master is, that they lean on him as a patriarchal chief, and he
has the satisfaction of settling their differences, and of saving
their lives in seasons of drought and scarcity. His father, a
man of superior attainments, was formerly the Portuguese
governor of Senna, and acquired a vast tract of rich country
to the southward, called Chiringoma, in a most honourable
manner ; but the Government ordered it to be split up, and
reserved two leagues only for the heir, apportioning the rest
in free grants to emigrants; the reason assigned for the
robbery, was that “ I t would never do for a subject to possess
more land than the crown of Portugal.” The Landeens soon
followed, took possession of the whole, and spoiled the spoilers.
Senhor Ferrâo received us with his usual kindness, and gave
us a bountiful breakfast. During the day the principal men
of the place called, and were unanimously of opinion that the
free natives would willingly cultivate large quantities of
cotton, could they find purchasers. They had in former times
exported largely both cotton and cloth to Manica and even to
Brazil. “ On their own soil,” they declared, “ the natives are
willing to laboùr and trade, provided only they can do so to
advantage : when it is for their interest; blacks work very
hard.” We often remarked subsequently that this was the
opinion of men of energy ; and that all settlers of activity,
enterprise, and sober habits had become rich, while those who
were much addicted to lying on their backs smoking invariably
complained of the laziness of the negroes, and were poor,
proud, and despicable. We dined with another very honourable
Portuguese, Major Tito A. d’A. Sicard, who quoted the common
remark that Dr. Livingstone’s discovery of the Kongone Bar
had ruined Quillimane ; for thé Government had proposed
to abandon that fever-haunted locality, and to found a new
town at the mouth of the’Kongoné. I t was not then known