European Governments, shut them out from commerce and
every civilizing influence.
This Portuguese pretence to dominion is the curse of
the negro race on the East Coast of Africa, and it would
soon fall to the ground, were it not for the moral support it
derives from the respect paid to it by our own flag. The
Emperor Napoleon III. disregarded it in the case of thè
“ Charles et Gèorges,” while only by the aid of English sailors
has the Government of Mosambique, on more than one
occasion, been saved from being overturned. Our squadron
on the East Coast costs over 70,000?. a year, and, by our
acquiescence in the sham sovereignty of the Portuguese, we
effect only a partial suppression of the slave-trade, and
none of the commercial benefits which have followed direct
dealing with the natives on the West Coast. A new law for
the abolition of slavery has been proposed by the King of
Portugal ; but it inspires me with no confidence, as no means
have ever been taken to put similar enactments already
passed into execution, and we can only view this as a new
bid for still further acquiescence in a system which perpetuates
barbarism. Mons. Lacerda has unwittingly shown,
by his eager advocacy, that the real sentiments of his
employers are decidedly pro-slavery. The great fact that
the Americans have rid themselves of the incubus of slavery,
and will probably not tolerate the continuance of the
murderous slave-trade by the Portuguese nation, has done
more to elicit their king’s recent speech than the opinions of
his ministry.
C O N T E N T S .
INTRODUCTION.
P a g®
U O P E S O F TH E AUTHOR. FAILURE OF SEARCH OF PORTUGUESE
for Ophir. E arly Catholic Missions. Sir R. Murchison’s
theory. L ord P almerston’s policy. Objects
of E xpedition .. .. •• •• •• *• •• ^
CHAPTER I.
Concealment of Mouths of Zambesi by P ortuguese. T he
Zambesi and its banks. “ F ree E migrants.” Mariano.
S e n n a a n d i t s “ o n e v i r tu e , ” S e n h o r F e r r a o . M a jo r
I SlCARD AND MXKOLOLO. LuPATA GORGE ............................. 14
CHAPTER II.
Meet Makololo. Superstitions. Voluntary slavery.
Tette, plants, coal, gold, And iron. KEbrabasa.
Morumbwa .. 42
CHAPTER III.
Native musicians. Aerioan fever. River Sh ire, first
: ascent of.. Murchison’s Cataracts. Second trip tjp
the Shire . L ake Shirwa. Return to T et te. Steamer,
FAILURE O F ....................... i .. . . •• 6 3
CHAPTER IV.
T hird trip up the Shire. Mount Morambala. H ot fountain.
P ortuguese geographical knowledge ! Shire
marshes. Birds. Brackish soil and cotton, Chibisa 87
CHAPTER V,
Manganja highlands. Be l ie f in a Supreme Being, Discovery
of L ake Nyassa. Dr. Ro s o h e r ........................ », 104