Some Historical Account of Guinea | Page 9

That the greatest number
of these are at Kommendo, Mina, and Kormantin. From each of which
places, there go out every morning, (Tuesday excepted, which is the
Fetish day, or day of rest) five, six, and sometimes eight hundred
canoes, from thirteen to fourteen feet long, which spread themselves
two leagues at sea, each fisherman carrying in his canoe a sword, with
bread, water, and a little fire on a large stone to roast fish. Thus they
labour till noon, when the sea breeze blowing fresh, they return on the
shore, generally laden with fish; a quantity of which the inland
inhabitants come down to buy, which they sell again at the country
markets."
[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 640.]
William Smith says,[A] "The country about Acra, where the English
and Dutch have each a strong fort, is very delightful, and the natives
courteous and civil to strangers." He adds, "That this place seldom fails
of an extraordinary good trade from the inland country, especially for
slaves, whereof several are supposed to come from very remote parts,
because it is not uncommon to find a Malayan or two amongst a parcel
of other slaves. The Malaya, people are generally natives of Malacca,
in the East Indies, situate several thousand miles from the Gold Coast."
They differ very much from the Guinea Negroes, being of a tawny
complexion, with long black hair.
[Footnote A: William Smith, page 145.]

Most parts of the Slave Coasts are represented as equally fertile and
pleasant with the Gold Coast. The kingdom of Whidah has been
particularly noted by travellers.[A] William Smith and Bosman agree,
"That it is one of the most delightful countries in the world. The great
number and variety of tall, beautiful, and shady trees, which seem
planted in groves, the verdant fields every where cultivated, and no
otherwise divided than by those groves, and in some places a small
foot-path, together with a great number of villages, contribute to afford
the most delightful prospect; the whole country being a fine easy, and
almost imperceptible ascent, for the space of forty or fifty miles from
the sea. That the farther you go from the sea, the more beautiful and
populous the country appears. That the natives were kind and obliging,
and so industrious, that no place which was thought fertile, could
escape being planted, even within the hedges which inclose their
villages. And that the next day after they had reaped, they sowed
again."
[Footnote A: Smith, page 194. Bosman, page 319.]
Snelgrave also says, "The country appears full of towns and villages;
and being a rich soil, and well cultivated, looks like an entire garden."
In the Collection,[A] the husbandry of the Negroes is described to be
carried on with great regularity: "The rainy season approaching, they
go into the fields and woods, to fix on a proper place for sowing; and as
here is no property in ground, the King's licence being obtained, the
people go out in troops, and first clear the ground from bushes and
weeds, which they burn. The field thus cleared, they dig it up a foot
deep, and so let it remain for eight or ten days, till the rest of their
neighbours have disposed their ground in the same manner. They then
consult about sowing, and for that end assemble at the King's Court the
next Fetish day. The King's grain must be sown first. They then go
again to the field, and give the ground a second digging, and sow their
seed. Whilst the King or Governor's land is sowing; he sends out wine
and flesh ready dressed; enough to serve the labourers. Afterwards,
they in like manner sow the ground, allotted for their neighbours, as
diligently as that of the King's, by whom they are also feasted; and so
continue to work in a body for the public benefit, till every man's

ground is tilled and sowed. None but the King, and a few great men, are
exempted from this labour. Their grain soon sprouts out of the ground.
When it is about a man's height, and begins to ear, they raise a wooden
house in the centre of the field, covered with straw, in which they set
their children to watch their corn, and fright away the birds."
[Footnote A: Collection, vol. 2, page 651.]
Bosman[A] speaks in commendation of the civility, kindness, and great
industry of the natives of Whidah; this is confirmed by Smith,[B] who
says, "The natives here seem to be the most gentleman-like Negroes in
Guinea, abounding with good manners and ceremony to each other.
The inferior pay the utmost deference and, respect to the superior, as do
wives to their husbands, and children to their parents. All here are
naturally industrious, and find constant employment; the men in