ear to be valid. Religion seems to have no connection
with the change. Perhaps the climate may have some influence in subduing
their turbulent disposition, for the inhabitants generally are a timid
race; they are not half so brave as our Caffres. The people of Ambriz
ran away like a flock of sheep, and allowed the Portuguese to take
possession of their copper mines and country without striking a blow. If
we must have convict settlements, attention to the climate might be of
advantage in the selection. Here even bulls are much tamer than with us.
I never met with a ferocious one in this country, and the Portuguese use
them generally for riding; an ox is seldom seen.

The objects which I had in view in opening up the country, as stated
in a few notes of my journey, published in the newspapers of Angola, so
commended themselves to the general government and merchants of Loanda,
that, at the instance of his excellency the bishop, a handsome present
for Sekeletu was granted by the Board of Public Works (Junta da Fazenda
Publica). It consisted of a colonel's complete uniform and a horse for
the chief, and suits of clothing for all the men who accompanied me.
The merchants also made a present, by public subscription, of handsome
specimens of all their articles of trade, and two donkeys, for the
purpose of introducing the breed into his country, as tsetse can not
kill this beast of burden. These presents were accompanied by letters
from the bishop and merchants; and I was kindly favored with letters of
recommendation to the Portuguese authorities in Eastern Africa.

I took with me a good stock of cotton cloth, fresh supplies of
ammunition and beads, and gave each of my men a musket. As my companions
had amassed considerable quantities of goods, they were unable to carry
mine, but the bishop furnished me with twenty carriers, and sent forward
orders to all the commandants of the districts through which we were to
pass to render me every assistance in their power. Being now supplied
with a good new tent made by my friends on board the Philomel, we left
Loanda on the 20th of September, 1854, and passed round by sea to the
mouth of the River Bengo. Ascending this river, we went through the
district in which stand the ruins of the convent of St. Antonio; thence
into Icollo i Bengo, which contains a population of 6530 blacks, 172
mulattoes, and 11 whites, and is so named from having been the residence
of a former native king. The pro