Jan. 11 , 1858 .] 
REPORTS FROM THE NIGER EXPEDITION. 
101 
all free men ; we have no chains amongst ns. We are free men, and want 
you to give up the slave-trade.” Now, although the Government of Portugal is 
very anxious to get slavery abolished, yet their officials out there may not have 
the same enlightened views. I have the fullest confidence in the King of Portu- 
gal, and that he would do anything in his power to put an end to slavery in all 
his dominions. Very excellent laws are made, but as soon as they get out there 
they are entirely inefficient. That is the case in a great many other instances. 
Take the carrier-system, for instance, in Angola. One law after another has 
been passed in Portugal putting an end to this system in Angola, but it goes 
on all the same as ever it did. I think it would be best for the success of 
the expedition to have it as simple as possible, and as few men in it as possible. 
If we have a great number of men we shall have a great number of tempers, 
and we are none of us perfect. A few men can always get on very much better 
than a large body of men. There are other considerations that induce me to 
think it would be better to have a limited party. This is a tentative expedition, 
sent out to get certain information. I came out of that country alone. I stated 
the impressions that were made upon my mind by what I saw. But before 
any decided action has taken place I should like to gain fuller information 
about the country. On that account I propose to take a practical mining 
geologist, who will be able to give a clear idea of the mineral resources of the 
country. I want, too, a practical botanist, not one who will run about after 
a new species of cryptogamia and things that we do not care to know about, 
but a man who is acquainted with the medicinal properties of plants. Several 
medicines go from the east of Africa to Bombay, and are thence brought in 
that roundabout way to England. I want a man who knows the medicines 
we now use, to see if they are to be found in that country, who understands 
about different fibrous substances used in commerce, and also the different 
dye-stuffs. I want this man to give a full account of the resources of the 
country. Then, if any action is taken, let it be taken on the full report of 
these scientific men. I think the men we now have will form a very compact 
body, and I hope we shall all keep our tempers, and come back with some valu- 
able information. 
The President. — Dr. Livingstone has very well explained the reasons for 
not having a mixed expedition, but has omitted to state that the British Go- 
vernment has decided that no person should be attached to the expedition but 
those with special scientific vocations. If three or more Portuguese gentle- 
men with their servants were to be added, all talking a separate language, the 
expedition would be much hampered. 
Mr. Montgomery Martin. — Has the sanction of the Portuguese Govern- 
ment been obtained to the expedition ? because we shall have to go through 
their territory. 
The President. — The communications of the Portuguese Government have 
been of the most friendly nature ; and through their minister here, the Count 
de Lavradio, who has already shown deep sympathy and interest in the 
cause, they have expressed their earnest desire to assist Dr. Livingstone. I 
may add, that Dr. Livingstone intended to visit Lisbon, notwithstanding the 
prevalence of the yellow fever, but that our Government restrained him on 
account of the risk to his own valuable life ; and even now, if the expedition 
be fitted out in time, Dr. Livingstone would willingly proceed by Lisbon, in 
order to wait upon the King, and show the perfect amity and good feeling 
that exists between the two governments in relation to this exploring journey. 
