NATURAL. HISTORY. 
to lay before the Society, in 2 poft- 
{cript to this account, the material 
parts of its contents, in the Major’s 
own words. 
As foon as the Committee were 
convinced that the intelligence of 
Major Houghton’s death was but 
too well founded, they took the firft 
opportunity that prefented itfelf of 
engaging another perfon to go the 
fame route. Mr. Mungo Park, a 
native of Scotland, a young man of 
no mean talents, who had been edu- 
cated in the medical line, and was 
lately returned from a voyage to In- 
dia, offered himfelf for this fervice ; 
and the committee, finding him fuf- 
ficiently inftructed in the ufe of 
Hadley’s quadrant to make the ne- 
ceflary obfervations, geographer e- 
nough to trace out his path in the 
- wildernefs, and not unacquainted 
with natural hiftory, accepted his 
offer, 
He fet out accordingly in May, 
1795, and foon afterwards arrived 
at the Gambia, when Dr. Laidley, 
to whofe good offices the Affociation 
are under the greateft obligations, 
received him more as a fon than a 
ftranger: and itis to be lamented 
that the river Gambia having been 
for more than a year blocked up by 
French privateers, many letters 
from him and the Doétor, of which 
notice has been obtained through 
various channels, have mifcarried ; 
in particular, the difpatches by a 
veffel called the Endeavour, which 
was captured on her paflage home ; 
but the crew making their efcape 
in the long-boat in the night, have 
given advice that there were letters 
on board to the Affociation, both 
from Mr. Park and Dr. Laidley. 
In another cafe, it is known that 
the difpatches were thrown over- 
board. The only letters of confe- 
~ Von. XX¥XIX. 
Ao 
quence which the Committee have 
received, are, one from Mr. Park, 
dated Pifania, 1ft December, 17955 
and two from Dr. Laidley to Mr. 
James Willis (the intended conful 
to Senegambia) communicated by 
him to the Committee, the one dat- 
ed the 23d of May, and the other 
the 1ft of Auguft, 1796. From 
thefe communications the fubfcrib- 
ers will perceive, that well-ground- 
ed hopes may be entertained that 
the views of the Affociation will, in 
a great degree, be f{peedily accom- 
plifhed. Should Mr. Park have 
happily efcaped the dangers inci- 
dent to the undertaking and the 
climate, his returri may be daily 
expected ; and the knowledge he 
muft have acquired cannot but be 
highly interefting and important. 
The following are Copies of thofe Letters. 
‘ Pifania, Dec. 1, 1795. 
* Gentlemen, 
YOU need not be furprifed at 
my long ftay in Gambia, for, I af- 
fure you that this is the firft oppor- 
tunity that has prefented itfelf fince 
my arrival; and it happens very 
fortunately for me, as I am now 
greatly recovered from a long and 
painful ficknefs, that confined me 
to the houfe, or bed, during the 
greater part of the rains. 
‘ As Mr. Willis is not yet arriv- 
ed, I muft have loft the travelling- 
feafon for this year, had not Dr. 
Laidley, who has, on every occafion, 
feconded the laudable defigns of the 
Affociation, given me every affift- 
ance in his power, and provided me 
with two attendants, an horfe, two 
affés, and every thing neceflary for 
the journey. 
‘ One of my attendants is a refi- 
dent of the place; he {peaks good 
Cec Englith ; 
