and Mr' Maxwell respecting the Congo and the Niger. 107 
as that which Mr Park received on the banks of the Niger, viz. 
that it was believed to come from the world’s end. It is Mr 
Maxwell’s opinion, that Leyland’s or Molyneux’s Islands at 
Embomma, either of which might be rendered almost as strong 
as Gibraltar at a small expence, would be the finest spots imagi- 
nable for establishing an extensive communication with the in- 
terior of Africa Mr Maxwell adds, that if Mr Keir’s idea 
of the Congo being the outlet of the Niger, prove correct, we 
may consider it as an opening designed by Providence for ex- 
ploring those vast regions “ where the sun shines, and seasons 
team in vain and for humanizing the wretched natives, by 
affording ample scope for the enthusiasm of the naturalist, mer- 
chant, and missionary. 
It was formerly observed, that Mr Park saw these letters, 
and carried them with him to London, to shew to his patrons. 
The following letter, therefore, from Mr Park, while in London, 
to Mr Maxwell, which I shall give verbatim, will shew the im- 
pression which the communication had made on the minds of 
the Association. 
“ Dear Sir, London, October 3. 1804 
I shewed your chart of the Congo to Lord Camden, Secre- 
tary of State, and he is very desirous to obtain further informa- 
tion respecting that river. I have therefore troubled you with 
this, and request that you will have the goodness to favour me 
with some information on the following particulars : 1st, Do 
you recollect the names of any of the inland kingdoms from 
which the slaves are brought down to the Congo for sale ? 2d, 
* The situation, indeed, of these islands, must appear to any one who examines 
the chart, very “commanding. The Congo, for 150 miles up, may be divided into 
three portions. 1st, A united stream 1^ miles wide, from the height to which 
Mr Maxwell’s boat went, down to Embomma, comprehending a distance of 70 
miles. 2dly, A remarkably divided and beautifully diversified stream, 20 miles 
wide, running among innumerable islands from Embomma to Chimquesa, com- 
prehending a distance of 40 miles. And, 3dly, A united stream again, formed of 
all those scattered streams 40 miles long, and gradually increasing from 3 miles 
to 6 miles, between Chimquesa and the sea. Now, it is at the mouth of the high- 
est of these united streams, and before it divides among the innumerable islands, 
that Leyland’s and Molyneux’s Islands are situated : in other words, they are the 
two uppermost of these islands, which stand directly in the mouth of the stream 
from above, and consequently command the whole of the communication which 
may be carried on with the interior. 
