Page 407 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)

380
BERBERA. [CH.

would, in the first instance, be thrown i
m our
way by the Banians; but all this might be
easily arranged by having an armed vessel
there for the first few seasons, until by means
of sensible agents, in whose hands the whole
traffic, in the first instance, should be placed,
the attention of the natives could be drawn
to the greater advantages they would derive

from a more equitable system, and mutual
confidence should be established.

The prospective advantages which would
attend the opening of a communication by
means of Berbera, not only with Abyssinia,
but also with the interior of Africa, are so
great, that, having every chance of success
on our side, the strongest inducements are
held out for our making the attempt. At all
events, it has, in my eyes, enough of supe­
riority over Lord Valentia’s scheme (which
experience has proved impracticable) to au­

thorise my submitting the above suggestions
for consideration*.
* From information which I acquired in the Red Sea, I have
reason to believe there is a fair chance from this point of a tra-
veller’s reaching the sources of the Nile and, possibly with a cara­
van, Interior Africa. Had I not proceeded to Arabia, it was my
intention to have made the attempt.