June 25, I860.] CONSUL PETHERICK'S LETTER TO THE SOCIETY. 225 



with the setting in of the north wind, I should be in a position to 

 navigate the unknown Upper Nile ; and during the same season — 

 I should hope to arrive at its extreme navigable point, where it 

 would be necessary, in order to keep up my communications, to 

 establish a station. 



During the rainy season, if the course of the stream continued 

 from the south, the prevailing south wind would prevent farther 

 navigation during the inundation ; but if it proceeded from the 

 west or east — which latter 1 think probable — it might offer no 

 impediment to the sailing of my boat, and I might continue my 

 explorations. 



Should the stream continue running from a northerly direction, 

 the heavy rains would, I fear, prevent my following it by land imtil 

 September or October, 1862 ; and it would probably require the 

 whole of the ensuing dry season until February, 1863, to secure the 

 object of the Expedition, when, God willing, the flood would bring 

 me down the river to the cataracts of Gondokoro, and thence via 

 Khartum, home to England. 



Such an expedition would involve boats on the White Nile from 

 Khartum to Gondokoro ; one or two, probably a larger and a smaller 

 one, on the Upper Nile above the cataracts of Gondokoro ; and two 

 establishments — one above the said cataracts, and the other at the 

 extreme navigable point of the stream, in order to keep up my com- 

 munications for all necessary supplies. 



An undertaking to ensure the accomplishment of so glorious an 

 object, if put before the nation under the influential and powerful 

 patronage of the Eoyal Geographical Society, would, I would fain 

 hope, be eventually carried out ; and when it is considered that the 

 proposed expedition might be effected with the double object of 

 independent discovery and of rendering the assistance to Captains 

 Speke and Grant, by supplying them with provisions and transport 

 on their way down the Nile without any increased expense, I 

 believe that in consigning the proposition to the able hands of your 

 Lordship, the mystery that for ages has attached itself to the sources 

 of the Nile is doomed to give way before the powerful influence 

 and unflinching enterprise of Great Britain. 



Having placed my opinions before your Lordship, I have the 

 honour to subscribe myself 



Your Lordship's most humble and obedient servant, 



John Petherick, f.r.g.s. 

 The Right Hon. Lord Ashhurtooi, 

 President of the Boy at Geographical Society^ etc. 



