XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 
great degree, to your judgment and discretion, after a due consideration of all 
the local circumstances that may present themselves, and the information you 
may be able to collect on the spot. 
It may be observed, however, that the occurrence of rapids, or of a cataract, 
impeding the navigation of the river, is not to be considered as a sufficient obstacle 
to the further prosecution of the attempt to discover its source. In the event of 
meeting with an obstacle of this kind, it will be necessary, in the first place, to 
look out for a safe and proper situation for mooring the Congo, and then to use 
all possible means, by trucks and other apparatus with which you will be fur- 
nished, to get the double boats, with one or both of the small ones, if necessary, 
to the upper part of the rapids: and having accomplished this, to divide the 
officers and crew between the Congo and the double boats, in such manner and 
in such proportions as you shall deem to be most expedient for the protection 
of the former, and the management of the latter in their further progress up 
the river; taking care that, whenever it may be necessary to detach the 
beats, the gentlemen to whom the scientific departments of the expedition have 
been assigned, shall always accompany them; in order that no opportu- 
nity may be omitted of examining and collecting specimens of the natural 
products of the country, through which the Zaire, or any of its larger branches, 
may flow. 
On your arrival in the river, you will endeavour to find out a suitable spot 
for transhipping such stores and provisions from the transport to the Congo as 
the latter may be able to take on board. The anchorage opposite the Tall T'rees 
is understood to be a safe and healthy spot ; but there are many reasons that 
would make it adviseable not to stop at a place so near the slave-trade stations 
of the Portuguese; and you cannot be too much on your guard against the 
agents of this nation, concerned in carrymg on that trade, whether they are 
white men or blacks; and as it is understood, that many vessels have been as 
high up as Embomma, a place of considerable trade, you may, should you find 
it practicable, carry up the transport to that place, or even to Benda, which is 
still higher, before you dismiss her down the river; in doing which, you will 
take care to provide her with such arms and ammunition as may be neces- 
sary, for her defence against any attack that may be made upon her by the 
canoes of the natives; cautioning the master to have no communication with 
them, but to make the best of his way down the river, and from thence to 
Spithead; and you will take this opportunity of sending home an account of 
your proceedings to the date of her departure. 
It is understood that, at Embomma, you will be likely to meet with natives 
who speak the English and Portuguese languages : and it is probable, that you 
