CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6] — Page 543

b

541

" has existed to a considerable

extent, extortion has often been - "shamelessly practised; and Trade

#

" has been hampered by

#

an

unintelligent Customs system, bally administered. Under the

administration of French Officers

"

there is hope that the resources

#

the country will be opened up;

of

that the communications between

#

the coast and the interior will

be improved; that justice will be

#

more

#

equitably administered ; that

slavery will cease to exist; and

that

+

"that the benighted and degraded

#

natives, - feeble

feeble successors to the race that left the imposing ~

#1

Mion numente

of

their labour and

#1

" skill presented by the famous

A

ruins at Angeer and other places,

will be brought to an

appreciation

of the blessings of civilization and

education?

3.

Especially while I

my

hold my present post, it is duty to consider the probable. effect of the extension of the French dominion in this quarter

of