106 REPORT — 1856. 



of 49 out of 145 whites, — a result which shook the confidence and deadened 



the energy of the most ardent philanthropists. In 1845 and 1846 Mr. J. Richardson 

 travelled from Tripoli to the northern parts of the Great Desert, visiting Ghadaraes, 

 Tuat, and Murziik, during which time he collected much information, both geo- 

 graphical and commercial, which may be found in his interesting volumes entitled 

 ' Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara.' On this gentleman's return to England he 

 made proposals to Government for an expedition on a more extended scale, for the 

 purpose of establishing commercial relations with the tribes across the Desert, and, 

 by the introduction of legitimate trade, of striking a blow at slavery. Accordingly, 

 he again set forth accompanied by Drs. Barth and Overweg, who started from 

 Tripoli for Sudan on the 30th of March, 1849. Mr. Richardson's strength was not 

 equal to the great fatigue and labour he had to undergo, and he died at Ungurutua, 

 in Bornu, on the 4th of March, 1851. His journal up to that date, full of instruct- 

 ive materials, has since been published under the care of Mr. Bayie St. John. His 

 companion. Dr. Overweg, also unable to withstand the baneful effects of climate, 

 expired in Bornii on the 27th of September, 1852 ; but Dr. Barth, composed proba- 

 bly of tougher materials, undismayed by the death of his associates, boldly continued 

 his solitary wanderings, and after a sojourn in Central Africa of upwards of five 

 years, happily returned in safety to England. He is now preparing for the press 

 an account of his most interesting journeys and discoveries ; and from some conver- 

 sations and correspondence I have had with him, I am looking forward with impatience 

 for the appearance of his work, as with such a fund of information and of novelties 

 as he possesses, he must be able to give the fullest and most accurate, as well as the 

 latest, account of Central Africa, from Timbuktu to Adamawa. The most recent 

 traveller in Nigritia is Dr. Vogel, who, bj' the last letters received from him, was 

 endeavouring to penetrate towards the kingdom of Wadai, and from whona numerous 

 important astronomical and other observations have been already transmitted. 



In 1852, Dr. Barth, whilst on the route to Yola, the capital of Adamawa, crossed 

 a large river called the Binue, just at its junction with a considerable affluent, the 

 Faro. This river he conjectured, from the information he received, to be the upper 

 portion of that hitherto known near its termination, to Europeans, as the Tsadda or 

 Tshadda, — a name which seems to have been given to it by Lander, in consequence 

 of a report he heard from a travelling Mallam, that it flowed from lake Tsad, — a 

 view now proved to be erroneous. Dr. Barth described this as a large river, and as 

 containing during the rainy season a large body of water, — fitted, therefore, for the 

 purposes of navigation. On hearing these accounts from Dr. Barth, Government 

 resolved to fit out a small expedition, to endeavour to ascend the so-called Tsadda, 

 and to ascertain its identity with the Binue. For this purpose a small iron screw 

 schooner was built by Mr. John Laird at Birkenhead, and fitted out and manned by 

 Mr. Macgregor Laird ; and as it had been agreed to combine the commercial element 

 with exploration, a suitable cargo was also provided. Government appointed certain 

 officers to proceed in this vessel for geographical, scientific, and other general 

 purposes. Careful and copious instructions were drawn out under the direction of 

 Sir Francis Beaufort, aided more especially by the scientific knowledge of Sir 

 Roderick Murchison, who took an especial interest in the progress of the expedition, 

 was one of its chief promoters, and who himself personally prepared a set of hints 

 on geologj' and mineralogy for the guidance of the officers. This expedition entered 

 the mouth of the Kwora or Niger on the 1 2th of July, 1854 ; and after remaining in 

 the river 120 days, again left without the loss of a single life, and without having 

 encountered any troublesome sickness. This almost unlooked-for exemption is to 

 be ascribed, first, to the employment of as few Europeans as possible ; secondly, to 

 ascending the river during the rainy season, and avoiding any delay in the Delta ; 

 and, thirdly, to the free use of quinine as a prophylactic or preventive. Nearly 700 

 miles of river were explored and surveyed, a chart was compiled, the capabilities of 

 the surrounding countries examined, and friendly relations were established with the 

 various tribes. 



The trade with Western Africa is much greater than is generally supposed, and 

 has for some years past been steadily on the increase. From 1846 to 1850, the 

 annual value of exports from Britain to the West Coast averaged ^554,000, and in 

 1854 amounted to upwards of j^958,000. The African races are, almost without 



