Worcester daily spy., 1858-04-02

EXPEDITION TO THE NIGRR.-The Manches-
ter (Eng.) Guardian publishes several dis
patches from William Balfour Baikie, NJ. D.,
in charge Of the expedition which assembled
the Niger in the steamer DayspTing last au-
tumn, giving a partial description of the
country, and speaking of the loss of the ship.
The ascent of the river was commenced on
the 10th of July, taking in a tow a heavy
schooner. In the Delta, and various points
: above, communication was had with the
chiefs of numerous tribes, to announce the
objects Of the visitors, and show their friend
ly dispositions. They were invariably we'll
received aud readiness was shown to open a
trade on large scale, where the facilities
for conveyance should be provided. A trad
ing and missionary station was hrst formed in
in the Igbo country, $50 miles from the. sea ;
! a so the nucleus !or q colony whittier liberia
ted Africans might emigrate from Sierra
Leone. The principal productions of lgbo
are palm oil and rose wood cotton is grown
for domestic use, and might, if due encour-
agement was offered. be largely produced. On
the Iuth OF August the steamer landed at the
| confluence Of the Benua and Kwora. where
g,ound was promptly given for a factory and
mission house. The people are described os
Of very much moe civilized cast than any
met nearer the sea; ;hey we're quite devoted
to trade. and under proper instruction and
influence might soon be greatly improved.
On entering the main streams OF the X wora,
an abundance Of water was found, and no
difficulty was experienced in visiting all the
neighbOIing towns. The river was assembled
a considerable distance against rapid cur
rent, when the party landed and rode inland
about fifteen miles through fine but wild
country, TO place containing not less than
sixty thousand nhabitants--a finely chosen
spot. The King was yerv intelligent per
son. and being very powerful. every effort was
made to cement permanen! friendship Dur
ing their stay, (about two days J the members
Of the expedition feasted on milk, butter, and
honey. The ascent of the river was contin-
ued to Rabba, "a point never passed by any
previous expedItion,) which was reached Sep
tember IS. A messenger was there kindly
placed at their disposal by the King, to carry
dispatches to lorin. Capt Balkie believed
that with the help which might be obtained,
there would be little if any difficulty in open.
ing a safe road from Lagos, on the sea coast.
through the YorubG country, to Rabba, and
establishing, where requisite, regular postal
communication Rabba is on he regular cara
van route. At this point The letter from W hich
these facts are taken, is dated. Il was intend.
ed to continue the ascent of the river, but
subsequent letter mentions that after Rdvanc.
ing fifteen miles further, the steamer was driv-
EN- on he rocks and sunk. A second steamer
would soon arrive for her relief. Though the
expedition had been eighty-seyen days in the
river, their health continued good. Accurate
charts had been laid down, and numerous
soundingS taken. The existence of six o
seven tributary streams, previously unknown,
had also been ascertaiued But for the ad-
verse circumstance already mentioned, the
expedition promised remarkable success.