The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-10
The Death of DR.. Livingstone.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL AT
ZANZIBAR,

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT FROM THE AMERCAS toNstL Al
ZANZIBAR.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
ISLAND OF ZANZIBAR, December Q, 1856. J
Sa-It becomes my painful duty to report the death
of Dr. David Livingstone, the celebrated African e&
plorer, who, as I wrote under date of May g. 1866,
dispatch No. A. left here the 9Th Of March last
for the exploration of the river Rdvuma, and the re-
gion between the great lakes OF Central Africa, OF
which, as yet, but little is known. The sad lnfeA'-
gence was received here the 9th Instantly the ar
rival of several native members of the expedition
from whom bat little of Importance could be ecteu'
save the fact sof DR.. Livingstone's death am IN
debted to Dr. Kirk, her British msestys viceconsui,
and formerly a member Of the Livingstone Iambesl
expedition for the following particulars OF this SAD
event; and as his accompanying remarks may prove
interesting l cannot do better than to give them IN
his words;
"The return Of several of the Johanna men who
accompanied Dr. L. has made it certain that the dis
tinguished traveller has fallen, and with him, nail OF
his native followers, Ills present eApe
dton may be briefly stated to have been an attempt
TO unite the magnificent discoveries OF late years. ana
determine the limits and connection of the three great
lakes which reach from fourteen degrees south TO Two
degrees north latitude, and flowing to tue sea by tue
Zambes and Nile the two extremltles but with an
intermediate space as vet unknown. Such was the
fyeoorapbicsI problem. But DR.. L. had in view to
affect the present enormous East African slaverade
though pioneering the way which mi ght lead to lawful
commerce. To have consolidated in one the successive
discoveries achieved by himself, en- the 'Nyassa,
Burton, on the 'Sanganvika, Spoe and Grant, on the
Victoria and Baker, on the Albert NyauZa, would
have been fitting triumph for one who was the first
to cross the African continent within the tropical zone;
tut these hopes have been wrecked by his untImeiy
DEATH
ave last heard of DR.. L. at 'N'doude,' at the con-
fucnce of the NoYuma and Niende. Here he met
with kindness, but found the land desolated by the
slave traders supplying the market of Zanzibar. We
have information that he proceeded further to Maaka,
Mao chief, who gave presents OF cattle and food
At this point the Indian Sepoys remained behind, aud
have since returned to Zanzibar From Maaka to
Alake was eight days march. On crossing wide
water in Canves they followed the border of the lake
for several days and thus struck inland They were
suddenly attacked in bushy country about An, by
band of Mayite. DR.. L. killed the most forward OF
the attacking party but was surrounded ana Cut DOWN
by one blow of battle-axe which cut half through
his neck. Beyond this We have no details, Tor those
who returned were the first to fee. Almost all who
stood near Dr. L. killed, although they seem to
have done considerable with their rifles This hap
pened about six weeks ago, or about October 20.
You now see how very meager our information Is.
Even with a personal knowledge of the LAKES OF the
surrounding country, at least short distance from
the scene of this sad affair." and knowledge of that
very tribe of Zatees called MaVite ASite Maozites
etc. it has been quite impossible Tor me as yet to eCl
anything from the impenetrabe simplicity of the few
who have returned where this tragedy took place
That it was to the of the Nyassa is certain; and
whether in the district had already explored, or
further to the NORTH is still uncertain. That Dr. l..
was killed by the Mavite as he and were among,
together, is certain. They would have attacked US
then if they had dared, but we were too strong Tor
them. With such enemies, it comes to be question
of numbers as well as equipment
"The death of few will not break their charge
and small party, taken unawares, has no chance
Only one of the survivors Dr.. L. fall, but they
buried his body at PM, when the MaVite had gone
They took off all the baggage and all the upper clo
thing of the dead body, so that not even note re-
mains by which to trace the route"
1t is hardly probable that any further particulars
will ever be obtained il regard to DR.. Lvingstones
death, as the Mavite wandering people, and 1t
will be quite impossible to ascertain the particular
tribe by whom Dr.. LIS party attacked. I have
the honor to be, sir very respectfully your obedent
servant, EDWARD D. ROPES, Z. S. Consul.
Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State