Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-09-14
L9GG8rQIJ&Ip.
rFE INTERIOR OF AFRICA.

Although far from US, yet Africa is a re-
ZION ia which we. Of the United States, can
... but be deeply interested, and with which
,aE relations are Of growing importance. Sew
9-gI millions Of her children, vast majority
1T whom are IN bondage, live within our Dor
a1rs Benevolent men are striving 70 dam up
the human current, which q feEdish avaTice
fiji one hundred years past, has more or less
directly. and more or less actively, been i'm
relliug to our shores, in the slave-ship. The
Colonizationists are striving to restore the ne
gro to Africa, under he auspices OF the cross,
and all its accompanying blessings.
The prosperity Of the African Colonies viii
more or less Depend upon the character of the
native people with whom they viii have to
d7. What. then, are the characters, usages,
and capabilities of those natives Are they
such as to warrant the hope, that through the
medium If the Colonies, planted by the A
ulsrican Colonization Society, Africa may be-
come an enlightened and prosperous nation
il Africa can be civilized-if the native Prin-
eos can he induced 10 abandon, forever, all
traffic in the flesh of their fellow countrymen,
then the slave trade will cease to exist. And
i1 bringing about this result, we believe the
Bible more potent as an instrument, than all
lille nayies Of all the world.
OF the interior Of Africa but little is yet
bnown-yet enough is known to show the ell
cnents Of vast prosperity, and TO prove that
under the kindly influence of Christian civil
g.ation, 4 large portion Of Atrlc- may ulu-
mately become one Of the most favored re-
E.ous Of the globe.
The explorations of the brave and enthusi-
asac Mungo Park. commenced in 1885.
me descended into the heart Of Africa from
The northward, and discovered the river Niger,
which had previously been known to Europeans
only by rumoT and tradition. His triumph was
gained through perils and sufferiugs. He
was previously taken prisoner by the MOoTs.
Dismissed from his confinement almost in q
condition of nudity, he felt overjoyed that he
was once more at liberty 20 continue his search.
lie discovered the river at about two thou
sand miles from its mouth, and found, to his
surprise. that its course was westerly, and not
casterlv. as had been by many couieCtured-
and that II emptled into the Atlantic, in the
Gulf eff Benin on the west coast of Africa.
- ran along the shore Of the river, says he,
IL drank Of the water, and returned te-veRt
thanks to the sovereign Master Of the uni
verse"
In 1905. Nuugo Park, together with forty
five companions, made second partial explo-
ration Of the Niger. Forty-oHe of these men
Iel victims to the climate. Park and his
four fellow survivors were attacked BY a band
81 the natives. armed with bows and arrows,
and after Intellectual struggle, they were
drowned II the river, into which they had
plunged in order TO escape from the foe.
Since the days of Mungo Park, but little
information, with the exception e what re-
lates TO the Niger aud its shores. has been pro
cured concerning the interior Of Africa. We
wiu. however, lay before our readers few
facts taken from the account Of an expedition
sent to explore this almost impeuetrabIe re-
zion. under the auspices of the British Gov
eminent in 1871. The expedition consisted
of three vessels. severally commanded by
captains Trogter. William Allen. and VI. Bird
Allen. and its history has lately been pub
lished in England. On the 26th of March.
1871. they reached Ab5oh, about 90 and olev-
en- miles distant from the mouth Of the river.
The next morning. Obi Osai, the King Of the
country, went on board of Capt. IrotteT'
vessel, with SO numerous retinue that It was
found necessary 10 dismiss some OF them tol
tie sake Of convenience. Obi was arrayea
IN the uniform coat of an English sergeant
obtained from some former navigator, SCARE
pantaloons, and a sugar-loaf shaped hat, placed
somewhat jauntingly on one side Of his head
When the questions and answers betweeI
him and the commissioners had become some
what multiplied. Obi told them plainly she
did not ike to talk too long L must be OBJ
served Thar the negro King had n some meas
ure ~ advantage III this conference over his