The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-03-27
Opening Central Africa.

The Khedive of Egypt is a great man, one of the
very few who deserve to fill a throne, as he exer-
cises his almost absolute authority to forward the
interests OF mankind at large. He is a very differ
ent sort of individual from his suzerain in Constan-
tinople. Under his auspices two most important
expeditions have already been sent into the heart
of Africa 10 organize the government Of its equa-
torial provinces, conduct the great ivory trade, civ
ilize the Africans Of that portion. if possible, and
put an end to slave traffic. In point of fact, these
expeditions are but the forerunners and preparers
of the way for a permanent occupation of the vast
region lying north of the sources of the Nile. and
including the Kingdoms of Darfour, Uganda. kord-
ofan, and others of less note. With one exception,
the commanders of those expeditions were formerly
American military officers, but now in the service
Of the Khedive. The 6rst of these parties Is COM
manded by Colonel Sparrow Purdy, son OF the Hon.
Samuel Purdy. formerly Lieutenant-G Governor of
California. Colonel Purdy is on the general staff
OF the Egyptian army, and is assisted by Lieutenant
Colonel Mason, of the same corps, and also an
American officer. They have with them six native
! officers OF the staff, one native physician. and twelve
non-commissioned officers of the stat, with an escort
of thirty-three soldiers and four native officers.
The party is supplied with every requisite for sur
veying. and is strongly armed, having a mitrailleuse
and the most approved rifles. The second expedi
ton is composed OF Colonel Colston. formerly an
American officer; Lieutenant-Colone Reed, also an
American officer six natives staff officers, for sur
veying purposes; DR.. Piund, a German naturalist,
and twelve non-commissioned officers and soldiers
for surveying purposes. The escort consists of
four native officers and sixty-three men. Sir
Samuel Baker recommended the Khedive to secure
the services of Colonel Gordon, c. b. of Her Bri-
tannic Majesty;s service, and upon him has been
conferred the Governorship of what is to be known
as Africa Egypta, which includes the kingdoms
above specified. Colonel Gordon entered upon
the performance of his arduous and delicate duties
with the energy and ability which characterized his
career in China, and called to his aid the services
! Of that gallant American officer, Colonel Long, who
recently returned from u most important explora-
ton to Uganda, reaching its capital and its savage
king after 6fty-eight days of painful marches. His
party consisted of only five Egyptian soldiers; but
he managed to obtain valuable concessions from
King Mteasi. He was permitted to visit Lake Vic
toria Nyanza, but was for q long time refused the
privilege Of returning by way OF the Victoria Nile;
his persistence, however, carried the day. On his
way down in a small boat, his party was attacked
near the former capital of UnZoro by 400 armed
savages in canoes, but, after a desperate fight OF
several hours, Colonel Long routed the enemy. kill
ing eighty-two. He also captured several slayers
with cargoes of slaves. His expedition was one of
eminent success, and ELECTED from Colonel Gordon
the following emphatic Acknowledgment, Long,
you have done a great work, more than any one
here" 1t may be set down as an established fact
that the hitherto unknown regions OF Africa have
been added TO Egypt, and will no longer present
those insurmountable obstacles to commerce and
! the civilization, which emaaates from legitimate
trade intercourse. That this has been effected Is
entirely due TO the Khedive of Egypt and bis ad-
mirable corps of American staff officers, not emitting
the eminent services of Colonel Gordon of the
British army.