Mr. John D'A. Dumaresq, Acting Administrator of Lagos, has made
a very useful discovery, having ascended the Whemi in a steamer named the Eko ' to a point within twenty miles of Abomey, the capital of Dahomey, with which we are supposed to be about to declare war. The river at its shallowest part was found to be twelve feet deep, and at its narrowest points 120 feet broad, the banks being lined with villages built on piles, in which, and on the huge cotton-trees, the natives live for security. The people were all friendly, and all more or less hostile to Dahomey, and the country productive to the last degree. If war actually arrives, an expedition up the Whemi might be of the greatest assistance to the main body, which, unfortunately, must still pro- ceed by land, through a horrible country, though only for a dis- tance of about sixty miles. The King shows no sign of yielding, and threatens to execute all his European prisoners, mostly Frenchmen.
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