An account of the city was given by Robert Norris in 1789: Sabee, at that period the metropolis of the kingdom, the residence of their monarch, and seat of their commerce, was more than four miles in circumference.

The factory houses of the European traders were spacious and airy, distributed into convenient apartments, and surrounded on the outside with a large gallery opening into balconies.

The town swarmed with people, insomuch, that it was impossible to pass through the streets without great difficulty.

Markets were held every day, at which were exposed to sale all sorts of merchandizes, European and African, besides abundance of provisions of every kind.

[2][3]There were British, French, Dutch and Portuguese factories in the city, adjacent to the Royal Palace.