152 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
habits of semi-barbarous chieftains and African desjjots^ I flattered 
myself that the mission of my wife and self^ both personally ac- 
quainted with Cameron, would prove successful. 
Not doubting that my proffer of services would be accepted, I 
selected as presents a variety of English firearms, including ele- 
phant rifles and ammunition, a couple of watches, amber mouth- 
pieces, a variety of Bohemian glass, and a shirt of mail. 
The treacherous behaviour of a friend, whose subsequent un- 
timely end no one can have greater cause to regret than myself, 
had, however, in the meantime unsuspectedly, and without the 
slightest provocation or foundation, so thoroughly poisoned the 
minds of authorities at home against me, that to my utter surprise, 
instead of any recognition of my offer to free Cameron, I received 
the following terse communication : 
“FOREIGN OFFICE, 
“ October Slst, 1863. 
“ SlE, 
“ As the public interests no longer require the retention 
of a British Consul at Khartoum, Her Majesty’s Government are 
of opinion that the time has arrived to abolish the post. 
I have accordingly to state to you that on and after the 1st 
of Eebruary next, your functions as Her Majesty’s Consul for 
the Soudan will be at an end. 
“You will, on the termination of your services under this 
Department, seal up and deliver to Her Majesty’s Agent and 
Consul-General at Alexandria the whole of your official archives. 
“ I am, &c., 
“ (Signed) EHSSELL.” 
My last effort for the relief of Consul Cameron, at the time 
when the Abyssinian war was in contemplation, was thus : 
