351 Expedition into Central Africa. 



" The latitude and longitude of eleven stations have been ascertained (as 

 per enclosure). 



" The geological characters of the country between Graafif-Reinet and this 

 station have been minutely investigated, and numerous specimens of rocks 

 have been collected. The heights of many of the mountains and hills, both 

 within and beyond the colony, amongst others the Compass Berg, have been 

 taken." 



(from a coreespokdent.)* 



" 2^th December. 

 "From letters addressed to Mr Chase,extracts of which he handed to us, we 

 were enabled in last Saturday's paper to give an account of the unprovoked 

 attack made by the Zulo chieftain Matsellikatz on a small Colonial party 

 headed by that indefatigable and undaunted traveller, Mr A. G. Bain, of 

 Graaf Keinet, between the rivers Seechecoolie and Meeritsaanie, in about Lat. 

 25* 30' and Long. 26° 30', who were out for the purpose of collecting wild ani- 

 mals for an American menagerie. We now insert, from the same source, ex- 

 tracts of a letter from Dr Smith, which give'some account of the progress of 

 the central expedition. 



« Lat. 28° 30', Long. 28° 30'.— A^ou. 6. 1834. 

 " All goes on well, and every day supplies mucii of interest. The Bamtu and 

 Backlogue are the two most powerful and interesting tribes which we have 

 met with ; all the individuals of both these hordes reside on the tops of moun- 

 tains, part fortified by nature, and part by art, and are so secure in their re- 

 treats, that they have set at defiance both the forces of Dingaan and Masala- 

 catzie. The latter, it is understood, has left the country towards Latakoo, 

 and has taken up his position on the. higher branches of the Vaal River, where 

 he is plundering and murdering in every direction, and from various occur- 

 rences which have lately come to our notice, it would not be justifiable for us 

 to approach him. We, therefore, intend to leave him to work his utter ruin, 

 which, in all probability, is close at hand. He has, from fear of John Bloem 

 and the Corannas, fled back to the country of Dingaan, who will now, having 

 him within a moderate distance, eventually overthrow him. 



" A party of Bastards were on a hunting expedition, about three weeks ago, 

 along the banks of the Vaal River, and whilst occupied in cutting up some 

 sea-cows which they had killed, were attacked by one of his commandoes with- 

 out any provocation, and lost all their waggons, and two or three of their 

 people. They shot a number of Caffres, and the chief of them informs me 

 that had not part of his fled, they would have been able to have beaten them 

 off". This act has excited the indignation of all the well-disposed people in 

 this direction, and they are actively engaged in assembling a force to revenge 

 it ; if they manage matters well, they will certainly destroy him — if not, he 

 will be more troublesome than ever. 



" To-morrow morning we proceed with the view of advancing a little farther 

 to the eastward, in order to get some idea of the character of the country to- 



» From n Cape of Good Hope newipaper, sent to us by Sir James MacGrigor. 



