n Great Britain and the various ports, states, and kingdoms
of Europe; at such a time when we are in imminent danger of losing
427 the markets of a quarter of the globe, it becomes essentially
important to discover other channels for our commerce, and other
markets for our manufactures.

In this point of view, the information lately communicated to the
public by Mr. James Grey Jackson, in his "Travels in Africa,"
becomes highly interesting to the statesman as well as to the
merchant. From the account which he has given of the city of
Timbuctoo, and its commercial relations, there is great reason to
conclude, that if we could find means to open and maintain a safe
and easy communication with that great emporium, and with the rich,
fertile, and populous regions in its vicinity, we might acquire a
market for our manufactures, that would in time compensate for the
loss of that of Europe.

In the warehouses of Timbuctoo, are accumulated the manufactures of
India and of Europe; and from thence the immense population that
dwells upon the banks of the Niger is supplied. There is no doubt
that we could furnish the articles they want, upon much lower terms
than they can obtain them at present; and, in return, we should
furnish the best market they could have for their gold, ivory,
gums, and other rich products, and raw materials.

Now, it certainly appears to me, and I think it must appear to
every man who takes the trouble of investigating the subject, that,
provided Government would give proper support to the enterprise,
this important communication might easily be established. _For this
428 purpose, nothing more is necessary than to take a fortified station
upon the African coast, somewhere about the 29th degree of north
latitude, near the confines of the Marocco dominions, to serve as a
safe magazine or emporium for merchandize. From this station it
would be easy to maintain a direct correspondence with the opulent
merchants of Timbuctoo; regular caravans might be established to
depart at fixed periods; the protection of the Arabs can at all
times be purchased at stipulated prices, which may be considered as
premiums of insurance, or as a tax for convoy_, and thus in a
little time these caravans might carry out merchandize, to and from
Timbuctoo, with as