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Bonny for some time past. Five vessels, of the burthen of 300 tons each, have obtained full cargoes there during the two last seasons, the cost price of which was from 127. to 157. sterling per It ought to be remarked, that, when the slave-trade here was in its greatest activity, masters of vessels sometimes found much difficulty in obtaining two or three puncheons of palm-oil for the use of the slaves on the middle passage, and have been compelled to send for it to Old Calabar.

The natives of Bonny are expert traders, and obtain from masters of vessels very extensive credits, who grant them this indulgence, in order to bind them to their interests, and the great secret of the trade, both here and at Old Calabar, where credit is even more extensively given, is to discriminate properly in whom to place confidence; for many of them are so unprincipled, that, after having obtained in this way a large amount of goods from one captain, they take their native produce for sale to another. Others, however, are very punctual in their dealings; and when they see a captain too liberal in lending or giving, advise him to be more circumspect, or, to speak in one of their metaphors, to keep his hand shut.

The Customs, or duties payable by a ship, amount to about 150%. sterling.

Palm-oil is purchased by the puncheon.

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Salt an important article of trade, and is sold in tubs of 36lbs., for 4 coppers per tub.

A considerable trade in palm-oil was carried on at Old Calabar, during the existence of the slavetrade, and has augmented very much in the last four or five years. In the last season, not less than two thousand tons have been imported into Liverpool from thence.

The oil is purchased by the tub, or crue, of ten gallons, for eighteen coppers, the price varying according to the demand; and eighteen coppers may be deemed a high price, the oil costing at that rate nearly 147. sterling per ton.

Salt being very cheap in Liverpool, and always in demand at Calabar, the vessels going there generally take, of that article, the amount of their register tonnage, beside a well assorted cargo of the other enumerated articles.

A house on shore, for the storage of oil as it is purchased, is therefore requisite, until a quantity of salt is disposed of, so that the oil can be received

on board. The casks which receive it are carried out in shakes, and set up in the country, much precaution being used in trimming and coating them. In consequence, vessels take three or four coopers, the mortality among that class of artificers being generally great, by reason of much of their duty being performed on shore.

The duties payable amount to about 2501. sterling, a moiety of which goes to Duke Ephraim, the principal chief: the residue is divided amongst the minor chiefs. The currency of the country is copper rods.

Barwood is obtained at a very cheap rate; but its value in England is so much reduced, that few vessels take more than is sufficient for broken stowage and dunnage.

Many of the traders expect and receive credit to a great extent: a master of a vessel, therefore, in selecting those in whom to place confidence, ought to be possessed of sound judgement and acute discrimination.

MERCHANDISE SUITABLE TO BARTER FOR A SMALL CARGO OF IVORY AND BARWOOD, AT AMBRIZE, CABENDA, MALEMBA, LOANGO, AND MAJUMBA.

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This abstract is adequate to purchase four or five tons of ivory, and from fifty to one hundred tons of barwood, unless there is much competition. An extensive trade in ivory is carried on at the above places, and on the line of coast extending from Majumba to Gaboon. At the latter places, barwood is also obtained of good quality.

Fast-sailing vessels, of the burthen of 80 tons, and from that to 120 tons, are the sizes most suitable to be employed in the ivory trade.

is generally transacted on shore.

Business

Ivory is often purchased on this coast at so

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