CAILLIE AND II I S TRAVELS. 487 
Now, Sir, these are the very expressions which form 
the subject of your appeal: "lie (M. A. Cailhe) is the 
only European who has hitherto succeeded in happily 
accomplishing an enterprize in which so many brave tra- 
vellers have fallen." 
You see. Sir, that the matter in question is the for- 
tunate return of the traveller to his country, and not the 
discovery of Timbuctoo. The merit of having first 
visited that city is not ascribed to him. Thus, after the 
death of Dr. Oudney, his more fortunate companions, 
Clapperton and Denham, again reached their native land : 
it might then be said, on their return to England, that 
they were the first Europeans who had come back from 
Bornou, and brought this enterprise to a successful termi- 
nation, and that without detractin^^ in the least from the 
Doctor's wreath of glory. You will then do justice. Sir, 
I make no doubt, not only to me, but to M. Delaporte, 
Vice-Consul of France ; and you will have no difficulty in 
acknowledging, that no one has had any intention of 
depriving your countrymen of the honour due to them. 
1 take credit to myself for having contributed to establish 
it as a principle in the Geographical Society, that tra- 
vellers of all nations are equally entitled to its attention, 
that its rewards belong to all, whatever may be their 
nation ; in short, that there is no distinction in the feelings 
of this Society towards foreigners and denizens. 
Permit me, Sir, to deplore with yourself the sad event 
related in your letter^ however, several circumstances 
