336 
LIEUTENANT WEBB’s INSTRUCTIONS. 
weigh, and steamed into the river, first taking leave 
of Captain W. Allen, with a salute and three hearty 
cheers. Having crossed the dangerous bar, and reached 
the river for the purpose of communicating with the model farm ; and 
as you have volunteered for this service, I hereby appoint you to the 
temporary command of Her Majesty’s steamer ^ Wilberfovce and it 
is my direction that, as soon as your preparations shall be completed, 
you proceed to the Nun branch of the River Niger, and that you carry 
into effect the wishes of Her Majesty’s Government. As I have the 
fullest confidence in your zeal and discretion, I feel that I cannot do 
better than enclose copies of their Lordsliips’ letter to Captain Foote, 
together with Lord Stanley’s minute, strictly enjoining you to carry 
out the spirit of the views of their Lordships therein contained. I 
will only add, tliat it is of the utmost importance that you use every 
dispatch consistent with the safety of the vessel, in accomplishing the 
service intrusted to you; and that, although Lord Stanley permits 
you to communicate with Rahhah, it is only to be done under the 
most favourable circumstances. If, therefore, the slightest symptoms 
of sickness should break out among your European party, you are on 
no account to attempt it. In any case my opinion is, that it is not 
desirable to appear before Rabbah with a reduced complement of 
officers, and a black creAv ; as the natives, knowing the deadly effect 
which their climate has always had on us, will believe that it places 
them beyond the reach of 'white men, especially if any of your officers 
should be sick while there. You will observe also, that Lord Stan- 
ley, and the Lords of the Admiralty, are peremptory in commanding 
you not to go beyond Rabbah, nor to explore the river with Her 
Majesty’s vessel. 
‘‘ You have with you, what you consider a sufficient number of 
officers, and on their zeal and cordial co-operation I feel confident you 
may rely. At your strong instance I have appointed a third engi- 
neer, which I agree with you in thinking absolutely necessary. The 
Krumen are of your own selection; one of whom, Ym'riba George, 
the stoker, was promised his discharge when he should go up the 
river again. He also applied for it when I was at Rabbah, in the 
