Expeditiofi into Central Africa. 



[April 



expedition may unveil, these views must be held in subservience to 

 the recollection that the unimpeded progress and absolute safety of 

 this one is of paramount importance as a guide, model, and induce- 

 ment to others : this, therefore, is ever to be kept in view, and first 

 considered in ail its undertakings, and any m ^asure obviously unsafe, 

 even thoagh its advantages, supposing it successful, should seem to 

 be many and eminent, ought to be carefully avoided. While our fail- 

 ure vv'onid by its effects on society here, necessarily damp our pros- 

 pects of future benefit, it is to be apprehended that it would also 

 have a disastrous influence on the natives to be visited. Even disas- 

 ter from natural causes might diminish the impression of European 

 sskiil and power ; and acting on the excited superstition of the sa- 

 vage miglit quench his desire for our intercourse ; and should it 

 arise from th^ rapacious ferocity of the native tribes it would erect a 

 more serious obstacle to future progress in their gratified appetite 

 for plunder and their jealousy of retaliation. These views should 

 inspire esp:>cial caution in regard to every proceeding, or even ver- 

 bal enquiry anung tribes where it is to be suspected that such la- 

 irientable incidents have already occurred. The impression of its 

 safe alvance and return, and of any benefits it may confer on those 

 whoni it visits, will unquestionably proceed far in advance of its pre- 

 sence, and necessarily subdue or weaken those obstacles which may 

 at present restrain its proceedings within regions where the Colo- 

 nial influence maybe in some respects considered as overlooking its 

 movements and watching for its safety. 



Our inquiries lead us to anticipate that the natives of the interior 

 districts adjoining this colony, are generally disposed to welcome 

 the approach of travellers, and to treat them respectfully, lest how- 

 ever the opportunity of easily acquiring by plunder what they ex- 

 ceedingly covet, should prove too tempting for their respect or cau- 

 tion, it is requisite that such an apprarent preparation to repel as- 

 sault should be preserved as may render it obviously perilous to the 

 assailants ; separation of the party must therefore be avoided when 

 holding intercourse with them, and if a division should be unavoid- 

 able, the main body must be kept in suflicient strength, and held in 

 readiness to aid the detachments or serve as refuge for them. It will 

 best accord with the object of the expedition, that not only every 

 reasonable probability of avoiding collision should be shunned, 

 but that all scenes and situations offering any likelihood of its oc- 

 currence, should be well examined before they are approached. 



It v.'ill be inconsistent with any beneficial result, that, in its pro- 

 gress outwards, the expedition should force its way through the 

 territory of any tribe disposed to resist it, if no persuasive means be 

 found of avail to overcome tlieir repugnance, the advance in that di- 

 rection must cease : it is only in case of the party being itself attack- 

 ed, or being beset by a force showing an obvious disposition to assail 

 v., and a determination to oppose its progress in any direction, or in 

 ca;;-e oi the defiles of a. terj-iiory being occupied and closed against its 



