16 DECEPTION TO ENGLISH CEUISEES. Ch a p . I.
When the river is in flood, a natural canal running parallel
with the coast, and winding very much among the swamps,
forms a secret way for conveying slaves from Quillimane to
the bays Massangano and Nameara, or to the Zambesi itself.
The Kwakwa, or river of Quillimane, some sixty miles distant
from the mouths of the Zambesi, has long been represented
as the principal entrance to the Zambesi, in order, as the
Portuguese now maintain, that the English cruisers might
be induced to watch the false mouth, while slaves were
quietly shipped from the true one; and strange to say this
error has lately been propagated by a map issued by the
colonial minister of Portugal.*
* Stranger still, the Portuguese official
paper, “ Annaes do Conselho
Ultramarinho ” for 1864 shamelessly
asserts that ‘‘in that harbour (Kon-
gone), which Dr. Livingstone says he
discovered, many vessels with slaves
have taken refuge from the persecutions
of English cruisers.” This (shall
we admit?) was known to the Portuguese
Government! Would any
other gentleman in Europe construct
a map such as that mentioned in the
text, and send it to the English Government
as showing the true mouth
of the Zambesi ? We did not think of
printing the following letter from one
Portuguese official to another in Africa,
till we saw the poor swagger of the
Lisbon official paper, evidently intended
for other statesmen in Europe.
The editor of a Cape paper says—
“ Chevalier Duprat has, by the same
opportunity, received a communication
from the Portuguese governor of Tette,
of which the following is a translation :
‘ Sir,—When in the middle of last
year, was delivered to me by the hands
of Dr. Livingstone, the letters with I
which your Excellency honoured me,
under date of April of that same year,
I was at that moment involved in war
with the Kafirs of the district of Senna.
After this, other works, affairs and
ailing health, prevented-me from immediately
addressing to your Excellency
my thanks for the kind expressions
with which I have been honoured
by you. Your Excellency recommended
to me the illustrious Dr.
Livingstone. My relations with this
gentleman are so sympathetic that I
can never omit rendering him the services
which he requires, and which are
within my reach. . Still, my wishes
are subordinate to my powers, both
as an individual and as an authority,
I am aware how profitable to geographical
knowledge and science are
the explorations of the Doctor, as well
as to the prosperity of this country,—
as rich as neglected. I sincerely hope
it will be in my power to help him as
I could wish. Nevertheless, I assure
your Excellency that I will serve him
as far as lies in my power. I t is said
that our Government is about to esi
Ch a p . I. OFFICIAL TESTIMONY. 17
i After the examination of three branches by the able
| and energetic surveyor; Francis Skead, E.N., the Kongone
iwas found to be the best entrance. The immense amount
[of sand brought down by the Zambesi has in the course of
[ages formed a sort of promontory, against which the long
[swell of the Indian Ocean, beating during the prevailing
winds,, has formed bars, which, acting against the waters
i of the delta, may have led to their exit sideways. The
Kongone is one of these lateral branches, and the safest;
1 inasmuch as the bar has nearly two fathoms on it at low
water, and the rise at spring tides is from twelve to fourteen
' feet. The bar is narrow, the passage nearly straight, and,
were it buoyed and a beacon placed on Pearl Island,
would always be safe to a steamer. When the wind is from
the east or north, the bar is smooth; if from the south
and south-east, it has a heavy break on it, and is not to
be attempted in boats. A strong current setting to the east
: when the tide is flowing, and to the west when ebbing,
■ may drag a boat or ship into the breakers. If one is
doubtful of his longitude and runs east, he will soon see the
| land at Timbwe disappear away to the north; and coming
I tablisli a post at the bar of Luabo;
I and from there, to carry on direct navi-
igation to this district. Should this
I take place, great advantages will re-
Isult to this country, and to Livingsto
n e ’s great glory, because he was
I the first who passed over from the sea
: by this way of communication. I
I thank your Excellency for the news-
ipapers with which you furnished me.
I appreciate them as articles which
very seldom appear here. Your Ex-
| cellency also obliged me with some
Reeds; but, unfortunately, I was at
iMosambique, and having planted them
this year, they produced little; I fear
they were already old. My capability
for service is very limited, but if your
Excellency thinks that I can be of any
use, I shall be most gratified.
‘ I have, &c„
‘ Tito A. n’A. Sicabd,
Governor of Tette.
t Tette, July 9, 1859.’
“ These letters were brought to Natal
by H.M.’s brig ‘ Persian,’ which had
called there from Mosambique for
supplies, and were put on board the
‘ Waldensian,’ as she steamed out.”
C