European Beginnings in West Africa 1454-1578 A Survey of the First Century of White Enterprise in West Africa, With Special Emphasis Upon The Rivalry of the Great Powers

Abstract

This book does not claim to be in any sense a comprehensive survey of the first century of white enterprise in West Africa. It is little more than an introduction to a vast subject, which so far has been practically ignored by most English students. One reason for so remarkable an omission in English colonial studies is undoubtedly the fact that material for the early story of West Africa is scarce, and one may search far and wide with little result. For one thing, a mass of valuable records was destroyed, when in I755 a serious earthquake shook Lisbon. Yet those, who combine patience with a genuine interest in the more elusive problems of the past, will find that the Portuguese empire in West Africa during the sixteenth century provides a study as enigmatic as it is fascinating. My own investigations incline me to believe that much relevant evidence, untouched and unknown, does exist, scattered and hidden in various European archives, and anyone, who cares to ransack the Torre do Tombo at Lisbon, will soon be handsomely rewarded. The story of white enterprise in Guinea, as presented here, has been reconstructed mainly from printed sources of information. Except for the Portuguese collections of documents, these are generally of only limited value. But I have used many MSS. in the British Museum and the Public Record Office, and of those. which I have examined. the records of the High Court of Admiralty have proved most fruitful. Perhaps I should say that. since writing this little monograph. the Admiralty records have Yield d me many new secrets, particularly about the organisation of the Portuguese empire in Guinea during the Sixteenth century. and the nature and surprising scope of Enghsh traffic La Guinea between IS 0 and 16I<;. 1 cannot let this book go to press without paying tribute to my teachers. It is difficult for me to express my debt to Dr. A.P Newton. Rhodes Professor in the University of London, who, after piloting me safely through undergraduate shoals, directed my attention to West Africa as a verdant field for research. His erudition and unfailing enthusiasm have been my constant supports. I am also under a deep obligation to Professor Edgar Prestage, who has generously assisted my investigation of Portuguese colonial enterprise; to Professor J. E. Todd, of Queen's University, Belfast, my present chief, who has given me both encouragement and opportunity in my research, and who read the Introduction; to Professor 1. G. Llubera, of Queen's University, Belfast, who read portions of the book; to Mr. F. H. Kingsland, B.Sc., who kindly drew the map for me; to the officials of the British Museum and of the Public Record Office ; and to all those, who in various ways have assisted me. Lastly, I am truly grateful to the Unjversity of London and to the Imperial Studies Committee, whose generous grants have alone enabled me to produce this work.