Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-27
DEATH OF DIR. LIVINGSTONE.
OmctaI Account from the American
Consul AT Zanzibar

Oenetai Account from the American
Consul at Zanzibar.
The following account Of the death OF
DR.. Livingstone has been received by the
State Department
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, Island OF ZANZIBAR, Dec. 9, 1866
Sir: II becomes MY painful duty 20 re.
port the death of Dr. David Livingstone,
the celebrated African explorer. who, as
wrote under date Of May 9, 1866, dis
patch No. a, LEFT here on the 9th of March
last for the exploration Of the river
Rovufas, and the region between the great
lakes Of Central Africa, Of which, as vet,
but little is known. The sad intelligence
was received here on the 9th inst. by the
arrival of several native members Of the
expedition, from whom but little of inn
portanoe could be elected save the fact of
DIR. Livingsione's death. / am indebted 10
DIR. Kirk, ii. b. NJ. Vice Consul. and
formerly a member of the Livingston
Zambesi expedition, for the following par
ticulars Of this sad event and AZ his ac-
companying remarks may prove interest
Ing, can not do better than TO give them
in his own words
AhN nun " hSttNdA Ol tue johanna
men who accompanied DIR. Livingston. has
made it certain that that distinguished
traveller has fallen, and with him half Of
his native followers. His
present expedition may be briefly stated 20
have been an attempt to unite the magnif-
cent discoveries of late years, and deter
mine the limits and connections Of the three
great lakes which reach from 18th degree
south 20 ID degree north latitude, and
howing 20 the sea by the Zambesi and Nile
At the two extremities, but with an inter
mediate space as yet unknown. Such was
the geographical problems. But Or. Liv-
ingstone had in view 10 affect the present
enormous East African slavetrade. through
pioneering the way which might lead 10
lawful commerce. To have consolidated
sn one the Successive discoveries achieved
by himself on the Nyassa,' Burton on the
'Sanganyika,' Spoke and Grant on the
Victoria and Baker on the Albert
Nyanza, would have been a fitting
triumph for one who was the first
70 cross the African continent with
In the tropical zone but these hopes
have been wrecked by his untime-
~ death. 1t We last heard Of
DIR. Livingstone at N'doude, at the oonHu-
ence Of the Novuma aud Niende. Here he
met with kindness, but found the land de-
solated by the ve-tFaders supplying the
market Of Zanzibar We have information
that he proceeded further to MataEa.
Mao chief who gave presents of cattle
and food. At this point the Indian Sepoys
remained behind, and have since returned
90 Zanzibar From Maiaka 20 Alake was
eight days march. On crossing a wide
water in Canves they followed the border
Of the lake for several days and thus struck
inland. They were suddenly attacked in
a bushy country, about 9 A. NJ, by a band
Of Mavite. DIR. Livingstone Killed the
most forward Of the attacking party bat
was surrounded and cut down by one hlow
Of battle-ax, which cut half through his
neck. Beyond this we have ne details for
those who returned were the first to dee.
Almost all who stood near lr. Livingstone
were killed, although they seem TO have
done considerable with their rifles. This
happened sboHA six weeks ago, or about
October %.
Ion now see how very meager our in-
kormation ia. Even with personal l.nowl-
edge Of the lakes Of the surrounding coun-
try, at lesst a short distance fropi the scene
Of this sad affair, and a knowledge Of that
very tribe Of Latees, called Mavite. Aqite
Ma2oites, etc, il has been quite impossible
for me as yet 10 elict anything from the
lmpenetrable simplicity Of the few who
have returned, IS to where this tragedy |
look place. That il was 20 the west of tie |
Nyassa Is certain and whether in the dis |
tnc, We had already explored, or further /
TO the north, is still uncertain. That Dr.
l. was killed by the same Mavite. that he |
ana were among together. is certain. I
hey Wonid have attacked Us then If they /
,.4. dared, but We were too strong Cor them.
" ia such enemies il comes 10 be CUES
STSn o. numbers as well as. equipment. /
~ ueath ct a ieH viii not break their
\ SuS'ee and small party, taken nnawares
mas 20 chance Only one Of the survivors
saw Ut i. fall, but they buried his bodv
a. . p NJ when tie Mavite had e,,e
They took of all the baggage ana si"o
the upper clothing of the deas ~. -
lhai not even note FeInains by which -
trace the ronte. ~
Il ie hardly probable thai any e,r,t.
particulars viii ever be Obtained In re,.r,i
10 Dr. Livingsione's death, "a the Msy;,e
aFe a wandering people, and IL will be
lelte impossible Co ascertain the particul,r
sriso BY whom DR.. l. spsrty we're attacked /
nass The honor 20 be, sir, very respect
iilliY, your obedient servant
EDWARD d. RoPFs. II. s. C.,ns,I
Hon. w. II. Seward. Ser'ry az STATE