[Footnote A:  Collection. vol. 3, page 228.]

[Footnote B:  Smith, page 228.]

Bosman tells us,[A] “That his countrymen the Dutch, who were often obliged to trust them till they returned the next year, were sure to be honestly paid their whole debts.”

[Footnote A:  W. Bosman, page 405.]

There is in Benin a considerable order in government.  Theft, murther, and adultery, being severely punished.  Barbot says,[A] “If a man and a woman of any quality be surprized in adultery, they are both put to death, and their bodies are thrown on a dunghill, and left there a prey to wild beasts.”  He adds, “The severity of the laws in Benin against adultery,[B] amongst all orders of people, deters them from venturing, so that it is but very seldom any persons are punished for that crime.”  Smith says, “Their towns are governed by officers appointed by the King, who have power to decide in civil cases, and to raise the public taxes; but in criminal cases, they must send to the King’s court, which is held at the town of Oedo, or Great Benin.  This town, which covers a large extent of ground, is about sixty mile from the sea."[C] Barbot tells us, “That it contains thirty streets, twenty fathom wide, and almost two miles long, commonly, extending in a straight line from one gate to another; that the gates are guarded by soldiers; that in these streets markets are held every day, for cattle, ivory, cotton, and many sorts of European goods.  This large town is divided into several wards, or districts, each governed by its respective King of a street, as they call them; to administer justice, and to keep good order.  The inhabitants are very civil and good natured, condescending to what the Europeans require of them in a civil way.”  The same author confirms what has been said by others of their justice in the payment of their debts; and adds, “That they, above all other Guineans, are very honest and just in their dealings; and they have such an aversion for theft, that by the law of the country it is punished with death.”  We are told by the same author,[D] “That the King of Benin is able upon occasion to maintain an army of a hundred thousand men; but that, for the most part, he does not keep thirty thousand.”  William Smith says, “The natives are all free men; none but foreigners can be bought and sold there.[E] They are very charitable, the King as well as his subjects.”  Bosman confirms this,[F] and says, “The King and great Lords subsist several poor at their place of residence on charity, employing those who are fit for any work, and the rest they keep for God’s sake; so that here are no beggars.”

[Footnote A:  Barbot, page 237.]