is dated at Tete in March, 1798, from which place he was to proceed with six officers and fifty soldiers; from this expedition he never returned. His despatch, however, contained much valuable information-inclosed was the deposition of Gonsalvo Gaetano Perreira, who had penetrated to the capital of the Cazembe, which is situated more than half the distance to Benguela, where, immediately on his arrival," a messenger was dispatched to the king of Mooropooa, informing him that if he had seen white men from Angola, the Cazembe had received a like visit from Mozambique."

An ambassador from the Cazembi visited Colonel Lacerda, at Tete, who furnished him with a route more southerly and direct than that pursued by Perreira, and stated that from the capital of his sovereign to that of Mooropooa (from which a constant communication is kept up with Benguela, and the coast canoes coming from Angola to within a short distance of it) was a journey of two months. Mooropooa is about two hundred miles distant from St. Philip de Benguela, direct east.

It will thus appear that two lines of communication have been opened between the eastern and western colonies of Portugal. In 1807, that from Benguela, through the fair at Cassange to the capital of the Muata Janvo, who trades with Mozambique, and that by Perreira, previous to 1798, from the latter place to the Cazembe, who maintain intercourse with Mooropooa, the latter place supplying Angola and the west coast with slaves and native produce.

The eastern settlements on the Zambezi or Cuama River, with their fairs, extend to above seven hundred miles from the coast; and, although much fallen off from their ancient splendour and extensive trade, are still important. Sena and Tete, which are built upon the river, are the headquarters commanding certain trading districts, besides

which is Zumbo, where the Portuguese are allowed a small factory by the natives.

Sena is a considerable town on the southern bank of the Zambezi, two hundred and sixty-seven miles above Quilimanci on the coast, and is the principal establishment : it contains about two thousand inhabitants, and, according to Bowdich, possesses a garrison of forty-nine men. It is protected by a strong fort, and is commanded by an officer subordinate to Mozambique, but superior over all other settlements on the river.

The chief mart for gold in the interior is in Manica, twenty days' journey south-west from Sena. Two fairs are held here for the convenience of trade, where the merchants of Sofala and Sena carry on their traffic; the site of one of these is placed by Bowdich in about lat. 19°, and long. 31° 30', where is a force kept up of twelve men. This is the most southerly establishment of the Portuguese, upon the frontier of the Zambezi colony, and not above four hundred and fifty miles from Kurrechane, that is, about one-third of the distance between Kurrechane and Cape Town. The first part of the journey from Sena to the Manica fair lies through a country under the influence of the Portuguese, and the remaining part of it comprises districts in the hands of native tribes, which the traders are obliged to conciliate by frequent presents: a tribute is also still continued to be paid to the Quitevé, or king, for his permission to carry on the trade, for which purpose an annual deputation is sent from Sena to his capital, Zembao, situated about two days' journey from the frontiers of Manica, on a great rising in that territory: this stream is navigable, and Zimbao is reported to be about fifteen days' journey from Sofala Bay.

The country round Manica is extremely yields abundance of provisions and cattle.

fertile, and

It is very

mountainous, and is supposed to lie at a great elevation above the sea, the weather at times being unusually cold for the latitude in which it is situated. Frequent storms of thunder and lightning occur, which are attributed by the Portuguese to the immense quantity of metallic substances with which the country abounds. The trade is here carried on by barter, and the goods most valued are Surat cloths, beads, coarse silks, and iron; and the returns, besides gold, consist of ivory, ghee, and a small quantity of copper."

Manica is principally watered by a branch of the Zambezi, the Manzora, or Arvanha River, which has several tributaries, the most westerly of which, the Mocaras, rises in Mount Fura, lying somewhere between lat. 18° and 19°, and long. 30°. This great mountain is said to be so abundant in the precious metal, that some have affirmed it to be the ancient "Ophir" of Solomon. Be that as it may, it is evident from the hewn stones found upon it, which tradition declares to have been formerly piled upon each other with great art, that it was at some remote period frequented and tenanted by tribes more powerful and skilful than the present inhabitants. The River which flows from it carries down its course sand mixed with gold. Tete is about sixty leagues farther up the river; and about half-way between it and Sena, is the pass of Lupata, where the stream is so contracted that a child may throw a stone across. The garrison consists of ninety-four regulars. Fifty leagues southwest of Tete are the ruins of Dambarrari, the former site of a fair, and once a large and flourishing town, where is still standing the steeple of the church, and even the clock in it. A month's journey from Tete brings the trader to Zumboo fair. From Tete down the river to the sea is a continuous navigation; but from the former place to Zumboo, the first fifteen days has to be performed overland, in consequence of great falls in the river) to Chicova, the reputed

seat of large and rich silver mines, and thence in small boats to the trading station, from which the adventurers send out their agents in different directions, who in return for Surat cloths, beads, coarse silks, and iron, bring back gold, ivory, and other valuable articles.

From information procured by Bowdich, the Zumbo fair is held in about lat. 17° 30', and long. 27° 30′, nearly five hundred miles direct north of Kurrechane, a point which is now frequently visited by the traders of the Cape Colony. It is surrounded by forests, and is a place of great resort; and a force of thirty-seven regulars is said to be maintained there by the Portuguese. To it is brought not only the principal part of the gold of the rich mines of Abutua (through which country the great river Cunene is supposed to run), one hundred and twenty leagues distant to the westward, but also that from the mines of Pemba and Murusura, "and what seems more extraordinary, considerable quantities of ivory from the Orange River." In this part of the interior the climate is mild and salubrious, but the resident Portuguese mulattos are represented to be very unprincipled. There are copper and iron mines near Zumbo, also beds of coal, various kinds of crystals, and an abundance of excellent timber *.

JOHN CENTLIVRES CHASE.

Just as these sheets were going to press, I received "The Cape of Good Hope Literary Gazette" for February, 1835, containing a letter from Mr. A. G. Bain, the celebrated African traveller, giving an account of his recent perilous adventures across the Bechuana country north of Litakou.

*South African Quarterly Journal, 1834.

This gentleman, accompanied by Mr. Biddulph, succeeded, in 1826, in penetrating as far as the 24th degree of north latitude, as will be perceived by a reference to the map, where their track is marked out, since which he has visited the various Caffer tribes extending along the eastern coast, as far as the Amaponda nation, from whence he had but recently returned when I met him at Graaff Reinet, in 1830. As the communication is replete with interest, and bears so immediately on the subject of the foregoing pages, there needs no apology for its insertion.

JOURNAL OF A TRAVELLER.

The author accompanies the Expedition under Dr. Smith as far as Philippolis-Estimate of the value of the party composing the Expedition-Manner of living-The Sabbath-Indian visitors— Boers in the Griqua country in search of pasture-Griqua and Hottentot servants-The Modder River-The Vaal River-PlatbergPoccana-Beauty of the country-Kraals of Corannas-Hart River -The Chief Makhatla-The party augmented by Corannas-Seechagholie River-Hunting and its successes-Description of the inhabitants of the country-Maloppo River-Preparation to meet an expected enemy-Some of the author's people abscond to steal cattle from Masilikatsie-A tribe of the Matebely avenge themselves-A battle; four of the natives killed-The Traveller routed with the loss of his waggons and rich collection of natural curiosities-Sufferings of the party in returning to the Colony-Missionary hospitalities, &c.

MY DEAR SIR,

Graaff-Reinet, December 18, 1834. Knowing the interest you have always taken in every thing connected with the Expedition for exploring Central Africa, and having just returned from that part of the Con

VOL. II.