The New York herald., 1872-08-23
TIE ENGLISH SEARCH EXPEDITION,
The Letter Of Lieutenant Henn to His Father
Why the Search Expedition Failed and How
1t Failed-Ths Conditions Under Which
Lieutenants Henn and Dawson Took
Charge Of It-The Meeting with
the Herald Correspond
ent at Bagomoyo. 3.

In a late issue OF tine Dublin h'tsh Times Mr.. r
Rice Henn father of LieWtenant Henn one OF the
Officers IN command OF the English expedition to
search for Dr. Livingstone. makes the following ex-
plantations in regard to the failure OF the Royal
Geographical soclety's venture into Africa:-
AS there have been injurious, perhaps might
even call them caulnniOus, representations In the
English press with respect to the motives which
have induced the leaders OF the Livingstone Search
Expedition to desist from their enterprise as soon
as they became aware that the object for which It
had been undertaken was completely accom-.
Neutrality-suspicious. and calumnies which
on Irish conservative newspaper has not Deen
ashamed to repeat will ask yOn to permit me on
behalf Of my son, Lieutenant William HEM, X. n,
own H countrymen. If they find verdict against
him upon the evidence be Will bow to the decision
OF his country but IT, on the other hand they shar
be Of opinion that his conduct has been
not only faultess but commendable, and that he
and his companion from whom he not only will not
separate himself, but whom he believes In, and In
whose friendship and intimacy he has found re-
ward for his otherwise unrcwarded labor had no
option as conscientious men, appointed for the dis
charge Of particular duties, and entrusted with
then ask them to throw their shield over the repu.
tation OF these young officers and not to suffer them
without protest to be made the scapegoat OF the
Englands long apathy in behalf of her distinguished
traveller is now patent to the civilized worli jea
Ousy In that the great honor belongs to foreigner
OF having performed gratuitousy what 1t was her
own imperative duty to perform, but a duty which
it had become as last impossible. And now,
sir, let me call your attention to the facts.
ccs hnsand nss the nvsS hSa q
take the command Of an expedition inta
Eastern Africa in search of Dr. LvingstonS
who had not been heard Of in Europe since MaV
1869. To their credit DE it sad upwards OF four
hundred men rendered themselves to the Society
| two were selected Lieutenant Dawson, r. n, and
my son-Lieutenant Dawson being an oiicer OF
high in the surveying @ branch Of the ser r.
the Photographed Department Of the navy. And
here it s well to mention that Lieutenant Dawson,
having thus volunteered for this most arduOus
| vice-a service OF national interest-0ne involving
great risk not only to health but to liIe and which
It was calculated would last for three years at the
shortest, was at once placed upon half pay, and
both he and my son-the latter being then a half
ps., q OF their absence from England would be
a"ct. from their sea-going time. Add to this
or reward oS OF tSe Rans na was
to their sNr': ;,ved their outfit, and they were
Society; they ses, nothing more: Contrast
the encouragement h. 'as " =, humanity aud science
adventurers in the cause ~. 'ence in America
Afforded to Mr.. Stanley, to whom :. 's outfit and
American newspaper not only ., gave h. scale, but
paid his expenses upon the most ,."efas. ~, mum
But to return to our history. Mr.. Oswen lasst
stone, i2edical student, and son Of the Ga ~
don In February, without one hours unnecessary
delay anu it reached the island of Zanzibar on the
S p Whn o rscys
him; In case of his death to endeavor to obtain
possession of his papers, and in that event to ac-
Experienced @ % Consul at ' Zanzibar, @ IT, and ana 0a to
The Expedition as have SAID, p left England sie on
the 9th OF February. Hen mems coca hon,fn,.n,i
Wil it a.. be believed that =, on that very day
pany with DR.. Livingstone, telling him the story
OF Louis Napoleon's deposition and that the Doctor,
possession ample stores, sufficient for four years
consumptiona However, "where ignorance ii bliss
expedition which not only never mentioned Stanley
in Its instructions, but which believed him TO be
myth and " which mic haa even & grave doubts as 70 the
on st. Patrick's Day, and lost no time in purchas-
ing stores and making preparations for its vast
being at length completed, 1t lett Zanzibar for
Bagomoyo on the 9th of April. One Dublin paper,
indeed, has expressed Its regret and astonishment
that all this precious time should have been wasted
at Zanzibar, and thai america should have thus
the Capua where England's courage and activity
had melted away But then the ec'tor has never
heard of the rainy season in Africa, anu It only did
not know what was known to every on eise)
that Stanley and Livingstone had been companicoi
since November for Livingstone was discovered in
although English relief did not reach him
until February, but OF course it took for granted
that the stores which were with dffcalty collected
backs of 100 porters had ali been bron yt nom Lon
don in Lieutenant Dawson's portmantean' Snr,ca
it to say that the expedition could not nave H lett
Zanzibar one moment earlier than It did iI ieft an
the 27th of April and on the following day reached
Bagomoyo on the African continent, having pre-
viously attached to 1t missionary OF the name OF
New, who, from his long residence In Africa was
well acquainted with the habits and language OF i5s
In the search. What follows Is best narrated in
letter written by my son from Zanzibar, when the
receiving the important Intelligence which this let
Ter contalned-a letter which may, perhaps. be
patdoned for publishing Isl Ing IN ernso as an nvo
writer of want OF courage and energy i'm the prose.
cutiOn OF his task
LIEUTENANT HENN's LETTER TO MS FATHER
LIVINGSTONE SEARCH EXPEDITION
BRITISH CONSULATE ZANZIBAR, May 8. Is12.
NY DEAREST FATHER-Beforo you receive ih,s
you will probably have heard that Dr. Livingstone
has been found by the American expedition. In nv
last letter told you that reports to that eect had
received they were generally, discredited. How
ever, now there is no possible doubt as myself
amined his three men who brought it down with
them. Stanley himself is about twenty days march
be waiting for stores, as he contemplates remaining
In Africa for another five years. When first heard
sS sa was sna on tne os At waiting
disappointed l felt, for the main object Of the
expedition was forestalled. returned here, and
should be. After mature consider
alton Dawson came to the conclusion, as the
anxious to survey and which was the chief reason
for his taking command OF the expedition, that it
30 much time and pay, which he could not afford to
DO. He has therefore resigned his command and +
am now leader Of the relief expedition. hope you
will approve Of the step have taken. OF course
oil the honor and glory-if ever there was aDy-of
finding the man is gone. The road to Unyanyembe
is well known and there are no difficulties In the
way Still to me it will be new ground. Not more
than dozen Europeans have ever traversed 1t.
In any case 1t will be better than re-
turning home without having done anything. The
Journey to Unyanyembe ought to be accomplished
In three months, the distance being $50 miles. On.
arrival there shall leave young Livingstone with
bis father as he wishes to remain with him. and then
make over to them the stores &C.. and If find can
depend on my men, and that my health Is ali right
shall strike out new route through the Nasal