SARACOLETS, a Negro nation occupying the lands situated between the rivers of Senegal and Gambia. They are a laborious people, cultivate their lands with care, are plentifully supplied with all the necessaries of life, and inhabit handsome and well built villages; their houses, of a circular form, are for the most part terra-
colets, ced; the others are covered with reeds as at Senegal; they are inclosed with a mud wall a foot thick, and the villages are surrounded with one of stone and earth of double that solidity. There are several gates, which are guarded at night for fear of a surprise. This nation is remarkably brave, and it is very uncommon to find a Saracolet slave. They always defend themselves with advantage against their assailants. Such Saracolets as are exposed to sale may be safely purchased, for (excepting when they are at war with the Poules) none are to be met with but such as have been condemned by the laws for some misdemeanour; in such case, these wretches could not escape slavery even by taking refuge in their own country; for they would be restored to their masters, or would be put to death, if the convoy should have failed. The religious principles of this people are nearly allied to Mahometanism, and still more to natural religion. They acknowledge one God; and believe that those who steal, or are guilty of any crime, are eternally punished. They admit a plurality of wives, and believe their souls to be immortal like their own. They think lightly of adultery; for as they allow themselves several wives, they are not so unjust as to punish women who distribute their favours among several gallants; a mutual exchange is then permitted, one woman may be bartered for another, unless she be free, or a native of the country. In this last case, the French custom prevails; it is winked at, although the laws are particularly severe against the violation of the most sacred of all property. This nation lies near that of the Poules. (See that article, Suppl.) Its extent up the country is unknown; all that we know is, that it is governed by four powerful princes, all bearing the name of Fouquet. The least considerable, according to the testimony of the Saracolets, is that of Tuago, who can assemble thirty thousand horse, and whose subjects occupy a territory two hundred leagues in extent, as well on the Senegal as on the track that reaches beyond the Felou; a rock which, according to the same report, forms cataracts, from whence proceed the Senegal and the river Gambia, equally considerable.