At Montford, Shallo, and thereabouts, they make up the Deficiency of Rice and Corn for the Voyage, the Country appearing fruitful, and with better Aspect than any of those we have passed to Windward, intermixed with Hills and Vales; at every League almost, a Town; many Corn-fields, Salt pans and other Marks of Industry, particularly about Accra, which shews they are extricated out of those Difficulties with their Neighbours behind them, that the manner of persuing the Slave-Trade exposes others too.
At Accra, we, the French, and Dutch, have each a Factory and Fort, and make there great quantities of Salt, supplied to Windward, and to the inland Provinces, where it is always a precious Commodity.
Before we reach hither, we pass by a considerable high Mount, which Anchecove says, he has seen smoke like a Volcano; from whence, and being the Haunt of rapacious wild Beasts, they have borrowed the Name, and call it Devils Hill; but the most danger to Travellers, is from a prodigious number of Apes (some 5 foot long) and Monkeys that inhabit it, who will attack single Passengers, and drive them for Refuge into the Water, of which these Creatures are very fearful. At some Places the Negroes have been suspected of Bestiality with them, and by the Boldness and Affection they are known under some Circumstances to express to our Females; the Ignorance and Stupidity on the other side, to guide or controul Lust; but more from the near resemblances are sometimes met to the Human Species, would tempt one to suspect the Fact: Altho’ by the way, this, like other Hebridous Productions, could never go no farther; and as such a monstrous Generation would be more casual and subject to Fatality, the Case must be uncommon and rare. Our Carpenter got one on board from these parts, as near the likeness of a Child, without being one, as perhaps was ever seen; a flat and smooth Visage, little Hair, no Tail, would taste nothing but Milk, or Gruel sweetned, and that with difficulty; moaning continually in a tone like an Infant; in short, the Moans and Aspect were so shocking and melancholly, that after two or three Months keeping, it was stunn’d and thrown over-board.
The Ourang Outang, taken now and then at some parts of Guinea, and at the Island of Borneo in East India, has been thought a human Savage. Captain Flower brought home one from Angola, in 1733, disembowelled and preserved in Rum: It lived a few months with him, had a smooth Visage, little Hair, Genitals like the Human, with Testicles outside; would frequently walk on it’s hind Legs voluntarily; would sit down in a Chair to sip or drink, in the same manner they did; always slept sitting, with his Hands upon his Shoulders; not mischievous like others, and had his Hands, Feet, and Nails, more resembling ours.
The River Volta is remarkable for the Rapidity of its Stream, making a very great Sea upon the Bar, and carrying it self off for some way unmixed; at two Leagues, it’s only brackish. From hence begins the Papau Coast, low and woody.
The whole Track from Sierraleon, is without Gulphs or Bays, of near an equal depth of Water at the same distances; little Elevation, except at great Rivers where the Tides are regular, as with us at home; seldom without Breezes; when a Storm or Tornado happens, they are always off Shore. No Dews perceptible on board Ships in the Nights, tho’ large at Shore, and a constant misty Horizon. Captain Dampier observes the same near Shores, on the Western side of America: It is always hazy, says he, nigh Land, to 20 degr. of Latitude.
WHYDAH.
This Country is governed by an absolute King, who lives in Negrish Majesty at a Town called Sabbee, six Miles from the Sea. His Palace is a dirty, large Bamboo Building, of a Mile or two round, wherein he keeps near a thousand Women, and divides his time in an indolent manner, between Eating and Lust; he is fatned to a monstrous Bulk; never has been out since he became King (nigh twelve years) which some say, is because a large Dole being due to the People on the Demise of one, and the Accession and first Appearance of another new Prince, his Covetousness keeps him within doors: Others, that there is a Sword wanted (the Emblem of his Power); which should, but is not yet delivered him, by some grand Fetish-Man beyond Jaqueen. If any Subjects want Audience, they ring a Bell to give notice; and if admitted, must prostrate before him, as likewise to his grand Fetish-Man, or High-Priest, if present. The same Humility and Subjection is required of Inferiours to rich and powerful Men, without doors: They prostrate to as many as they meet of these in the Street, and stir not till a Sign is given to get up; so that the meanest may sometimes be two or three hours walking the length of the Town.