MR. HUTCHISON'S DIARY. 
411 
Monday 15. Baba, the chief of the Moors, having told me that 
a Moor was going to Jenne, I took the opportunity of writing a 
letter to two Europeans who reside there, and, I suppose, belonged 
to Mungo Park's expedition, seven soldiers being unaccounted 
for, who were in good health when they were separated from Mr. 
Park. There are also two white men at Timbuctoo, who have 
been there several years. The Moors are confident that the letter 
will reach them, which is much to be desired, as some informa- 
tion may be obtained of that celebrated traveller. Baba came, 
and the old Moor with him, to whom I delivered the letter; he. 
received it from Baba with much ceremony, and to induce him to 
forward an answer, I promised him a suitable reward*. The whole 
of the Moors came in a body with drums, muskets, horns, and all 
the attendant pomp of chiefs; they had just taken leave of the 
King, and came to do the same to me. Having remained about 
* ^' Mr. Wm. Hutchison, British Resident at Coomassie, the capital of Ashantee, hear- 
ing there are two Europeans at Jenne, takes the opportunity of a Moor returning to 
that place, to write to them. It is earnestly requested, that some information will be 
sent to Cape Coast Castle, whether or not, those, to whom this is addressed, belonged 
to the expedition of Captain Mungo Park, or by what means they reached Jenne. As 
no certain accounts have reached England of the fate of that gentleman and his compa- 
nions, any particulars will be interesting ; also, whether or not the Niger is the river 
known here by the name of QuoUa, Joliba, or any other appellation unknown in Europe. 
Also, its course, and the opinions among the natives as to its termination, with the 
names of any towns or countries it may run through. It is also reported that there are 
two white men at Timbuctoo : should it be possible to render any assistance to either, it 
will be done from Cape Coast Castle on accounts being received of the certainty of their 
situation ; and the means which may be found to make the Europeans on the Quolla re- 
visit their native country : in the mean time, any information will be anxiously ex- 
pected, as to the fate of their companions ; and whether they have heard of an Engli^ 
expedition, lately arrived at the Niger. Two notices in English and Arabic acoompaaj 
this, offering a reward for information. 
December 9th, 
