RESPf:CTING MAJOR LAING. 499 
I shall examine with interest what it may be in my 
power to do towards fulfilling the wishes you express in 
favour of a traveller, who has executed an enterprise of 
the great importance of which, in its relation to science, 
and our intercourse with countries, hitherto, and even still, 
so imperfectly known, I fully appreciate, as the Minister 
of the Marine has done. 
Be pleased to accept, &c. 
Signed Martignac. 
Death of Major Laing. — Literal translation of a Letter 
written at St. Louis by a Moor of Timhuctoo, and ad- 
dressed to M, Jomard by M, Prosper Gerardin. 
St. Louis, 1828. 
Know that Chems, chief of the tribe of Darmancours, 
has told me that he has received a letter from Saleh, son 
of our Iman and of our Cheyhkh (at Tischit), relating to 
the christian who went to Gadames. From this town he 
went towards Touat, then he proceded towards the tribe 
of the Cheykh Moctar (chief of the Kountas, to the east 
of the kingdom of the Dowiches). In consideration of a 
thousand drachms of gold, the people of this tribe accompa- 
nied him to Timbuctoo, where they arrived after a journey 
which continued seven days ^ afterwards they left him. 
2k2 
