The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-17
AFRICAN DISCOVERIES.

ton, X. N. ana the latc LIT. ouuHey, an dC-
count of which has been published this year
in England, extended across the Great
Desert to the 1oo North Lat and from Kou-
ka, in Bornou, to Sakatoo, the capital of the
Soudan Empire.
1t contains narratives of excursions from
Mourzouk to Ghaat, a town of the Iuaricks;
of journey across the desert to Bornou; OF
various expeditions southwark and east
ward, by Major Denham; and OF an excur-
sion through Soudan to Felataha, by Cap
tain Clapperton; besides an appendix with
interesting letters; a memoir and map by
Sultan, OF the countries conquered by his
father, &c.
! The last number of the Quarterly Review
contains an article on this book, which it
speaks of as sin every respect, the most IN
teresting and important that has yet come
under our observation on African research
es not excepting even "the brilliant discov-
cries of Mungo Park" 1t is Of great value
..in the view which is given us of the state of
society and moral condition of large masses
of people congrcgated in the central part of
Africa, and shut out as it were, from the rest
OF the world, on one side by frighttul des-
ert, and on the other by ranges of lofty
mountains, inhabited by uncivillzed be-
ings, of whom but little or nothing IS yet
| known"
The Travellers proceeded from Tripoli,
to explore the country which furnishes the
thousands of human beings annually taken to
slave ships on the coast. In conformance tothe
representatons of the British Consul they
/ found the route to Bornou, over distance OF
! twenty-five degrees, as open and safe as the
! road between London and Edinburgh. -
! DR. Oudney was sent as Consul tor Bor-
nou, but died on the way. They had to
cross the Great Desert, travelling eight hug
dred miles over a waste, never trodden by
any European except Hornemaun; and this
part of their route occupied them 68 days,
at the rate of 10 miles day, including ire
quent halts.
The Great Desert, or Sahara, is divided
between two nations: the Iuaricks IN the
west, and the Tibboos in the east. 1 ha tor
mer are not Mahommedans, and speak and
write a different language.
4 Beyond the great lake Tsad they found the
country we'll wooded. The principal town
in Bornou, contains $4,000 inhabitants; the
weekly market is said by the natives to be
attended by nearly 100000 persons. Here
the Englishmen we're pitied for being white!
: From Kouka, Major Denham went on a
slave eXDeulIlOUy Will lllC AIdOo WIZ nav
escorted them from Tripoli, and a party of
nearly 5000 horsen,en, headed by Barca Ga
! ma, sent, though unwillingly, by the Shekh
of Bornou. The poor Felatahs, however,
, appear to have inveterate prejudces against
becoming slaves, either through their igno-
: rance of ancient Greek, or their knowledge
+: of modern facts.--Certain it is, they gave
2 their invaders such reception, that Major
Denham escaped only at the greatest risk,
, after enduring the severest suff-rings; whilst
Barca Cana was despatched on the spot with
. a poisoned arrow, and his expedition defeat
| ed.
The Sheikh of Bornou afterwards made
r hostile excursion againt the people OF
Mnnga, with an army of thirteen thousand
men.
:, After observing all these interesting cir
r cumstances, Captain Clapperton proceeded
y westward, through picturesque and highly
cultivated country. Fortified towns and vi
lagos in romantic situations, alternating with
, fine park scenery. were continually occur
ring; and he was met with troops and the
/, sound of trumpets. as His B. M. Consul al
Sackatoo, by Bello, the Sultan of all the Fe,
n latahs.
o The state pomp of this monarch had de
n parted, as we'll as his real authority: himsel
n and his dominions having been conquered
though not prosessedly governed, by ths
Sheikh of Bornou. Bello wanted powder
rockets and field pieces; spoke Of the wal
with Algiers, the Greeks, and the Englisl
r conquests in India. The desired articles
S have since been shipped to the Blight
d Benin, from whence the communication is o
pen.
e Belo appears to be very intelligent man
u Although he never had seen newspapers
e he inquired about them with an expression
e of curiosity; and on hearing that severa
As thousands of them were printed daily, h
v made an exclamation something like that c
N a man to whom Captain Clapperton exhib
ed his rifle, and who, on seeing the balls hi
Ie a target twice at so yards, cried out -" tn
il Lord preserve us from devls!''
The Reviewer says: it appears that &c til
g; native population OF Bornou and Soudan is
j. peaceable, kind hearted, well-disposed, hon
Of est and contented race of men," The domes
II tic slaves are not treated with brutality O
re degraded. Those who are taken north a