to stop the Fire, by unthatching the adjoining Houses; but the Flames were got to such a head, that they were soon forced to fly before them. My Man and I having carried the Chest through several windings and turnings in the Duke’s Houses, we began to be quite tired, (for it was very heavy) when, just in the nick of time, five black People came running towards us, and the way was so narrow they could not easily pass by us. One of these Men I knew, who spoke good English, “so I desired him and the others to save the Chest, for which I would well reward them.” He answered, “They durst not assist me; being obliged, on no less a Penalty than the loss of their Heads, to go and save the Duke’s Goods.” By good fortune I had my Cane then hanging on my Wrist, which I used to such purpose, that two of them immediately took up the Chest; whereupon I let the other three pass by: So, with the help of the two Men I had obliged to assist us, we got the Chest at last over a Wall ten foot high, into the Street, and so to the Dutch Factory in safety. But we had the Misfortune to lose in our Factory a large quantity of Goods, with all my Necessaries, except what was in the Chest. All the Duke’s houses, and the greatest part of his Furniture was destroyed; but his Brother’s were preserved, by unthatching the Houses that stood next his Court. I think, for the time this Fire lasted, which was but about an hour, nothing could be fiercer or quicker; and had it happened in the night, we should certainly have been burnt; for we could never have found our way out, amongst so many Turnings and Windings, as were in the Dukes Apartments.

When the hurry was pretty well over, the Lord of Jaqueen inquired after me, being under some concern about me; for he did not see me as he passed along in his Brother’s Rooms: As soon as he was informed of my Safety, he sent a Messenger to enquire, “How I did, after so severe a Misfortune?”

It is remarkable, we could never learn how this Fire happened, for tho’ I often press’d the Duke to make an inquiry after it, yet he always declined it; which I believe was on account of his Brother’s Feticheer, in whose Family the Fire began. However, they were so wise as not to let them repair their Houses, but obliged them to build further from the Court which belonged to the Duke.

Adjoining to the Feticheer’s House that was burnt, there was a large square Court, adorned with many handsome Trees that grew round it. In the middle of this place stood the Lord of Jaqueen’s Fetiche. It was made in the fashion of a large Hay-cock, and covered over with Thatch: On the top of this was placed a dead Man’s Scull, before which Offerings were made for the Duke’s Health and Preservation. This Fetiche escaped being burn’d, tho’ all the Houses adjoining to the Court wherein it stood were consum’d. This was cryed up by the People as a great Miracle; saying, “Their Lord’s God had taken care to preserve his own House:” Tho’ by what I could judge it was impossible this Fetiche should be burn’d, because it was at a considerable distance from the Fire, and guarded by so many Trees full of Branches and Leaves. But it was in vain to argue against their superstitious Notion.

After this Misfortune, I sent my People on board to get them more necessaries; during which time I remained in the Dutch Factory. On their return ashore, I was obliged, tho’ much against my will, to take a new-built house belonging to the Duke, but finding no one durst let me one (which it seems had been forbidden for the sake of the Duke’s Advantage) I complied. But what I feared came to pass, for we all got Fevers in a few days after we had been in this House.

About ten days after this, another terrible Fire happened, which began in a Portuguese Factory, and in this manner. A Negroe Cook frying some Fish in Palm-Oyl, the Oyl took fire; and he imprudently throwing Water thereon, the Flame of the Oyl ran up the side of the Wall, (for the Negroe Houses have no Chimneys) and instantly fired the Thatch. Whereupon the Wind then blowing very fresh, it spread in a moment and consumed, in two hours time, one third of the Town, in which stood several thousands of their little Houses: However, this did not come near our Factory.

Soon after this, my People grew so bad, that I was obliged to send them on board the Ship, and have others ashore in their room: In a little while after, the House we had been burnt out of, being repaired, we removed into it; and by this means had the Opportunity of seeing daily thousands of People bring Bamboes and Thatch, to repair the Duke’s Houses with; it being the Custom of the Country so to do, when either their Lord or his Brother wants it. But the noise of the People’s Musick, and antick dancing, on this occasion, gave me much Disturbance: Moreover, Trade continuing still very dull, it gave me no little concern; and having got rid of my Fever for a few days, it returned again. Being in these unhappy Circumstances, I received advice, that two of my Owner’s Ships were arrived in the Road of Jaqueen. Whereupon I left my Factory, and went on board my Ship; and there, the Commanders of the other two and I agreed, “It would be for our Owner’s Interest that I should go directly for England.” So, delivering to one of them what Negroes I had on Board, and receiving what Elephants Teeth, and Gold they had, I left the Road of Jaqueen the first day of May: And having had a fine Passage, in which I intirely lost my Fever, and recovered my Strength a little, I arrived safe in the River of Thames the 13th of July 1730.

ADDITIONS To the foregoing Account.

AS the Publication of this Book has been deferred till the Winter Season, it may not be unacceptable to the Reader, to have a farther Account of the King of Dahomè, according to the latest Advices come from those Parts.

I ended the first Book with an account of that King’s having concluded a Peace with the most powerful of his Enemies, the King of J-oe. This put the Europeans then residing at Jaqueen in great hopes, that those Countries would be settled, and Trade flourish again; tho’ at my departure from that Place, in May 1730, I saw but little prospect of it: And indeed it has been quite ruined since, by the Destruction of the Country of Jaqueen, on the 22nd of March 1731-2.

For the King of Dahomè being a restless ambitious Prince, instead of endeavouring (after the concluding of the Peace with the J-oes) to settle his conquered Countries, he marched far Inland against a Nation called the Yahoos.

These People valiantly defended themselves for many Months, having retired amongst their Mountains and Woods, where they were besieged by the Dahomes. The rainy Season coming on, the Dahomè Soldiers were desirous of returning to their own Country, but the King was highly incensed at it, and put several of the principal Officers to death, only for mentioning it to him. This caused great Murmurings in the Army, which were increased by their Sufferings from the Rains; so that some of his Captains deserted him with many Soldiers, amongst whom was one of his Sons, who fled with four thousand Men to the King of Weemey.

Finding himself in these Circumstances, he resolved to make one grand Effort on the Yahoos, in which he prevailed; but tho’ he beat them out of their Fastnesses, he gain’d little by it, they making a brave Retreat, in which his wearied Soldiers could not pursue them; and soon after he returned to his own Country, with the loss of most of his Forces and of his Reputation.

At this the People of Jaqueen were not a little pleased; for they always stood in fear of him, but now began to entertain Hopes, he might at last be destroyed.

There resided at that Place, a Dutch Gentleman named Mynheer Hertog. This Person carried on a considerable Trade, with the help of his black Servants, into several distant Countries, by means of a River that runs from Jaqueen into the Bay of Bennin. Having gained a great influence over the King of Jaqueen, they often consulted together, sending private Messages by the Traders to the King of Weemey, and other neighbouring Princes, to stir them up against the King of Dahomè, and withal supplied them with Ammunition. Of this the King of Dahomè having received Intelligence, and also that the People of Jaqueen were going to build a Fortification by the Directions of the Europeans residing there; he resolved to attack them, in order to be revenged.

The better to deceive them, he gave out, that he intended a second Expedition far inland: And to blind the Jaqueen Spies, he gave Order to his General to march towards the inland Parts, but in the Night the Army wheeled about, and with great Expedition (tho’ there were above fifteen thousand men in this Army) they came by the way of Whidaw to Jaqueen, without being discovered, till they were just entring the Town.

As the People of Jaqueen stood always in dread of the King of Dahomè, (as I have just now mention’d) they kept in readiness a great many Cannoes in the River that runs on the back part of the Town, to save themselves, in case they should be attacked and defeated. But being now surprized, they had little time to provide for their own Safety: However, the King and many of his principal People escaped in the Cannoes, to an Island he had fortified against such an Accident, and which lies in the middle of the River towards Appah. By that means he escaped the fury of the Dahomes; but he lost all his Riches, and, to add to his Misfortune, his Mother, (that was highly reverenced by him and his People) was taken Prisoner by the Enemy, and carried to the King of Dahomè; and what became of her afterwards is unknown.

Mynheer Hertog, the Dutch Chief, was at dinner, when the Dahomes entered the Town: And knowing how obnoxious he had made himself to their King, he immediately fled, being defended by four hundred of his People from the Enemy, till he got into a Cannoe; and then they shifted for themselves. He lost every thing in the Factory, which at that time was full of European Goods to a very great Value. This Gentleman escaped to Appah, which lies on the Sea Coast, about ten Leagues to the eastward of Jaqueen. He was kindly received by the King and People, who have a great aversion for the Dahomes.

In the Town of Jaqueen the Conquerors met with a great deal of Plunder, the Inhabitants not having had time to carry any thing away. But not satisfied with this, they made, according to their barbarous Custom, a terrible Carnage of the People; and to compleat the Destruction of the Country, set all the Towns and Villages on fire.

There were at this time in Jaqueen several Europeans, who fared little better than the Natives; their Factories being plundered of every thing. Amongst the rest there was Captain Robert More Commander of the Squirrel Galley, belonging to the late Humphrey Morrice Esq; This Gentleman being taken Prisoner with the white Men in his Factory, (as the French and Portuguese also were in theirs) was obliged to travel with them to the King of Dahomè, who then resided at Ardra, about fifty Miles within Land. And they were not so much as provided with Hammocks, or any other Carriages, but forced to walk on foot in the scorching Sun, which had like to have kill’d them.

Upon their appearing before the King, Captain More complained of his hard usage; telling his Majesty, “They had had no Victuals nor any Refreshment since they had been taken Prisoners.” The King thereupon rose up, and went into an inner room; whence coming out again with a Hatchet in his Hand, the sight of it so frightned some of the Portuguese, that they fell on their Knees to implore his Mercy; imagining their Heads were going to be cut off. But Captain More severely upbraiding them for their cowardly Behaviour, so disgraceful to white Men, they rose up: And had soon after the pleasure of seeing a small Cask of Beef opened with it, and several pieces ordered to be dress’d for them. This Cask of Beef, it seems, was found by the Soldiers in the Captain’s Factory, and sent up with other Plunder, to the King, the day before.

Then they were distributed according to their different Nations, and put under the care of several great Men. Captain More and his People were delivered to Allegee the English Cabocier; (as he was termed) that is, the Person appointed to Trade with them in particular. This black Gentleman treated them with great Civility; but they had the Mortification, a few days after, to hear, he was seized and beheaded; tho’ they could never learn the Cause.

It seems the King of Dahomè is grown exceedingly cruel towards his People, being always suspicious, that Plots and Conspiracies are carrying on against him: So that he frequently cuts off some of his great Men on bare Surmises. This, added to the many Disappointments he has met with from the J-oes, has so soured his Temper, that he is likewise greatly altered towards the Europeans, as Captain More experienced. For this Gentleman had been at his Camp formerly, and was known to him soon after the Conquest of Whidaw, as I have related in the former part of this Book.

Besides, both King and People continue as savage as ever, tho’ they have conversed for several Years past with white Men. For one day the Council having begged a Captive, his Majesty readily gave them one, whom they killed and feasted on.

But to return to Captain More. He and the other Europeans having continued a good while Prisoners, Mr. Dean, the African Company’s Governor of the Fort at Whidaw, came to Ardra, and interceded with the King for them: Representing, “As they had been at Jaqueen only on account of Trade, it was very unjust to detain them.” With these and many other Arguments, he at last obtained their Freedom: And a Guard was ordered to see Captain More safe down to Jaqueen. But he reflecting on the hard usage he had received at that place from the Soldiers, when at first taken Prisoner; and that they still were encamped there, he chose to go by the way of Whidaw: From whence he got on board a French Ship, and borrowed their Boat, which carried him to his own Ship, that lay in the Road of Jaqueen.

From this and the foregoing Account the Reader may observe, that now all the Countries near the Sea side, which the King of Dahomè could possibly get at, are not only conquered, but also turned into Desolation, with the Inland Parts, in so terrible a manner, that there is no Prospect of Trade’s reviving there again for many Years, or at least so long as the Conqueror lives. What little there is, is carried on chiefly at Appah, a place secured from him by a Morass and a River.

The End of BOOK I.