The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-21 00:00:00

INTERIOR OF AFRICA.

The following is an extract of a letter from the ex-
pedition tinder Captains Clapperton and Pearce, to explore
the interior of Africa.

His Majesty's ship Rearm, off BAdagry,
" N0v.29,1825.
" We have just succeeded in obtaining permission, from the
King of Badsgry, to pass through his territories to Eyo, a friendly
nation, to whom he pays tribute, about nine days' journey to the
northward of him, to whose King a messenger has been de.
patched to giro notice of oar approach. Eyo is a commerci-1
nation of considerable consequence, being the channel of com-
munication between Iloussa and Soudan with the sea coast,
and, as it Is frequently traversed by Moorish traders from those
countries in the interior, I am uncommonly sanguine as to the
success of our object in penetrating to those countries. The dis-
tance to Howse. not including stoppages, Is about thirty.three
days, through Eyo ; from thence to Taps, $a friendly power to
the northward, is about nine days; thence to Nyffee, nine ;
Nyfl'ce, to the Great River, five ; and thence to lioussa, three
more, according to the estimate made by the King of Benin.
Mr. Dickson was sent from NYhydah, as we passed it on our way
to this place, to Abomey, to ask permission of the King of Da-
homey for a pass through his dominions; but as we have sue-
seeded in opening a road from hence, he has since been recalled,
and will follow us, unless any good fortune should get the better
of the jealous suspicion with which strangers have hitherto been
watched hi the Dahomians, who have always evinced the
strongest aversion to any thing like the present intercourse with
the interior.

" The path by flyo I look upon, on the other hand, as promis-
ing the most beneficial results to future enterprise and speculation.
if we an once clear the road for putting it in practice—it is the
most direct and the only communication at this moment along the
coast, and I feel, in pursuit of such an object. all the enthusiasm
I could desire to carry us through the undertaking. We land this
evenirg, and u soon as we can arrange our carriers, which will
take two or three days, we shall commehce our march towards Eyn.
On our arrival at that place we expect to be able to procure horses,
&c. there being none on the coast ; our first mode of conveyance
from the beach being by hammocks, carried by the natives, who
go along at the pace of nearly five knots an hour.
" The rain having ceased upwards of two months, we are in the
best season for commencing our operations, and I hope we shall
contrive to get housed well, towards Soudan, before they're-appear
on the coast. We are chiefly indebted to Mr. Ifoutson's informs.
tion and influence with the King of Racism for this opening from
the beach, the gentleman who was about to forward Belzoni front
Benin, where he had the misfortune to perish in the attempt. Mr.
Hutson has been extremely kind and attentive in forwarding the
present Mission. You will hear from us as we advance, and as a
man-of-war is ordered to keep up communication by calling fre-
quently at Badagry, 1 hope our opportunities will not be so rare as
I at first supposed. At this moment I can hardly explain to you how
much I feel ovejoyed at being on the eve of putting my foot on
shore. I never was better in my life, and when the niiud and body
go hand in hand, climate is of very little avail."