The New York herald., 1871-12-28

Sir samuel Bakers Nile Exveditisa-Bad
We publish this morning an interesting
letter from the HERALDs correspond
ent in Cairo, Egypt, relative to the expedition
fitted out by the viceroy, and commanded by
Sir Samuel Baker, for the purpose OF making
still further explorations in the Valley
Of the Nile. All that money could do
to thoroughly equip and render the under
taking equal to the task it was expected to
accomplish was done; and Ismail Pacha, in
selecting Sir Samuel Baker as its chief, gave
additional proof of that intelligence and enter
prise which has long since rendered him one
Of the wisest and most wide-awake of rulers.
We regret to learn, then, that rumors pre-
vailed in Cairo some days prior to the de-
parture of the last mail that the grand UNDER
taking of the Viceroy had failed and that the
heroic Baker had perished. The intelligence,
1t must be stated, however, was doubted and
high functionary of the Egyptian govern
ment gave a most unqualified denial to the
report.
1t is certain, Notwithstanding, that the ex-
act location Of Sir Samuel Bakers expedition
is, or was at that time, unknown. Since late
in October the government of the Viceroy has
not heard from him. In conversation which
the HERALD correspondent had with the
Egyptian Minister of the Interior he ascer-
tanned that the supplies Of the expedition were
exhausted at point near Falore, just off the
Nile shore, in the interior; but as the Cover
nor General of Soudan had been previously
instructed to supply the exploring party with
anything it might need, it was expected that
the difficulty was promptly met. The expe-
dition, it must be remembered, is large one,
and the supplying of Bakers two thousand men
would be considerable draft on the stores of
the Governor Of any interior province in Africa.
The statement, then, that the party was sue
cessful in having their wants supplied must
be taken with soma grains of allowance.
Taking it for granted, however, that Bakers
men were true to him-a circumstance doubted
by some-it is not likely he would starve if
provisions were to be had in no other way
than by fighting for them. Bad news travels
quickly, and the rumors that prevailed in Cairo
that seven hundred of the explorers had died
and that the only white people alive in the
band when last heard from were the chief
himself and his heroic wife, were received with
some degree of credence.
Dating back over month from the date of
our correspondents latest letter, when the
Egyptian government had last heard from the
perseverlng explorer, we find that he was re-
ported near q small settlement about latitude
North, with the iron boats which were intended
to form the first fotilla of the inland equatorial
African lakes. Should this news prove
true. and we sincerely hope it is we may yet
expect to hear of grand results accomplished
by the indomitable Englishman. We enter
tanned fond anticipations that Sir Samuel
Bakers magni6cently equipped force would
be successful in Its mission in exploring the
wids of Africa, and that not the least
grand ultimatum of his labors would have
been the meeting with DIR. Livingstone
and the HERALD expedition, which left
Zanzibar last February in quest of the
iOTucT. ~ JuuCLiOu VI tue TWO IOECcS 0uu
the discovery Of DR.. Livingstone would be an
accomplishment in which the whole civilized
world would rejoice. As if to dash the con-
soling hope from our minds the news of the
latest dates from Egypt speaks of terrible
disasters to the Nile expedition of Baker
The Egyptians composing it, discontented
under the control Of Christian leader, mu-
tinted, and while attempting to restore order
Baker was shot in the shoulder by one of the
mutineers, and from the effects of the wound
died. Without leader, uncontrolled and de-
moralized, the rebels broke ranks and dis
persed. This is the latest news; but we give
it with reservation and, fearing the worst,
though praying for the best, we hope yet to
receive more consolng tidings of Sir Samuel
Baker and his African exploring party.