Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-17
lFRoM THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. I
LXHEDIIION 10 THE NLl.ER

FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN REyIEwl
EAPEDIIJON TO THE NIGER
The public has already been informed of the
total failure OF the late expeditions, fitted out
by the British government, TO explore the in
terror OF Africa. The following letters throw
some light ON the subject, particularly res
pecting The expedition intended for tile Niger
Ihey were sent from Senegal to William s.
Shaw, Esq. of Boston, by whose politeness we
are allowed to publish them.
Senegal September 5, 1917.
DEAR SIR-FIndlng nothing here now wor.
thy OF your acceptance, and thinking an ac-
count of The English expedition Intended for
the Interior would be interesting, | reqnested
French friend of mine, who was some time
with Captain Campbell about the coast last
year, before the expedition started and was ar
Sierra Leone when ii returned, TO give me am
account OF particulars. 1 am not certain that
entire confidence can be placed in his account.
though lie had every means Of being rightly
informed: 1T seems the expedition started
from the banks of the Rio Nunez in February.
that they proceeded about hundred and ffty
miles, when the chief of the country prevented
their proceeding farther, under some feigned
pretezt. After stepping there about four
months, and all the animals having died and
seeing no prospect of being allowed to pro-
coed, Captain Campbell determined on endea.
voring 10 regain the Rio Nunez, that he might
save from piliage and total loss such articles of
Valne as remained. He died in two days after
arriving at the point lie started from and was
buried by the side of his friend Major Peddie.
The circumstances attending the loss of off.
GERS were somewhat singular. Major Pcddie
and Captain MRea died before they began
their march Captain Campbell and a Mons
Conner, a French naturalist who was will, him
died after their return, aud they were all buri.
ed near each other. Though the loss was
great IN ohcerS, IT was small OF the part Of the
men--two only were LOST on the Journey one
of whom was drowned. OF over two hundred
animals which they took with them three ONLY
thlnk, arrived again on tie bank of the Rio
NuHez. The persons composing tile expedi.
uOn are now at Sierra Leone, and mediate
dnother attempt. Lieutenant Stocko, Of the
navy, is now the senior officer. He was on the
lakes ai,acbedt TO Sir James YcO but was made
prisoner, aud was since then in our back conn.
tfy. He IS gone with ;bree men to visit a pow
eliul Chief at Peembo, 10 endeavor TO secure
MS protection. If lie succeeds, another at
tempt viii be made, bnt under the most unfa-
gofdOie circumstances, as most of the men are
discouraged.
The following is translation of a letter con.
tanning the french account aforementioned,
Senegal, September :, ISI7
DEAR SIR will endeayor 10 CRAFTY Won
with statement Of the facts, which 1 have
been able to collect, during my stay aeSierra
Leone, concerning the unfortunate expedition
10 the Niger On the death Of Major Pebble.
Captain Campbell succeeded 10 the command
lie lclt the desire, he had always cherished, of
tracing ~ his route the course of the Gambia
ana OF determining the geographical position
FNhitos AAN ltsOlNtU ~ ldkS n more
easiefly direction, which obliged him to pass
through rugged and dangerous tract of conn
try-d circumstance very nufavorable 10 the
success of the undertaking. The company
leit Max undy on the first of February. The
baggage was so great an iucumbrance, ~ that
time, that the fine Arabian horses which
we're designed for the use Of the officers, we're
necessarily employed in transporting it. The
MnoIe company began their march on foot.
This measure was tile more unfortunate as The
health of the officers suffered from it severely,
ana II proved fatal to the horses, which, little
accustomed to support so great burdens, sunk
unoer the fatigue. In the mean time, the com
pdny arrived, after painful march Of about
~ DAYS. al the Yillane of PaniaIIa al the dis.