goes on board in great
state, in his canoe, for this purpose, previously to which, no one is
allowed to leave the ship. This regulation, which is a method of
securing the port dues, affects those only, who come to the river for
the purpose of trade, and as the Portia was a government vessel,
they were not included in the number of those, who had the port dues
to pay. As soon as they had anchored, Richard Lander accompanied Mr.
Becroft on shore, and proceeded with him to the duke's residence, for
the purpose of paying their respects to him. A walk of about ten
minutes brought them to his house, and they found him in the palaver
square which belongs to it, busily engaged in writing, and surrounded
by a great number of his principal people. It was something unusual
to find a native chief thus employed, but the large dealings which
Duke Ephraim appears to have with the Liverpool merchants, accounts
in some measure for this accomplishment, and the smattering of
English which he has obtained. His only pretensions to dress,
consisted in a smart, gold laced hat, which he wore, and a handsome
piece of silk tied round his loins. His chief officers, who were next
to him, also wore gold laced hats, while those next in rank wore
silver lace, and the lower class contented themselves without either.
They arrived at council time, but Mr. Becroft being immediately
recognized by the duke, he received them very cordially, and made
them sit down. Duke Ephraim bears the character of being always very
civil and attentive to the English, and of making himself very active
in supplying their wants of live stock. He has formed a favourable
opinion of them, from the fine things they bring him, but his
discernment goes beyond these; for the circumstance of slave vessels
having being captured and taken out of the river, by the boats of the
English ships of war on the station, has impressed him with
admiration of their boldness and courage, and given him a very
exalted opinion of their power. Vessels of war formerly came up the
river in search of slaves, and he has always received their
commanders with much kindness, and assisted them all in his power; a
trait in his character, which is rather extraordinary, when their
object is considered, as he is the principal agent by whom supplies
of slaves are furnished from the interior. None, however, are
allowed to come up now, in consequence of the deaths that have
occurred.

After a short time, they wer