52 
THE EAST AFRICAN EXPEDITION. 
[Nov. 23, 1857. 
The trade in furs, we know, must exhaust the large and valuable animals ; and 
as the Indians are not an agricultural people, they are very likely to suffer. 
The tendency of the evidence is to show that they have deteriorated in con- 
sequence of the mode of management to which they have been subjected. I do 
not say this to complain of any persons, but to express my strong desire, that 
while this portion of our dominions continues to claim the attention of Govern- 
ment, as a country capable of supporting man, and of being turned to profit 
for the English nation, the aboriginal inhabitants may not be lost sight of. 
Sympathy is expressed in high quarters with regard to them, but it has been 
a barren sympathy. Up to the present time it has not in the slightest degree 
arrested their decline. I have had the opportunity of conversing with the 
Bishop of Rupert’s Land, and of corresponding with persons in that and the 
adjoining territories, and 1 know there are individuals who feel for these 
aboriginals. But the prevailing policy is decidedly hostile to their well-being, 
a fact which is greatly to be deplored. 
Mr. Nicolay. — Let me remind the meeting that Mr. Palliser is no novice 
in Indian life. He spent two years amongst the Missouri Indians, and this is 
not the first conversation he has had with the natives. Therefore we may 
conclude that this Report is substantially correct, though it may have verbal 
inaccuracies. 
The President. — I am glad Mr. Nicolay has pointed out the qualifications 
of Mr. Palliser for this undertaking. He is indeed thoroughly acquainted with 
the American Indians. Having been a successful buffalo hunter, accustomed 
to the Indian sports, and having mixed much with the natives, I have not the 
least doubt that we shall have to thank him eventually for great geographical 
results. 
The second Paper read was : — 
2. Notes from the Journal of the East African Expedition , under the 
command of Capt. Richard F. Burton. 
British Consulate, Zanzibar, 
22nd April, 1857. 
Sir, — I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Royal 
Geographical Society, a field-book, containing our route survey 
from Pangany to Fuga, our remarks upon the coast, and an account 
of our expedition up to date. 
On the 5th January, 1857, I intimated to you our intention of 
visiting the East African mainland. The death of the Imam of 
Muskat, H. H. Saggid Said, the undecided succession, and the 
troubled state of the interior, then suffering from famine, war, and 
drought, rendered a preparatory excursion advisable. We could 
obtain no useful information from the European merchants of 
Zanzibar, who are mostly ignorant of everything beyond the island. 
The Arabs and Sawahilis, who were adverse to, and fearful of, 
white travellers, did give us information, but it was worse than 
none. We had not heard from the Rev. Mr. Rebmann, who still 
remained at the Mission-house near Mombas ; and, finally, it was 
judged expedient to be seasoned by fever on the coast before at- 
tempting the far Unyamesi Lake. 
