ese were driven out of the country by the Landeens,
but now talk of reoccupying Manica.

The most pleasant sight I witnessed at Senna was the negroes of Senhor
Isidore building boats after the European model, without any one to
superintend their operations. They had been instructed by a European
master, but now go into the forest and cut down the motondo-trees, lay
down the keel, fit in the ribs, and make very neat boats and launches,
valued at from 20 Pounds to 100 Pounds. Senhor Isidore had some of them
instructed also in carpentry at Rio Janeiro, and they constructed for
him the handsomest house in Kilimane, the woodwork being all of country
trees, some of which are capable of a fine polish, and very durable. A
medical opinion having been asked by the commandant respecting a better
site for the village, which, lying on the low bank of the Zambesi, is
very unhealthy, I recommended imitation of the Jesuits, who had chosen
the high, healthy mountain of Gorongozo, and to select a new site on
Morumbala, which is perfectly healthy, well watered, and where the Shire
is deep enough for the purpose of navigation at its base. As the next
resource, I proposed removal to the harbor of Mitilone, which is at
one of the mouths of the Zambesi, a much better port than Kilimane, and
where, if they must have the fever, they would be in the way of doing
more good to themselves and the country than they can do in their
present situation. Had the Portuguese possessed this territory as a real
colony, this important point would not have been left unoccupied; as it
is, there is not even a native village placed at the entrance of this
splendid river to show the way in.

On the 9th of May sixteen of my men were employed to carry government
goods in canoes up to Tete. They were much pleased at getting this work.
On the 11th the whole of the inhabitants of Senna, with the commandant,
accompanied us to the boats. A venerable old man, son of a judge, said
they were in much sorrow on account of the miserable state of decay into
which they had sunk, and of the insolent conduct of the people of Kisaka
now in the village. We were abundantly supplied with provisions by
the commandant and Senhor Ferrao, and sailed pleasantly down the broad
river. About thirty miles below Senna we passed the mouth of the River
Zangwe on our right, which farther up goes by the name of Pungwe; and
about five miles farther on our left, close to the end of a low range
into