Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-27
THE DEATH OF MAJOR I.AING. q

fhe following interesting letter. written from Tim
buctoo by Major Laing the day before his departure
from that city, and few days before his death md
the account which follows of his DEATH copy from
the London Standard of JAM 27 where they are ere.
dited to an article by Mr.. Barrow in the Quarterly
Review, which vas to be published in London the
following day. 1t appears that the papers of Major
Laing referred in the Inter part of this article,
have been recovered, hut there is some faint hope
that they may yet be, Arab who carried
account of the murder to the English consul Mo-
gsdore, said teat friend of his had books not prin-
red but written, that belonged to the Christian, aud
Ire thought he could get them. He of course
Outraged by the consul to make the attempt
''HIMnuCToo, Sept. - 1S26%s
My Dear Consu-A very short epis,le must serve
TO apprSe you, well as my dearest Ernma, of my
arrival at and departure from the great captal of
Central Africa; the ornierof which events took place
the 18th ult.the latter will take place. God willing
TO morrow morning. l have abandoned all thoughts
of retracing my steps to Tripoli, and came here
with an intention of proceeding TO Jennc by water;
but this intention had been entirely upset, and my
SITUATION Ill Timbuctoo rendered extremely unsafe by
the unriendly disposition of the Fooahs of Massna
who have this year upset the dominion of the 1uaric
and made themselves patrons of Iimbuctoo, and
whose Sultan, Bello, has expressed his hostility to-
wards me in uneq,Uvoeal terms, in letter which
Al Sadi Boubokar, the Sheib OF this town. received
from him u few days after my arrival. He has
essot intelligence of my being in Tmbuctoo and as u
tr'r1y of Fonlafs arc hourly expected Al Saida Bou
hohar, who is an excellent good man, aud who trem-
bies for my safety, has strongly urged my departures
and am sorry say that the notice has been so Short
md ] have 50 much to do previous to going away,
that this Is the only communication shall, FOR the
present, be able to make. My destnation'is Sero
whitherI hope to arrive in fifteen days; but regret
TO say the road is vile one, and my perils no.
yet at end; but my trust in God, who has hithcr
TO borne mp amidst The scvercat trials, and protcc
Ted amidst dangers to viichI have been
exposed. l have no time to give you any account of
Qfnbuctoo, but shall briefly state that in every other
respect except in sze (Which does not exceed four
miles in clrcuDlfcrence,) it has completely met my
expectations Kara is only 3 miles distant, and is
neat town situated on the very margin of the river
nave been busy employ ed during my stay, searching
the records OF the town, which very abundant,
and in acquiring information of every kind nor is it
With any common Siegrec of satisfaction that say
my perseverance, has been amply rewarded. l am
nov convinced that my hypothesis concerning the
termination of the Niger is correct.
MAY God bless you all ] shall write you fully
from Scuo rs also nv Lord Bathurst and I IA
ter apprehend that both letters will reach you the
same time, Us cf the Ghadamis merchants leave
,Fimpuctoo for two months to come. A gain, may
God bless you all! My dear Emma must excuse my
writing. have begun hundred letters to her, but
have been unable to get through one. She is ever
uppetnlcst in my thoughts; and look forward With
delight to the hour OF our meeting, which, please
God, IS nov at no great distance"
This letter was left behind at Timbuctoo, and ap-
pears have been brought by the nephew of Babani
together with important document in Arabic. Of
which the following is the substance
About month after their safe arrival at TImbuc-
fon lLaing and young BIoktahl the Prince of the
Faithful Sultan Ahnad, Ben Mahonmcd Labo, the
lord aud sovereign of I'LL those count ries wrote let
ter to his lieutenant governor Osman, containing as
fplows:
'sI have heard that Christian intends coming to
you; but whether he has already arrived not, do
mt khow.--You must prevent him from arriving if
he has not reached you; and II he has, you
pei him the country in such 10 leave him
no hope of returning to countries, because
have received letter from the tribe of Poodah ,
containing caution against allowing Christians to
come into the Mussemsn couptrlcs in Soudan;
which letter written in the east, and contained
account of the mischeis and impieties by which
they have corrupted Spain and other countries"
ssWhen governor Osuian received this letter he
could not but obey it. He therefore engaged Sheik
ofthe Arabs of the desert, named Ahmed, s3n of
Obeid Allah, son of Rehal, of Solimen Barbooshi,
20 90 out with the Christian and protect him as far
as the town of Arevan Barbooshi, accordingly
went with him from Pimbnctoo; but on arriving at
his residence, he treacherousy murdered him,
and took possession Of all his property This is with
in our knowledge. we know the affair and have
sepn the letter Of the Prince ofthe Faithful, Sultan
ahmad Labo.'
The document is attested in Timbuctoo by fifteen
signatures. Phe following examination by the Bri-
tlsh consul, of Bungola, who represents himself as
the servant Of the late Major Lang gives the
trophe of this melancholy story:
What is your name? Bungoa. We're you Ma
lur Laing's servast' Yes. And he produced the
tidlowipg paper.l
II promise to pity the bearer, Bungola, tie sum
Of six dollars per month from the 9Th December
1895, till my return to Ghadavnis, or on the future
oil that event, till the 18th December, 1885, pre-
viousy deducting fifty dollars @hich pai,, 70 r his
freedom.
"-l. GORDON LANG
Were you with MAJOR LANG at at The first attack:
Yes, and wounded, Showing his head.)
aDid you remain with him OF Moktars? Yes.
Did you accompany him from thence 70 Timbuctoo:
Yes.
'.How was he received al Tiinbuc;oo? We'll.
How long did he remain at Timbuctoo: About
TWO months.
"Dd you leave Timbnctoo With Major baing? Yes.
'sWho went with you? Akofle of Arabs
In what direction ddyougo' The sun was on my
right cheek.
,'Do you know where 5ou were going TO San
sdndx.
"Dld you see any water, and were You rnoIosted: