Note 222 — Chapter XIII
Reading edition
Persons acquainted with the respective value of African produce, will perhaps ask how it happens that the akkabaahs transport Gum Soudan from Timbuctoo to Barbary, which is not so valuable as wax? The reason is evident, the wax is useful, and being consumed by the natives, always commands a price; the gum is not of any use or value to the Africans, but is collected and transported to Barbary only to be sold to the European factors on the coast.