The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22

The New York HeralI's African Expedi.
tion in Search of Dr. Livingstone.
We print in this mornings issue report
which, in point Of interest and variety OF
detail, will take rank among the most
interesting documents that from time to
time it has fallen to the lot of the
HERALD to place before its readers. 1t
is now nearly two years since one of the
HERALD correspondents travelling in the East
received orders to prepare and at out an ex-
petition, and then ''fnd out Livingstone and
get what news you can relating to his
discoveries" DR.. Livingstone, as our readers
are doubtless all aware, left England in
April of 1865 to again engage in exploring
the unknown wilds of the great African Con-
tineut. Two years after the great traveller
had quilted England a report of his
death was received, but the rumor could
be traced to no reliable source. Since
then information at various times has
been received regarding him. In 1867 an ex-
petition left England to ascertain the where
abouts of the distinguished explorer; but little
resulted from the enterprise. At length,
wearied with waiting and occasionally hear
ing reports of the man whose energy, courage
and perseverance led him to attempt so much
| for the ends Of science and the enlightenm en-
of mankind, the press, true to its mission OF
universal benefaction, resolved to solve the
problem and set at rest and forever the query
on which scholars and investigators have for
long years been perplexed and at variance,
and determine absolutely whether DR.. Living
stone is alive or dead.
On the 9th day Of January Of the year now
drawing to its close the HERALD correspond
ent entrusted with the mission arrived at Fan
zibar, and commenced his preparations for the
arduous and difficult undertaking he had been
ordered to execute. A months hard work
and q portion of the force neces-
sary for the undertaking was collected,
and the arms, ammunition, boats and
merchandise were purchased. On the
9th day of the following month the expe-
dition set out from the island of Zanzibar, and
after short sail of twenty five miles arrived
at Bagomoyo, on the mainland. Here the
travellers disembarked and commenced their
After stay Of nearly three months in
this dreary place, which time was spent in
obtaining number of carriers, known as
pagazis-a race who inhabit the Mountains Of
the Moon, and who are invaluable in the
transportation of merchandise over the sterile
plains Of interior Africa-the caravan began
to move, and the enterprise was fairly launched
upon its perilous voyage. The expedition,
when it began Its march, may be estimated as
follows:-Three white men, twenty-five SOL
diers, four supernumeraries, with transport
of eighty-two pagazs, or carriers-in all one
hundred and eleven persons twenty-seven
donkeys and two horses. The merchandise,
presents for the natives, necessary material
and equipments consisted of ffty-two bales
of cloth, seven man-loads of wire, six
teen Of beads, twenty Of boat fixtures,
three Of tents, four of clothes and personal
baggage, two of cooking and eating utensils,
one Of medicine, three of powder, FIVE of
bullets, small shot and metallic cartridges !;
three of instruments and three of small imple-
ments and other necessaries. The weapons
of defence were one double barrelled smooth
bore No. IL cannon, two American Win
chester rifles, two Stars breech-loading car
bines, one Jocelyn breeoh-loader, one
elephant rifle, two breech-loading revolvers,
| twen!y-four f1int-lock muskets, six single
barrelled pistols, three axes, two swords, two
daggers, one boar spear, twenty-four hatchets
and twenty -four long knives.
| Leaving Bagomoyo amid the curious gaze
and noisy demonstrations Of the natives, the
hardy little band set out with gladstone
hearts, for any change was q relief to them,
and, with not little anxiety for the future,
entered upon mission as adventuresome
as it was dangerous and as enterprising
as it was meritorious and praiseworthy. The
American flag was borne in the van, to be
carried over unknown lands, across unex-
plored plains, paraded on the submits
of rugged mountains, exhibited to the
gaze Of strange, uncivilized people, who
would look upon 1t for the first time, and pos
sibly be the haIbinger of bright hope, relief
and rescue to the man whose name is written
in honor on the pages of the worlds history.
The first night out saw the expedition en-
camped on the banks Of the Kingani River. The
following morning the journey was pursued.
The strange people in the still stranger country
through which the white mans caravan passed
gazed in wonder and establishment as 1t pur-
sued its course. Days and nights came and
departed, and still deeper and deeper into the
wild entanglements Of African waste did the
American expedition continue it, course,
now skirting the shores of rivers, again
marching, Indian dle, through dense forests,
and at other times crossing plains, for which
the sky served as q boundary, and the loneli-
ness of which impressed all with awe and
reverence. The scenery at times was grand
and beautiful, and as well as bleak and