Chap. I. 



OFFICIAL TESTIMONY. 



17 



After the examination of three brandies by the able 

 and energetic surveyor, Francis Skead, B.N., the Kongone 

 was found to be the best entrance. The immense amount 

 of sand brought down by the Zambesi has in the course of 

 ages formed a sort of promontory, against which the long 

 swell of the Indian Ocean, beating during the prevailing 

 winds, has formed bars, which, acting against the waters 

 of the delta, may have led to their exit sideways. The 

 Kongone is one of these lateral branches, and the safest ; 

 inasmuch as the bar has nearly two fathoms on it at low 

 water, and the rise at spring tides is from twelve to fourteen 

 feet. The bar is narrow, the passage nearly straight, and, 

 were it buoyed and a beacon placed on Pearl Island, 

 would always be safe to a steamer. When the wind is from 

 the east or north, the bar is smooth; if from the south 

 and south-east, it has a heavy break on it, and is not to 

 be attempted in boats. A strong current setting to the east 

 when the tide is flowing, and to the west when ebbing, 

 may drag a boat or ship into the breakers. If one is 

 doubtful of his longitude and runs east, he will soon see the 

 land at Timbwe disappear away to the north; and coming* 



tablish a post at the bar of Luabo ; 

 and from there to carry on direct navi- 

 gation to this district. Should tliis 

 take place, great advantages will re- 

 sult to tliis country, and to Living- 

 stone's great glory, because he was 

 the first who passed over from the sea 

 by this way of communication. I 

 thank your Excellency for the news- 

 papers with which you furnished me. 

 I appreciate them as articles which 

 very seldom appear here. Your Ex- 

 cellency also obliged me with some 

 seeds; but, unfortunately, I was at 

 Mosambique, and having planted them 



this year, they produced little ; I fear 

 they were already old. My capability 

 for service is very limited, but if your 

 Excellency thinks that I can be of any 

 use, I shall be most gratified. 

 ' I have, &c, 



' Tito A. d'A. Sicard, 



Governor of Tette. 

 • Tette, July 9, 1859.* 



" These letters were brought to Natal 

 by H.M.'s brig ' Persian,' which had 

 called there from Mosambique for 

 supplies, and were put on board the 

 ' Waldeusian,' as she steamed out." 



C 



