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AFRICA: SUPERSTITION.

The political purposes of this" perturbed spirit" are very evident. He and his adherents disturb the public security, till a proper officer is appointed: hence the King is rouzed to his duty, without hazard

The following article is extracted from THE MISSIONARY REGISTER for April last. It describes a proceeding that combines Superstition with Politics, in a manner ex-ing a political commotion. tremely characteristic of the country, and is rendered more complete by a delineation; for the use of which, we are obliged to the Gentlemen who conduct the work in which it originally appeared. This is not the first time of our hearing of Africans, who painting from mere spite

We presume that the KOLLOH, also, occasionally, punishes the lesser crimes of the vicinity; much the same as the MUMBO JUMBO of another part of this country. What barbarous institutions, resorted to for purposes intentionally salutary!!

YONGROO Ромон.

The Kolloh, or Devil, of the Bulloms. The accounts of Yongroo Pomoh (says Mr. Nyländer) begin this year with the burying of Nensukoh.

Their country devil paint him devilish white : and it has been remarked, that, however imperfect, or immoral, any nation may be, it never approves of a Devil in its own The Bullom Country is divided into a Jikeness, or of the same colour, or, even, apgreat many parts, each of which is governproaching resemblance. White men painted by a Sukoh, or Head-man. The head of black devils: black men paint white de- all these Sukohs is Bay, the King. On his vils; and we can scarcely imagine the ter- acceptance of the title and authority of the ror attendant on this simple idea of change King of the Country, he chooses a Nensuof colour. Parke tells us in his first Tra- koh and a Nengbannah, as his assistants in ruling the country. All three are respected vels in Africa, that, in some places, when by the people as Kings: they sometimes he entered a tent, the women and children call them the first, second, and third King. ran away crying, and hid themselves. For They are stationed in different places; this they had sufficient cause, if they had yet at such a distance, that, in two or three days' time, they may all meet at the king's been taught to endow the Devil with place. All the Sukobs, or Head-men, are whiteness, as his peculiar distinction. In accountable to them for any Palavers, and a different quarter Captains Lewis and they report it to the King. If there be any Clarke relate, that the North American great Palaver, such as respecting murder or withcraft, these must be settled before Indian Chiefs, would scarcely believe that the King, at Yongroo. the Negro Servant of Capt. Clarke was of a truly natural colour, and not painted black. I

Should any of these three Kings die, the inhabitants of his residence are permitted

to plunder in every place they choose, till another Head-man is appointed in the place of the deceased. Sometimes they cannot immediately fill up his place with a good man: then the widow, or the eldest daughter, puts on men's clothes, and is considered as Head-man of the vacant place: yet the plundering goes on. I was eye-witness myself to their destroying a number of plantain-trees, and catching of fowls, &c. where they passed through. To prevent such mischief being done at the Settlement, I applied to the King for protection. During the time, from the death to the burial of Nensukoh, the inhabitants from the neighbouring places brought their fowls and sheep to me for protection. At the same time, another Head-man died: and two great Head-men being now killed, | as was supposed, by some witches, the KOLLOH was very much grieved at it, and came out of his recess to dance and cry for the loss of the Heads of the country, and to drive out all young people to dance at nights and to cry with him, or to lament the loss of these Head-men by drinking palm-wine and honey-wine, which is prepared almost through the whole country, and brought together to the place of the cry, which lasted here about two months. KOLLOH is the name of a great spirit, who is supposed to reside in the neighbourhood of Yongroo. He never comes out of the woods, except on such mournful occasions as these: or, if a person has been buried without his relations making a cry for him, then the KOLLON, who has intercourse with the departed spirits, feels himself so much hurt, that he is obliged to leave his abode at nights, and to go to the houses of those relations, to rouse them and to trouble them every night, till they procure rum and palm-wine, &c. and have a good drink, and dance publickly, in remembrance of their departed friend.

The KOLLOH is made of bamboo-sticks, in the form of an oval basket, about three feet long, and so deep that it goes over the man's shoulders. It is covered with a piece of net, and stuck all round with porcupine-quills on the nose. The mouth and nostrils stand wide open. It is frightful to look at. Children, women, and old people, ran and scream at its appearance.

through the day, are at the dance at night. If any are missed, he is permitted to enter the houses, and to drive them out by force; and he is a faithful servant of the Devil. Some people stay out in the fields through the night, to enjoy a little rest after their daily fatigue.

The Kolloh-man is naked, has washed himself over with white clay, and has fringes of packing-mats or plantaia-leaves round his waist, knees, and ancles. To give notice of his coming, he rings a bell, which is fixed inside of the cap or basket. He has a switch in his hand, to shew his authority. If any person pass by his abode, which is near the public road, he sings out, "Ee!" with one tone. If people meet him in the road, they must either hide themselves, or else go back; otherwise he catches them, and carries them to his place, and keeps them there for a few days, teaching them something of his arts, which the people keep very secret. He makes them swear; and tells them, if they discover the secrets, the KOLLOH knows it, and makes their bellies swell, and they are dead the moment they divulge any thing of the secresy.

After any of the people (chiefly children of ten or twelve years, sometimes young men) have been taught in the mysteries of KOLLO, they engage in his service, and go about with their teacher, beating on a small turtle-shell, and singing.

He came also to visit me, standing before the children all running to hide themselves. the door, and sang out his long "Eel" I asked what it meant; and was told that this was the Devil, and, as the great Head-men of the country were dead, he

was much troubled about it, and came out of the woods to make cry for thein; and now he came to give me service. I said, "I accept of no Devil's services: I am come to drive him out of this country."

These Kolloh-people are a set of plunderers, who used to disturb the natives very much. When the Sierra-Leone Company had people here, they have plundered them of every thing.

It shall be my labour to banish, not only this representative of the Devil, but the Devil himself, from the Bullom Shore. He has great power in this benighted spot; A certain man pretends to have some and resists our labours, both in private and very intimate intercourse with this Beel- in public. May we be enabled to conquer, zebub; and therefore is called by the spi-through Him who has all power in heaven

rit to take the KOLLOH on his head, and to go about with it, to see that the dances, drinkings, and howlings, are carried on regularly through the whole night; and that all the young people, who are at work

and in earth!

Mr. Nyländer accompanied this Narrative with a sketch of the KOLLOU, from which the annexed representation has been designed.

4607

In the year 1800.

500

AMERICANA.

No. II.

1805

1810

1815

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10,000 90,000

This statement the committee have ne reason to doubt; nor have they any to question the truth of the following suc cinct statement of the capital which is employed, of the labour which it commands,

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40,000,000 dollars.

In our last Number we inserted a portion of our Intelligence from America: we now add other documents, political and moral. We are extremely sorry to observe that Morals and Religion are reported to be ex-and of the products of that labour:— ceedingly defective. The subject is partly The introduced in the present article. view taken of it, by some of the more intelligent among the Americans, is unusually perplexing, and painful. We shall give further extracts from our correspondence in following numbers.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COMMERCE
AND MANUFACTURES.

Capital. Males employed, from the age of 17 and upwards

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Women and female
children

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Boys under 17 years of

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House of Representatives of the United States, Cotton wool manufac

Feb. 13, 1816.

...Prior to the years 1806 and 1807, establishments for manufacturing cotton wool had not been attempted, but in a few instances, and on a limited scale.

Their rise and progress are attributable to embarrassments to which commerce was sub jected, which embarrassments originated in causes not within the controul of human prudence.

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10,000

66,000

24,000

15,000,000 dollars.

27,000,000lbs.

81,000,000

24,000,000 dollars. The rise and progress of such establishments can excite no wonder. The inducements of industry in a free government are numerous and inviting. Effects are always in unison with their causes. These inducements cousist in the certainty and security which every citizen enjoys of exercising exclusive dominion over the creations of his genius, and the products of his labour; in procuring from his native soil, at all times, with facility, the raw materials that are required; and in the liberal encouragement that will be accorded by agriculturists to those who, by their labour, keep up a constant and increasing demand for the produce of agriculture.

While commerce flourished, the trade which had been carried on with the continent of Europe, with the East Indies, and with the colonies of Spain and France, enriched our enterprising merchants; the benefits of which were sensibly felt by the agriculturists, whose wealth and industry were increased and extended. When external commerce was suspended, the capitalists throughout the Union became solicitous to give activity to their capital. A portion of it, it is believed, was directed to the improvement of agriculture; and not an inconsiderable portion of it, as it Every State will participate in those adappears, was likewise employed in erecting vantages. The resources of each will be establishments for manufacturing cotton explored, opened, and enlarged. Different wool. To make this statement as satisfac-sections of the union will, according to tory as possible-to give it all the certheir position, the climate, the population, tainty that it is susceptible of attaining, the habits of the people, and the nature of the following facts are respectfully sub-the soil, strike into that line of industry mitted to the consideration of the House. which is best adapted to their interest and They show the rapid progress which has the good of the whole; an active and free been made in a few years, and evidently intercourse, promoted and facilitated by the ability to carry them on with certainty roads and canals will ensue; prejudices, of success, should a just and liberal policy which are generated by distance, and the regard them as objects deserving encouwant of inducements to approach each ragement. other, and reciprocate benefits, will be reBales of cotton manufactured in manu- moved; information will be extended; the facturing establishments :

union will acquire strength and solidity,

By trading on our own capital, collisions with other nations, if they be not entirely done away, will be greatly diminished. This natural order of things exhibits the

The government, possessing the intelli gence and the art of improving the resources of the nation, will increase its efficient powers, and, enjoying the confidence of those whom it has made happy, will oppose to the assailant of the nation's rights the true, the only invincible ægis-the unity of will and strength. Causes producing war will be few. Should war take place, its cala. mitous consequences will be mitigated, and the expenses and burdens of such a state of things will fall with a weight less op

and the Constitution of the United States, and that of each State, will be regarded as fountains from which flow numerous streams of public and private prosperity. Each Government moving in its appro-commencement of a new epoch, which priate orbit, performing with ability its promises peace, security, and repose, by a separate functions, will be endeared to the firm and steady reliance on the produce of hearts of a good and grateful people. agriculture, on the treasures that are emThe States that are most disposed to ma-bosomed in the earth, on the genius and nufactures as regular occupations will drawingenuity of our manufacturers and mefrom the agricultural states all the raw chanics, and on the intelligence and ens materials which they want, and not an in- terprise of our merchants. considerable portion also of the necessaries of life; while the latter will, in addition to the benefits they already enjoy, always command, in peace or in war, at moderate prices, every species of manufacture that their wants may require. Should they be inclined to manufacture for themselves, they can do so with success, because they have all the means in their power to erect and to extend, at pleasure, manufacturing establishments. Our wants being supplied by our own ingenuity and industry, exportation of specie, to pay for foreign manufac-pressive and injurious on the nation. The tures, will cease. expenditures of the last war were greatly The value of American produce at this increased by a dependence on foreign sup time exported will not enable the importers plies. The prices incident to such a der to pay for the foreign manufacture impendence will always be high. ported. Whenever the two accounts shall be fairly stated, the balance against the Had not our nascent manufacturing es United States will be found to be many tablishments increased the quantity of millions of dollars. Such is the state of commodities at that time in demand, the things, that the change must be to the expenditures would have been much advantage of the United States. The pre- greater, and consequences the most fatal cious metals will be attracted to them; the and disastrous, alarming even in contemdiffusion of which, in a regular and uni-plation, would have been the fate of this form current, through the great arteries and veins of the body politic, will give to each member health and vigour.

In proportion as the commerce of the United States depends on agriculture and manufactures as a common basis, will it increase, and become independent of those revolutions and fluctuations which the ambition and jealousy of foreign governments are too apt to produce. Our navigation will be quickened; and, supported as it will be by internal resources, never before at the command of any nation, will advance to the extent of those resources.

uation.

A

The experience of the past teaches a lesson never to be forgotten, and points emphatically to the remedy. wise government should heed its admo nitions, or the independence of this nation will be exposed to the "shafts of fortune."

The committee keeping in view the in terests of the nation, cannot refrain from stating, that cotton fabrics imported from India, interfere not less with that encou ragement to which agriculture is justly entitled, than they do with that which ought reasonably to be accorded to the manufacturers of cotton wool. The raw New channels of trade to enterprise, no material of which they are made is the less important than productive, are open-growth of India, and of a quality inferior ing, which can be secured only by a wise to our own. and prudent policy, appreciating their ad vantages.

If want of foresight should neglect the cultivation and improvement of them, the opportune moment may be lost, perhaps for centuries, and the energies of the nation be thereby prevented from developing themselves, and from making the boon which is proffered our own.

The fabrics themselves, in point of du ration and use, are likewise inferior to the substantial fabrics of American manufac ture. Although the Indian cotton fabrics can be sold for a lower price than the American, yet the difference in the texture is so much in favour of the American, that the latter may be safely considered as the cheapest.

The distance of most of the Western | vinced that old practices and maxims will States from the ocean, the exuberant riches not be abandoned to favour the United of the soil, and the variety of its products, States. The foreign manufacturers and forcibly impress the mind of the committee merchants will put in requisition all the with a belief, that all these causes conspire powers of ingenuity, will practise whatto encourage manufacturers, and to give ever art can devise, and capital can accoman impetus and direction to such a dispo- | plish, to prevent the American mauufacsition. Although the Western States may turing establishments from taking root, be said to be in the gristle. in contempla- and flourishing in their rich and native tion of that destiny to which they are soil. By the allowance of bounties and hastening, yet the products of manufactures drawbacks, the foreign manufacturers and in these states are beyond every calculation merchants will be furnished with additional that could reasonably be made; contrary means of carrying on the conflict, and of to the opinion of many enlightened and ensuring success. The American manuvirtuous men, who have supposed that the facturers have good reason for their appre. inducements of agriculture, and the su-hensions; they have much at stake. They perior advantages of that life, would suppress any disposition to that sort of industry. But theories, how ingeniously soever they may be constructed, how much soever they may be made to conform to the laws of symmetry and beauty, are no sooner brought into conflict with facts than they fall into ruins. In viewing their fragments, the mind is irresistibly led to render the homage due to the genius and taste of the The foreign manufacturers and merarchitects, but cannot refrain from regret- chants know this, and will double with ting the waste, to no purpose, of superior renovated zeal the stroke to prostrate them. intellects. The Western States prove the They also know, that should the American fallacy of such theories; they appear in manufacturing establishments fall, their their growth and expansion to be in ad-mouldering piles-the visible ruins of a vance of thought while the political legislative breath will warn all who economist is drawing their portraits, their tread in the same footsteps, of the doom, features change and enlarge with such ra- the inevitable destiny, of their establishpidity, that his pencil in vain endeavours ments. to catch their expressions, and to fix their physiognomy.

have a large capital employed, and are feelingly alive for its fate. Should the national government not afford them protection, the dangers which invest and threater them will destroy all their hopes, and will close prospects of utility to their country. A reasonable encouragement will sustain and keep them erect; but if they fall, they fall never to rise again.

The national government, in viewing the disastrous effects of a short-sighted It is to their advantage to manufacture; policy, may relent; but what will relentbecause, by decreasing the bulk of the ar-ing avail? Can it raise the dead to life? ticles, they at the same time increase their value by labour, bring them to market with less expense, and with the certainty of obtaining the best prices.

Can it give, for injuries inflicted, the repation that is due? Industry, in every ramification of society, will feel the shock, and generations will, as they succeed each Those States, understanding their inte- other, feel the effects of its undulations. rest, will not be diverted from its pursuit. Dissatisfaction will be visible every where, In the encouragement of manufactures, and the lost confidence and affections of they find a stimulus for agriculture. The the citizens will not be the least of the manufacturers of cotton, in making appli-evils the government will have to deplore. cation to the national government for encouragement, have been induced to do so for many reasons. They know that their establishments are new, and in their infancy; and they have to encounter a competition with' foreign establishments, that have arrived at maturity, that are supported by a large capital, and that have from the government every protection that can be required.

But should the national government, pursuing an enlightened and liberal policy, sustain and foster the manufacturing es tablishments, a few years would place them in a condition to bid defiance to foreign competition, and would enable them to increase the industry, wealth, and pros perity of the nation; and to afford to government, in times of difficulty and distress, whatever it may require to support the public credit, while maintaining the rights of the nation.

The American manufacturers expect to meet with all the embarrassments which a zealous and monopolizing policy can sug. Providence, in bountifully placing within gest. The committee are sensible of the our reach whatever can minister to happi-, force of such considerations: they are con-ness and comfort, indicates plainly to us

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