ent and credible, I procured my information
respecting the _mediterranean sea in the interior of Africa, called
El Bahar Assudan, i.e. the Sea of Sudan_, situated fifteen days'
437 journey east of Timbuctoo. These two muselmen merchants had amassed
considerable fortunes at Timbuctoo, and were on their journey to
Fas, their native place; but in consequence of a civil war at that
time raging throughout West Barbary, particularly in the province
of Haha, through which it was indispensable that they should pass,
on their way to Fas, they sojourned with me two months; after which
they departed for Fas with a caravan.

These intelligent Moors gave me much information respecting
Timbuctoo, and the interior countries where they had resided; they
sold me many articles of Sudanic manufacture, among which were
three pieces of fine cotton cloth, manufactured at Timbuctoo, and
some ornaments of pure gold _in or molu_, of exquisite workmanship,
of the manufacture of Jinnie; one of these pieces of Timbuctoo
manufacture, of cotton interwoven with silk, of a square
blue-and-white pattern, dyed with _indigo of Timbuctoo_, I had the
honour to present to the British Museum, in April, 1796[239], where
it is now deposited.

[Footnote 239: This piece of cloth, about two yards wide and
five long, I had the honour of offering to Sir Joseph Banks,
who declined receiving it; but at the same time suggested that
it was a manufacture deserving public notice, and would be
considered an acceptable present by the British Museum.]

I have been led into this digression from certain insinuations that
have been[240] insidiously propagated, reflecting on the accuracy
438 of my statements respecting the interior of Africa; and I must add,
that I always have felt, and still feel confident, that in
proportion as we shall become more acquainted with the interior of
this unexplored continent, my account will be so much the more
authenticated: my confidence in this opinion, (however dogmatical
it may appear,) is founded on the original and intelligent sources
of my information; on a long residence and general acquaintance
with all the principal inhabitants of West Barbary, whose
connections lay in Sudan, and at Timbuctoo; in a competent
knowledge and practical acquaintance