LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
liii 
provide the means of conveying the party with their small 
cargo to the coast of Africa ; it was to be expected that the 
mission might be sent out immediately, or with very little 
delay. This indeed was an object of great importance, 
considering the advanced time of the year ; it being obvi- 
ous that if the expedition should be detained for any con- 
siderable time, it might have the effect of postponing the 
journey into the interior to the period of the rainy season, 
and thus perhaps, of rendering the whole plan abortive. 
Fully aware of this danger. Park was anxious and earnest 
in his endeavours to obtain the necessary orders from the 
several public departments. But, partly from unforeseen 
circumstances, and partly from official forms and the pres- 
sure of business deemed of greater importance^ he was 
destined to experience a long succession of delays ; which, 
though certainly unintentional, and perhaps in some degree 
unavoidable, were ultimately productive of very unfortu- 
nate results. Nor was it till after waiting two months, (a 
period of great uneasiness and mortification) that he re- 
ceived his official instructions: after which nearly another 
month elapsed before he could set sail from England. 
The instructions given to Park were communicated to 
him in a Letter addressed to him by the Secretary of State, 
in the following terms. 
Dotvning-street, 2d January, 1805» 
Sir, 
It being judged expedient that a small expedition 
should be sent into the interior of Africa, with a view to 
discover and ascertain whether any, and what commercial 
