Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-10

BRILLIANT SURVEYS AND DIsoovERIEs AT THE VIC
i. ToRIA NIYANzA-HIs LETTERS LOST IN BATTLE
BUT FOUND AaAIN-oRAPHIc DETAILS.
Special Gable Dispatch to the Nsw York Herald.
LONDON, Nov. 8, 1876.
The two letters just received from Mr.. Henry
III. Stanley are Dated respectively April 12 and
Ii. and were sent from Uiagalla, in Uganda, the
capital Of the country ruled by King Mtesa.
They complete the subject dealt with in the let
ters received in October
An interest almost al great as 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 Mtesas court
and who left there April IT. This gentleman
was apparently attached to the armed force
which tile Khediyo has sent to those parts un-
der Gordon. He WIS at Mtesa's capital with
troops in pursuance Of some object related to
dordons expedition, and accepted Stanleys let
ters with view to send them down the Nile by
the Khedive's chain Of posts He WAS on his re-
turn to Gordon's Station, sRd when he had near
~ reached IL WAS surprised aud attacked by the
Kari, by whom he was massacred with thirty six
OF his soldiers.
Four of his soldiers escaped aud succeeded in
reaching Gordon, who sent detachment immed-
lately to the scene OF the tragedy. Stanleys 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 northeast
ern shores Of the Victoria Niyanza. He gives
thirty-seyen observations OF bays, inlets and
creeks, infinitely explored, with view to de-
termne 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 :-Liyingtone WAS wrong in reporting
that the Victoria Nlyanza consisted Of Ave lakes.
Spoke correctly states that the Victoria Niyanza
is one lako." Speke's two islands are proved by
Stanley's observations to 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. He had several conflicts with
the treacherous slave dealers Oh the lake. On
one occasion he was attacked by 100 natives
repulsed after severe fight. Three natives
were killed. He arrived at Mtesas hunting
camp at Msayura, April 10, where he was re-
ceiyed with great ceremony and oordiality by
the King. In Stanleys honor the King directed
extraordinary festivities and displays. One fea-
ture OF the display was naval review on the
lake. of eighty-four canoes manned by $500
men.
on the second day, IN addition to the naval
manoeuyres there were races, in which eighty
four canoes were engaged, each propelled by
thirty oarsman, the King leading the feet peri
sonally in the presence of 3 great throng Of
spectators. Among the onlookers were the
three hundred wives Of the KING. On the third
day there WAS bird shooting and target practice
by 5000 troops. On the fourth day they return
ed to Mtesa's capital
This King has 2,00O,000 subjects. Stanley
praises his great intelligence, and depicts him
as ruler whose dominion affords the best sugu-
ry for the possible civilization of Africa He is
3 Mussulman, but your correspondent regards
his conversion to Christianity as possible, and
suggests this labor field for missionary ef-
fort that is capable of atfordng very brilliant re-
suits.
Picturesque accounts are given OF the rich
ness and beauty of the country. There are val
liable geographical notes in further illustration |
Of the map, including soundings Of the Nyanza |
md an explanation of the White Nile above |
Ripon Falls. |
Taken together with the letters previously re- |
,eiyed this completes the account of the grand |
discovery that it has been Stanley's good fortune
% make through the good will of King Mtesa.