country; where, from an exportation, 8 years ago, of about 235 lbs. of raw cotton, it lias been increased to 3,447 bales, for the year 1859.
(2) Palm Oil. In 1808 the quantity of Palm oil, imported into England, was only 200 tons. "The quantity that reached Great Britain during the year 1860 was 804,326 cwt." The estimate of the annual amount, from the whole of West Africa, is 60,000 tons.
This exposition of trade you will observe, has reference to but two articles. Its real importance would be greatly exasperated, if I could give you the items which pertain to the trade in other oils beside the Palm: in Ivory, of which 3,000 cwt. are annually exported; in Teak, Ebony, and Camwood, and in Gum-Arabic.
(3) I venture, however, to call attention to one more commercial fact, which will serve to show the growing value of this West African trade. In a recent number of the "African Times," published in London, I see that "the value of the exports of British produce and manufactures to British possessions on the west coast of Africa, has advanced from £263,725 in 1858 to £340,311 in 1860,"—that is, they have increased in value nigh $100,000 in two years.
I add here that such is the increasing value of the trade that the English steam-line on the "West coast, earned the latter part of 1861 a dividend of 7 percent., in addition to $10,000, which was laid aside as a sinking fund.
(b) Next to this, I may mention the active spirit of travel and inquiry which marks the age. Adven-
