ON AFRICA* 437 muselmen merchants had amassed considerable fortunes at Timbuctoo, and were on their journey to Fas, their native place ; but in consequence of a civil war at that time raging throughout West Barbary, particularly in the province of Hah a, through which it was indispensable that they should pass, on their way to Fas, they sojourned with me two months ; after which they departed for Fas with a caravan.

These intelligent Moors gave me much information respecting Timbuctoo, and the interior countries where they had resided ; they sold me many articles of Sudanic manufacture, among which were three pieces of ne cotton cloth, manufactured at Timbuctoo, and some ornaments of pure gold in or molu, of exquisite workmanship, of the manufacture of Jinnie ; one of these pieces of Timbuctoo manufacture, of cotton interwoven with silk, of a square blue-and-white pattern, dyed with indigo of Timbuctoo, I had the honour to present to the British Museum, in April, 179t) where it is now deposited.

I have been led into this digression from certain insinuations that have been *" insidiously propagated, reflecting on the accuracy of my statements respecting the interior of Africa ; ** This piece of cloth, about two yards wide and five long, I had the honour of offering to Sir Joseph Banks, who declined receiving it ; but at the same time suggested that it was a manufacture deserving public notice, and would be considered an acceptable present by the British Museum.

' See my letter to the editor of the Monthly Magazine, for March, 1817, page 125.

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