Concerning the small kingdom of Jinbala I was not able to collect
much information. The soil is said to be remarkably fertile, and
the whole country so full of creeks and swamps that the Moors have
hitherto been baffled in every attempt to subdue it. The
inhabitants are negroes, and some of them are said to live in
considerable affluence, particularly those near the capital, which
is a resting-place for such merchants as transport goods from
Timbuctoo to the western parts of Africa.

To the southward of Jinbala is situated the negro kingdom of Gotto,
which is said to be of great extent. It was formerly divided into a
number of petty states, which were governed by their own chiefs; but
their private quarrels invited invasion from the neighbouring
kingdoms. At length a politic chief of the name of Moossee had
address enough to make them unite in hostilities against Bambarra;
and on this occasion he was unanimously chosen general--the
different chiefs consenting for a time to act under his command.
Moossee immediately despatched a fleet of canoes, loaded with
provisions, from the banks of the lake Dibbie up the Niger towards
Jenne, and with the whole of his army pushed forwards into Bambarra.
He arrived on the bank of the Niger opposite to Jenne before the
townspeople had the smallest intimation of his approach. His fleet
of canoes joined him the same day, and having landed the provisions,
he embarked part of his army, and in the night took Jenne by storm.
This event so terrified the king of Bambarra that he sent messengers
to sue for peace; and in order to obtain it consented to deliver to
Moossee a certain number of slaves every year, and return everything
that had been taken from the inhabitants of Gotto. Moossee, thus
triumphant, returned to Gotto, where he was declared king, and the