Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-05-26
THE NIGER EXPEDITION.

Our readers are probably aware that sbout's
year since the British Government fitted out an
important objects. The following held promi-
nent place among these objects, tho suppression
of the slave trade, Geographical discovery. the
opening Of new avenues for British commerce,
and the introduction Of tho arts Of civilized life.
and Of the institutions Of Christianity, into this
part OF Africa. The steam vessels fitted out for
this expedition, having reached the African shore
and passed safely over tho bar, commenced tho
ascent OF the Niger on tho Goth Of August, l84l.
On the 2Sth they anchored opposite to Eboo,
at the upper angle Of the Delta, l2O miles FROM
! the sea. Here they concluded treaty with Obi,
the King OF Eboe, Tor the total abolition Of the
slave trade and human sacrifices. They then
proceeded one hundred miles farther up the river
to lddah, which they reached the end Of Septem.
Der. Here for the first time the African fever
broke out commencing on board the Albert. aud
rapidly spread to the Wilberforce and Soudan.-.
Capt Trotter, who had the command of the en-
petition. considered it his duty still to persevere
III which opinion the other officers fully concur.
req. \ similar treaty with that before described.
was ratified with the King of Iddah, and there
was also purchased Of him piece of land to DO
CHOSEN higher up the stream, for the establish.
ment OF model farm. The vessels then assembled
10 the confluence Of the Niger and the Obadiah
s70 miles from the sea ); this they reached on tile
iih OF September. A tract Of land was fixed
ipon, not far from this point, for the farm, and
'av'ng been duly made over by accredited a.
yents of the King Of Iddah, the stores were land
ID and the persons originally appointed to the of.
ice left in charge of them. In the mean time.
lisoase continued its affective ravages. On tho
9Th it was resolved to put The sick, now amount
ng to fory-six persons. on board Of one of the
team vessels, the Soudan, and despatch, her to
ga. The other two vessels We're to push on in
rder 10 attain the. objects of the expedition, the
ne 10 sail up the Obadiah, and the other Quorra
niger the two great branches into which the
yer Niger, at this point divides. On the very
ay the Soudan, freighted with sick and diving
len, turned her head down the stream. iarrSe
of few 81
lie Wiberforce, which to have assembled
e Chaddah Among chem were her commander
r master and purser, also the botanist and min.
aiogist, attached TO the expedition. To have at
mpted TO proceed up the Obadiah under these
would have been madness, and
ereiore 10 alternative was left, but that Of turn.
g the vessels head down the stream. and follow
In the track OF the Soudan. This the Will
rtorce did on the 2Ist Of September.
The Albert was now the only vessel left to
osecute the voyage. On the 29th Of Septen,-
sho reached Egga, sixty miles above the
notion OF the Obadiah and Ouorra and 300
lies from the sea. Sickness in the mean time
geuihercely on board and tho Albert also on
4th oil oc.ober, having but single officer, and
% oTthree European seanen capable of perform.
g dnty,'wa compelled to abandon the enterprise
d turn back Had Captain Trotter in the ALI
IT, only succeeded in reaching Rabbah and Sc.
red a treaty similar to those which he had al
ioy made below the, confluence, il is thought
barrier would have been raised TO the convey
ce OF slaves irom the countries lying to the
ortn and west, and that the great streams of
Niger ana Obadiah would cease to be what
~ have so long been-channels for the Dassaua
human beings to the coast hence to be ship
d In the flying dungeons provided for them TO
Brazis and Cuba. We presume the exped-
n will be again renewed.
Episcopal Recorder.