470 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING 
Extract of a Letter from M. Caillie to M, Jomard. 
Lazaretto at Toulon, Octobor 10th, 1828. 
Sir, 
My zeal for geographical discoveries induced me 
to undertake, in 1827, a journey into the interior of Africa, 
to visit the city of Timbuctoo, the object of anxious re- 
search to Europe, and vrhich has proved fatal to so many 
illustrious travellers. Being unable to obtain a mission 
from the French Government of the Senegal, I determined 
to undertake the journey vrith my private resources : for 
this purpose then I realized all my effects and made prepa- 
rations for my expedition. 
On the 1 9th of April 1827, 1 quitted Kakondy upon the 
Rio-Nunez, in company vrith Mandingo merchants going 
to the Niger : the Arab costume and the religion of the Pro- 
phet, which I adopted, smoothed all difficulties ; I traversed 
without obstacle the elevated mountains of the Fouta-Dhia- 
lon, the Kankan and the Ouassoulo. I resided five months 
at Time on account of severe illness. This village is in- 
habited by Mahometan Mandingoes ; and is situated in 
the southern part of the Bambara. Early in January 1828, 
I continued my route ; I visited the island and town of 
Jenne, and embarked on the Niger for Timbuctoo, where 
I arrived after a difficult navigation of a month : I resided in 
that town fourteen days, acquired all the information in my 
power respecting it; studied the manners and customs 
of the inhabitants, and the commerce and resources of the 
country ; and thence travelled northwards to accomplish 
