Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-11
stanIey,s African Explorations.

BRILLIANT SURVEYS AND DISCOVERIES AT THE VIC
ToRIA NIYANzA--HIH LETTERS LOST IN BATTLE
BUT FOUND AdAIN-GRAPHIc DETAILS.
Special Cable Dispatch to the Nets York Herald.
LONDON, Nov. 8, 1875.
The two letters just received from Mr.. Henry
NJ. Stanley are dated, respectively, April IL and
Is. and were sent from Ulagalla, in Uganda, the
capital Of the country ruled by King Mtesa.
They complete the subject dealt with in the let
tors received in October.
An interest almost as great AZ that of their
contents attaches itself to the story OF the jour
ney Of these letters from Stanley hither. They
were committed to the custody of Colonel De-
belleford, whom Stanley met at Mtena's court,
and who left there April II. This gentleman
WAS apparently attached to the armed force
which the Khedve has sent to those parts un-
der Gordon. He WAS at Mtesas capital with
troops in pursuance of some object related to
Gordon's expedition, and accepted Stanley's let
ters with view to send them down the Nile by
the Khedive's chain OF posts. He WAS ON his re-
turn to Gordons Station, and when he had near
ly reached it was surprised and attacked by the
Kari, by whom he was massacred with thirty-six
of his soldiers.
-Four of his soldiers escaped and succeeded in
reaching Gordon, who sent detachment immed-
lately to the scene of the tragedy. Staney's let
ters, stained with blood, were found by this de-
tachment among the bodies Of the slain, and
carried to headquarters, whence they were des-
patched down the White Nile to Khartoum, and
thence by the Khedives couriers to Cairo.
Stanley describes fully in these letters his
survey OF the southern, eastern and north east
ern shores Of the Victoria Niyanza. He gives
thirty-seven observations OF bays, inlets and
creeks infinitely explored, with view to de-
termine their relation to the main body OF
water, and to exclude the possibility of their
opening to other lakes or streams. He
fully exhibits and demonstrates the
unity of this magnificent sheet OF water.
He says :-Livingtone WAS wrong in reporting
that the Victoria Nyanza consisted OF five lakes.
Speke correctly states that the Victoria Niyanza
is one lake." Speke's two islands are proved by
Stanley's observations 10 be peninsulas. one
observation further confirms the great import,
ance of the River Shimeeyu as the principal
feeder of the lake and the EXTREMIST source OF
the Nile yet discovered
Stanley depicts graphically many incidents Of
his expedition. lie had several conflicts with
the treacherous slave dealers on the lake. on
one occasion he was attacked by 100 natives
armed with spears, in thirteen canoes, who were
repulsed after severe fight. Three natives
we're killed. He arrived at Mtesa's hunting
camp at Msavura, April II, where he was re-
ceyed with great ceremony and cordiality by
the King. III Staney's honor the King directed
extraordinary festivities and displays. One fea-
ture Of the display was naval review on INC
lake, of eighty-four canoes manned by 2,ooo
men. 1900 ,
l
mauuuyres there were races, in which eighty
four canoes were engaged, each propelled by
thirty oarsman, the King leading the fleet peri
| sonally in the presence of great throng OF
spectators. Among the onlookers were the the
three hundred wives Of the King. On the third
| day there was bird shooting and target practice
by 3, 900 troops. On the fourth day they return
| ed to Mtesa's capital.
This King has 2O0O,000 subjects. Stanley
praises his great intelligence, and depicts him
as ruler whose dominion affords the best angu-
nv for the possible civilization of Africa. He II
a Mussulman, but your correspondent regards
his conversion to Christianity as possible, and
suggests this labor as field for missionary Of
fort that i'd capable OF afording very brilliant re-
suits. -. .,. .,,,,
ness and beauty of the country. There are val
uable geographical notes in further illustration
Of the map, including soundings OF the Niysnza
and an explanation of the White Mic ABOVE
Taken together with the letters previously re-
ceiyed this completes the account OF the grand
discovery that it has been Stanleys good fortune
tn make through the good will Of King Altesa.