426 VARIOUS LETTERS discoveries in the interior of that country, has, it is said, been murdered by the Arabs, before he had proceeded any great distance from Mogodor, where he spent some time perfecting himself in the Arabic language. He was a promising young man, and an enthusiast in the cause in which he was lost, and supposed to understand the Arabic language better than any European who ever before entered Africa. At an early age he formed the plan of going to that country, and gave up his connections and a competency in Germany, to prosecute his intentions. His father was a character well known in Europe, who raised himself from obscurity to the greatest celebrity by his talent for mechanics. He was at one time worth a million, but was ruined by the French revolution.

Thefollowing Letter from James Willis Esq. late Consul to Senigambia, is extracted from the Gentlemans Magazinefor May 1812.

COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE WITH AFRICA.

May 5. 1812. At a time when our ancient rivals and enemies are exerting all their powers to destroy the British commerce, and have nearly effected their gigantic schemes of cutting off all communication between Great Britain and the various ports, states, and kingdoms of Europe ; at such a time when we are in imminent danger of losing the markets of a quarter of the globe, it becomes