"The History of Abon Becr Sadika, known in Jamaica by the name of Edward Donlan.

'My name is Abon Becr Sadiką, born in Timbuctoo, and brought up in Geneh. I acquired the knowledge of the Alcoran in the country of Gounah, in which country there are many teachers for young people: they are not of one country, but come from different parts, and are brought there to dwell for their instruction. The names of the different masters in the country called Gounah are Aboudoulaki, a son of Ali Aga; Mohamet Wadiwahoo; Mohamet Ali Mustaphi; Ibrahim, son of Yussuf, a native; and Ibrahim, son of Abou Hassan, from Footatoroo. The whole of these masters are in our school, and under the direction of a head master, the son of Ali Aga Mahomed Tuffosere. My father's name is Kara-Mousa, Scheriff, (the interpretation of which is, of a noble family.") The names of my father's brothers are Aderiza, Abdriman, Mahomet, and Abon Becr. Their father, my grandfather, lived in the country of Timbuctoo and Geneh: some say he was the son of Ibrahim, the founder of my race in the country of Geneh.

"And it came to pass, after the death of my grandfather, jealousy arose among the sons and the rest of the family, which scattered them into the different parts of Soudan. Aderiza went to the country of Marsina, where he dwelt a little time: after that he went over the river and dwelt in Geneh: he married a daughter of Maroulhaide Abon Becr, for his wife. Abdriman went to the country of Cong, and married the daughter of Samer Ali, the lord of that country, where dwelt his wife. Mahomet went to the country of Gounah, and married the daughter of the king of Gounah. Abon Becr remained in the country of Timbuctoo along with the rest of the family who were not yet married. My father was always travelling to the country of Cassina and Bournoo, where he married and returned with my mother to Timbuctoo. After two years elapsed, my father then thought upon his brothers, whom he re

pented having parted with, which grieved him exceedingly, and he desired his servants to prepare themselves to go along with him to see how and where they were. The servants obeyed, and, accordingly, went with him to Geneh, from there to Cong, and from there to Gounah, where they stopped; and the servants there gathered a quantity of gold for their master; for there is a great deal of gold in that country, from the wilderness down to the river-side, also from the rocks. They are obliged to break the stones to dust, and put them into a vessel of water, when all the gold will sink down separate, the dust will float, and the gold will remain in the vessel; and then they purify the same, and make it ready for use. The money they make use of is a shell called Jagago: they are in the habit of bartering goods for goods, according to prices. In this said country (Gounah) my father gathered a large quantity of gold and silver, some of which he sent to his father-inlaw: he also sent horses, mules, and rich silks, from Egypt, as presents for Ali Aga Mahomad Tassere, my grandfather, in the country of Bournoo and Cassina. My father afterwards took the bad fever, which was the cause of his death in Gounah, where he was buried. At this time I was a child, and knew nothing then; but some of my old relations told me all about the life of my departed father. My uncles, after the death of my father, returned to their different countries, and only left my uncle, named Mahomet, at Gounah, where he dwelt.

"And it came to happen, about five years after the death of my father, I got the consent of my teacher to go to the country of Gounah, to see the grave of my father. Whereupon he said to me, that, with the blessing of God, he would accompany me. He then prepared proper provision for our journey, and took along with us many of his eldest scholars to bear us company. We departed, and, after long fatigue, we arrived at Cong; from there we went to Gounah, and stopped there for about two years, as we considered the place a

home, having much property therein. After a lapse of two years, my master took it into his mind to travel to Agi. In the mean time he made inquiries of different people who had travelled in that country; and some of them told him that Mohained Cassina and Adama Anina, his brothers, were then going to that country. He then asked his informant where those people were to be found: they told him that they were already gone, except Adama, who was now preparing to go. My master then set out, and left us with my uncle Mohamad in Gounah, until he returned. In the mean time, we heard that Abdengara, king of Buntuco, having slain Iffoa, the king of Bandara, in battle, also wanted to kill Cudjoe, the captain of an adjoining district. Abdengara sent to inform Cudjoe that, if he would pay him such a quantity of gold as he required for a ransom, he would be content. Cudjoe then sent much gold to him, which he refused. He said to the messenger, "Return to thy master, and tell him, that, if he do not send two hundred pieces of gold, I will not be satisfied, and my sword shall take off his head." When this messenger returned to his lord, and related the message he received, Cudjoe took away the ransom and kept it, and sent a message to the king of Gounah relating the transaction. When Abdengara came to hear of Cudjoe sending to inform the king of Gounah of his doings, he became wrath, and ordered all his army to battle against Cudjoe. And when the king of Gounah heard that Abdengara had come in with his army to fight him, he then called all his men to meet the enemy in the country of Bolo, where they commenced fighting from the middle of the day until night. After that they went to their different camps: seven days after that they gathered up again, and commenced the war in the town Anacco, where they fought exceedingly, and there were many lives lost on both sides; but Abdengara's army, being stronger than the king of Gounah's, took possession of the town. Some of Gounah's people were obliged to fly to Cong, and on that very day they made

me a captive. As soon as I was made prisoner, they stripped me, and tied me with a cord, and gave me a heavy load to carry, and led me into the country of Buntocoo,-from thence to the town of Cumasy, where the king of Shantee reigned, whose name is Ashai,and from thence to Assicuma,-and from thence to Agimaca, which is the country of the Fantees; from thence to the town of Dago, by the sea-side (all the way on foot, and well loaded;) there they sold me to the Christians in that town-there one of the ship's captains purchased me, and delivered me over to one of his sailors: the boat immediately pushed off, and I was carried on board the ship. We were three months at sea before we arrived in Jamaica, which was the beginning of bondage.-I have none to thank but those that brought me here. But, praise be to God, who has every thing in his power to do as he thinks good, and no man can remove whatever burden he chooses to put on us. As he said, Nothing shall fall on us except what he shall ordain; he is our Lord, and let all that believe in him put their trust in him.' My parents' religion is of the Mussulman: they are all circumcised, and their devotions are five times a day; they fast in the month Ramadan; they give tribute according to the law; they are married to four wives, but the fifth is an abomination to them. They fight for their religion, and they travel to the Hedjaz (those that are capable.) They don't eat any meat except what they themselves kill. They do not drink wine nor spirits, as it is held an abomination so to do. They do not associate with any that worship idols, or profane the Lord's name, or do dishonour to their parents, or commit murder, or bear false witness, or who are covetous, proud, or boastful; for such faults are an abomination unto my religion. They are particularly careful in the education of their children, and in their behaviour, but I am lost to all these advantages: since my bondage I am become corrupt; and I now conclude by begging the Almighty God to lead me into the path that is pro

per for me, for he alone knows the secrets of my heart and what I am in need of.

"Kingston, Jamaica, Sept. 20, 1834."

"ABON BECR SADIKA.

The above was written in Arabic. The man speaks English well and correctly for a negro, but does not read or write it. I caused him to read the original, and translate it word by word; and, from the little knowledge I have of the spoken language, I can safely present you with this version of it as a literal translation. There are other letters of his, and some of his brethren, which I will send you in my next. The letter of the latter, addressed to me by some native Africans, who have obtained their liberty in this city, is written in English by one of them, and is an epistle which, I think, you will read with much interest. I am, my dear Sir, Yours, very truly,

The day after the proceedings described in my last letter took place, I received the following letter from a member of the House of Assembly-a gentleman generally esteemed for his abilities, as well as for his amiable disposition. The suggestion it offers is one that, I think, is deserving of attention; and it serves, moreover, to exhibit the private feelings of benevolence