488 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING 
appear still to leave some small room for doubt ; I hope 
my incredulity may be justified by the event. But, if 
the catastrophe is certain, it is yet devoutly to be vrished 
that the journal of his travels may be recovered, or that 
his servant may be able to furnish some information that 
can be depended upon ; also, that the curious documents, 
Avhich you mention as being in your possession, may be 
published as soon as possible. We shall soon, I hope, be 
favoured with the documents brought home by Clapper- 
ton's servant, Lander, and I shall not then be behind-hand 
in appreciating the merit of this new victim to the cause 
of science. Allow me here. Sir, to add one remark : had 
it devolved upon me to make a catalogue of the Europeans 
who have reached the city of Timbuctoo, I should not 
have overlooked several individuals who appear to have 
visited it ; I should even probably have mentioned Robert 
Adams, though his travels have been called in question, 
and opinions, as you know, are still divided upon them. 
Neither would M. Delaporte have failed to cite them, had 
this been his object : but his intention was simply to 
announce the fortunate return of the traveller, after 
having crossed the Great Desert ; a happiness neither 
reserved for Hornemann, Park, Oudney, the unfortunate 
Laing, nor for so many other lamented victims. 
It only remains for me, Sir^ to congratulate myself 
on the opportunity you have afforded me for expressing 
my real sentiments as to what should constitute the object 
of all geographical discoveries, that is to say, usefulness 
and the increase of human happiness. I am equally gra- 
