In addition to the settlements on the Gold Coast, the
English had formerly settlements also on the river Senegal,
out of which they had been driven by the French, who at
this time engrossed the whole gum trade from Cape
Blanco to the river Gambia, an extent of 500 miles;
The Dutch were the first who settled Senegal, and built
two forts. The French made themselves masters of them
in 1678. In 1692, the English seized them ; but next
year the French re-took them, and had kept them ever
since. They built Fort Louis on the Island of Senegal, or
St. Louis, the principal of several forts guarding the
entrance of the river ; a quadrangular fort with two bas-
tions, and of no inconsiderable strength at this time.
