Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/192

 their associates. Those employed as artisans, weavers, potters, carpenters, builders, and the like, also for the most part enjoy a considerable share of practical freedom. They enjoy the fruits of their industry, may themselves possess slaves, and occasionally rise to important positions in the state. The agricultural labourers fare much worse, and the tribes that own the fewest slaves, as, for instance, the Toucouleurs, also display the greatest energy, contributing most to the social transformation of Senegambia. In the territory directly administered by France slavery has been abolished since 1848, and according to the law all captives setting

foot on this territory become ipso facto free men, although colonial usage connives at the frequent violation of this right.

The actual extent of this political domain is far from considerable. Half a century ago it was scarcely perceptible on the maps, and the establishment of a colonial state worthy of the name was not taken seriously in hand till comparatively recent times. M. Faidherbe, founder of the French power on the Senegal River, began his operations in 1854, by his personal influence and force of arms gradually establishing peace on a solid footing, converting the independent riverain chiefs into vassals, and abolishing all artificial obstructions to free trade in the interior. The fort of Medina, erected on the Senegal where it ceases to be navigable in the dry season, served as the starting-point of a series of expeditions to the upper valleys, and when a formidable Mohammedan army was shattered under the