The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-13
The E,pedi,ion to Central Africa.

The following information, derived from letters
addressed TO the Chevalier Bunsen and Professor
Karl Ritter, by DR.. Overweg, the geographer at
tsched to the expedition now on its way TO Lake
Tchad, may prove not unintcresting TO your read
ers These letters, dated Mursuk, 18th OF May, and
accompanied by an excellent map, describe the
route from Trpoli to that place drought tract of
country hitherto unexplorcd by any scientific trav-
eller. The direction of this route is almost due
south from Tripoh, turning southeast on approach
ing Mursuk; and beyond the Garian Pass, which
is about thirty five miles from Trpoli, and near
which is Mount Tckut, having an elevation Of
2,SO0 feet, the country consists OF continuous
table land. As far as the Well of TabOnia lin
about 80 deg. Is min, n. lat. } many deep wadis
intersect this table land, and the ruins of several
Roman monuments and columns were discovered
by the travellers. Beyond Ito the south of) Tabo-
MIA is the table-and Of the liamada, an immense
desert Of considerably greater elevation, extending
one hundred and ten geographical miles TO the
south.
As far as the eye can reach, neither trees nor
wells visible, and the scanty vegetation which
occurs IL 70 be met with only here and there in the
lie covered with small stones; pyramids Of which,
erected with great labor, serve as road marks to
the intrepid camcl-driyers by day-whilc the polar
star and Antarcs are their guides by night After
six long days journey, the expedition reached the
southern edge of this table land, which descends
in perpendicular walls TO the Wadi el Hessi, lin
about - 30 north latitude.) From hence TO the
Wadi Shall is about sixty gcograp hical miles
over another plateau of less elevation and extent
than that of the Hamada, but of equally dismal as
pect-thc general direction of the route being s., f.
IL IL composed of black sandstone, the dsintegra-
ton Of which forms a coarse yellow sand, covering
the inequalities of the stony surface: and from Il
stands out prominently the black rock, in high
cones Of the most fantastic forms, 80 much resem-
bling basaltic rocks that DR.. Overweg's cOmpan-
ions were often led TO cxclaim. This must be
basaluc rock" He himself was frequently obliged
examine the rocks closely in order not 10 be de-
ccived. The monotony OF the dreary black rock
relieved by the yellow sand, without which
the whole of FczZan would be litelcs5 wilderness
az il il in the sand that tho palm trees grow and in
the wadis filed with il that the wells found. In
the great Wadi of Fczzan the expedition passed
through complete forest Of palms, as well az
through cultiyatos fields Of wheat and barley
Another small table land travorsed by the
travellers before they reached Mursuk, at which
place they we're awaiting the arrival from Chat Of
the Tuanck escort, headed by Ilatila, who calls
himself "thc friend Of the English, from having
escorted Oudney and Clappcrton 10 Chat The
party were all well and in high spirits.
OF the varied oral information collected by the
travellers respecting the interior Of Africa the most
interesting, probably, Is the statement made to DR.
Oycrweg, by Baghirmi negro, that south Of the
lattcr's country is a nation OF Ka6rs (Which means
that they do not profess the Mahommcdan religion
who are clothed, possess large herds Of cattle, and
have iron weapons (war-a1cs) of their own manu-
! facture. Their country is mountainous, and is
covered with snow every winter.
With regard 10 the latter part Of this iniorma-
ton, II may be remarked, that ~ seems 10 connect
itself with the results recently arrived at by other
travellers and TO afford reasonable grounds for the
opinion that the interior Of Africa consists N i'm
mense tabe-and extending without any material
interruption from the mountains of Mcndeh, south
of Lake Tchsd, as far as the Cape of Good Hope,
and which is inhabited by nations Of civilization
superior 10 that Of other Africans; and that in fact
this great plateau, from is elevation resembles in
its climate and physical characters much more an
European than tropical country, and offers an ex-
ample analogous TO that Of the great Andesan table
| lands Of South America.
MIR. Rebmann, in speaking Of the natives in the
/ interior west Of Mombas, from whom he received a
livery friendly reception, states that the character OF
the people free from that savsgeness which would
render IL unadyisable for one two individuals TO
reside in their country and that It rather displays
composure gravity, and quietness--as is generally
the Gaze with the people living in mountainous coun-
/ tries Again, Mr.. Cooley, in abiding TO the Mu-
caranga, or people Of Monomoczi, who annually
descend in large numbers TO Zanzibar 10 trade,
says that they are decenuy clothed in cotton Of their
own manufacture and bring down their merchan-
disc 20 tho coast laden asses Of fine breed. OF
! the natives met with by Mr.. Livingston near bake
/ Nigami, we have likewise favorable accounts, 90
! that we may indulge the hope that az as DR..
| Overweg and DIR. Barth shall reach the Mandara
mountains, they will be beyond the reach Of the
deadly climate, and Of the savage inhabitants Of the
African lowandsj and that they will aitcrward have
! lever obstacles in pursuing their way southeast
| IN the direction OF MOmbas, their desired goal. II
u IN fact not until they shall have arrived beyond
| Lake lchad that these Jealous and energetic tras
eers consider that their real field Of exploration
will begin The only fear is, that their pecuniary
means may not be sufficient TO enable them 10 CARR
! out their gigantic undertaking