S50 INTERCOURSE WITH AFRICA.

should then have two routs to the grand emporium of central Africa : if one failed, the other would remain open for our countrymen to recover their property and to return by ; and thus, in establishing a commercial intercourse with the interior of Africa, through two routes, we should secure, at the same time, our retreat, by one of them, and not remain at the mercy of the barbarous king of Ashantee, or any other African potentate, who might be urged, from jealousy or avarice, to sacrifice our people, when once he had them in his power !