“King Eyo Honesty at Old Creek Town.”

  (NO. 4.)

  “Dear friend Captain Cummins Sir I have to thank you to send me 8
  Empett Cask for to go for Market.

  “I remain your friend Eyo Eyo Honesty."[37]

  (NO. 5.)

  “My friend Captain Commins if you please send me that Rum I been beg
  you and thank you for lettle Beef too if you got any.

  “Toby Tom Narrow.”

  (NO. 6.)

  “Captain R. Commings Sir I mush obliged to you for please spear me
  some nails for make door do my friend I remain Sir

  “Tom Duke.”

  (NO. 7.)

“Captain Cummins Sir I let you know but I want to go to Market for me self in I send you Book to give me 50 Iranba for 110 Crew Salt then now I want 70 Crew Salt in them Bring me Book for 40 Crew Salt again then now I thank you to Down hose head for my 2 small hatt I am your Humble Servant

  “Antega Ambo.”

If the Christian Missionaries were to establish schools in the towns on the banks of these rivers, they would be very likely to prove eminently beneficial to the people, who are very desirous of, receiving every kind of instruction, more particularly a knowledge of writing, which, at present, the head men teach each other in an imperfect manner, of which the above notes form an example.  There is not one of them who ever read English, or any other language in print; and I have heard the Duke express great regret at not being able to read the newspapers, of the contents of which, although he had seen many, he still remained ignorant.

Thursday, 13.—­The Eden’s prize (a Spanish schooner taken last voyage by the African) arrived this evening from Fernando Po, with Capt.  Owen on board, to whom Captain Smith and myself immediately went to pay our respects.

Friday, 14.—­Captain Owen visited the Spanish slave schooner, the ship Agnes, the brig Kent, and mustered the crews of the two palm-oil vessels, when he met with several volunteers for the Eden.  In the afternoon, he went on shore to see the Duke, who received him very civilly, but suspiciously, for, notwithstanding their great professions of friendship for the English in general, and their real regard for some particular individuals, who are regular traders to the country, the consideration of the profits they derive from the slave-trade, prompts them to feel no little annoyance at our interference in their lucrative commerce.  They already perceive that our new settlement at Fernando Po, is calculated to interfere with their proceedings, and they have clearly expressed their sentiments upon the subject; not, however, without clothing their observations so cunningly as to avoid giving offence.

“What for,” said one, “white man come to live in black man’s country?  What for can’t white man stop in own country?  Much better for white man, than black man’s country.”