The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-26 00:00:00

MAJOR LEVESON TO LORD STANLEY.

The Ship Hotel, Charing-cross, July 18, 1867.
My Lord—ln April, 1865, I volunteered my
services for the purposes of negotiating the re-
lease of Captain Cameron and his companions,
but, other arrangements having been made
my offer was declined. More than two
years have now elai sed and the captives are still in
chains, all negotiations having been simply treated
with contempt. This result might have been prog-
nosticated, as an Armenian or Levantine was the
very last person to have been sent, those races being
distrusted and looked down upon by other nation-
alities in the East, on account of the general cha-
racter they bear for deceit and duplicity. At last,
wearied out with the fruitless attempts that
have hitherto been made to negotiate, the nation
at large seems to have determined that either
the captives shall be set free, by force if
necessary, or that Theodorus the King shall be
punished. The chances are that when hos-
tile means are commenced. the lives of all the
captives will be at once sacrificed, as the King, who
is said to be at the head of about 40,000 men at
Debra Tabor, would most likely immolate them out
of mere bravado. Nearly four months must elapse
before any troops can take the field so as to act
with efficiency ; and before any threatening or
hostile measures are carried into effect, I ask per-
mission of your lordship to be allowed to attempt
by mediation to rescue a brother officer and his
companions in trouble. I want no aid, and but very
little means ; all the risk is my own, and I will
cheerfully run it. Should I succeed, a great ex-
pense of life, treasure, and perhaps even pres-
tige, will be spared the country ; should I
fail, a single life is the only penalty that can
be exacted, and that will be paid without a regret :
"Le jeu vaut bien la chandelle." This is the worst
view of the case, but I hope and believe that, with
tact, the release of the captives might be arranged
before any troops were lauded at Massowah.
Under the present circumstances, now that a part
of his territory is in open revolt under different
leaders, King Theodorus may find it to his interest
to keep on friendly terms with this country. He
was once very partial to Englishmen, as F. lowden
and Bell were the most trusted friends and intimate
companions for many years, and I know the former
gentleman had a very high opinion of him, as some
years ago, he invited me to join him in Abys-
sinia for the purpose of hunting large game with the
King : and had I not been suffering from the effects
of severe wounds, I should have wandered over the
country simply for sport. Ido not anticipate much
danger to myself were I to go now. A fair Oriental
linguist, I have often travelled alone in Africa,
having made several expeditions quite as dangerous
as the one I now wish to undertake. lam accus-
tomed to a tropical climate, having returned three
times from the west coast of equitorial Africa,
besides having made long exploring trips ints the
interior from the east coast. I would make my
way via Massowah or Tajurah to the camp at De-
bra Tabor, and present myself to the King as the
friend of Plowden, and, like him, ready to serve his
interests. I would endeavour to persuade him to
send back Cameron and the other captives, offering
to remain myself in their stead. If your lordship
should see fit to entrust me with this mission. it
shall be carried out if possible. If, on the other
hand, it should be determined to commence hosti-
lities, I would still volunteer my services, as great
assistance could be rendered to an invading force by
creating diversions in different parts of the coun-
try. Several provinces are said to be in insurrec-
tion under different leaders at the present time,
and were a contingent of their followers armed
and organised they would spare our regular troops
much harassing work. The Arab tribes of Beth
Um'mr are now said to be holding their own
against the troops of Theodorus in the province of
Shire, whilst Menelik in Shoa, Tadla Gulaw in
Gojam, Waksham Gobezi in Tigre. and Tussoo
Gobezi in Samden, are in open revolt. Should the
troops of his Highness the Viceroy of Egypt take
any part in the campaign, I would again venture
to suggest that my services might be useful, as I
commanded some of them during the Russian
war, when on the staff of the Ottoman army.
Since then I have served as Colonial Sec-
retary and Lietenant-Governor of Lagos, where
I was superseded on account of a severe
wound received in an engagement with the natives,
and have taken part in the campaigns of Italy,
Denmark, America, and Austria.

I beg to forward a couple of my works upon ex-
ploring expeditions in different parts of the world,
to show that I am accustomed to similar adventures
and hard work ; and I have left with Mr. Wyld, of
the Foreign-office, a book full of certificates and
testimonials, given to me by different commanders
under whom I have served, any of whom will bear
testimony in my favour.
Should your lordships see fit to entertain my
proposal, I am ready to start at three hours' notice.
—I have, &c., _ _ _

11. A. LEVESON, Major,
Late Colonial Secretary, Lagos, West

Coast of Africa.

CHRISTMAS ORATORIOS.—The oratorio perform-
ances this Christmas by the National Choral Society, under
the direction of Mr. G. IV. Martin, have commenced at
Exeter Hall. Miss Palmer, Mr. Leigh Wilson, and Mr.
Santley will sing in "The Creation" on January 1, and in
"Elijah," January 8, Mr. Santley's only appearance in
these oratorios this Christmas. _ .

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.—Capt. Grant, a very
active member of the council of this society, has recently
returned from a tour through Canada and the United States,
and succeeded, at much trouble and expense, in obtaining
fur the society three splendid specimens of wild turkeys,
which have reached this country in perfect health. They
are magnificent birds, and amply repay Capt. Grant for
the difficulty ho underwent in procuring them, and the
society for the expense it incurred. He also brought with
him a number of small birds, among them beautiful speci-
mens of mocking birds, thrushes, bobaliuks, which,
though not coming strictly within the sphere of this society
are valuable in their way. He also procured a pair of the
musquash, which aro at present in the Zoological Gardens.
No ono but those who have tried the experiment can form
an idea of the difficulty a person has to contend with in
obtaining a particular quadruped or bird, and, when ob-
tained, in bringing it safely home; that difficulty cf.n be
overcome by perseverance and a determination to succeed
—and Captain Grant, to whom the thanks of the society
are due, has proved the truth of this assertion. A large
consignment of swans, white Guinea fowls, and pigeons,
is now being got together, and will leave this country for
the North of India early iu the ensuing month, and the
secretary has received notice of the transaction of a col-
lection of valuable birds from that country, which will
reach England in the spring, many of which it is hoped
may be acclimatised here.—Land and Water.