The New York herald., 1877-10-09


ker's letter, given by Sir Bartle Frere to the
Times. had forgotten all about the letter,
otherwise should have written to you long
ago. But it is not yet too late, as no doubt
Sir Samuel Baker has published his book
and maintains the same theories divulged
in this letter. Perhaps absence from AZ
rica has but deepened his impression and
caused him at last to believe his theories to
be facts.
You may be able to compare these re-
marks with such as he may have made in
his book.
"Albert Niyanza. Congratulate Mr.. Find
lay from me. His theory is correct. This
lake is simple continuation of Tangan-
yika. had frequent conversations with
two native merchants of Karagwe, who pur-
chased ivory for their King Rumanika.
"These men had on several occasions ar
rived from Karagwe by boat via the M'woo-
tan Nzige albert Niyanza) They describe
the lake as immensely wide in some por-
tions, but varying in an irregular manner.
In some places it narrows suddenly and
then again enlarges to a great width. For
return voyage from Masindi to Karagwe
by lake the merchants route is as follows:-
"Masindi, two days march west to Chi
bero, on the Albert Niyanza. From Chi
bero, by boat, you pass in succession to the
south Minyoro (Speke's Unyoro), Kabbo-
you, Tambooki, M'Pororo (boat stops), and
in two days overland march east you reach
Karagwe, about 3 dgs S. L., Ruanda, Ba-
roondi (Speke's Urundi p, Chibbogora, Wa
tuta, Machoonda.
'Ujiji is well known to be on the Mwoo-
tan Nzige-i. e., Albert Niyanza."
AN ABSURD THEORY DISPOSED OF.
These statements would not need reply
were they merely on native authority in
stead of having the high support of Sir Sam
uel Baker. remember that the first time
read the latter felt somewhat "dashed"
at the long list Of native names which Sir
Samuel set forth rs names Of stations which
were said to link the two lakes-Tanganyika
and the Albert. There were many I had
never heard of, and to disprove the native
r,,rp Ct, po1,a
own exploration of the north end Of the
Tanganyika, better knowledge ofthe locali-
ties of those stations was desirable, which I
am happy to say have obtained by my late
explorations in the region between Lakes
| Victoria and Albert.
After the names Of the stations according
to Sir S. Baker, he adds
"Beyond Machoonda the merchants know
nothing, except that the take extends to the
south for an unknown distance"
It was plain to me that Sir Samuel placed
too much confidence in native information,
| for, alas have had score Of times such
| good cause to distrust oil native and Arab
| information that have made il rule to
take everything as doubtful
RATHER MIXED.
| These two merchants" had taken Sil
| Samuel over five lakes-the Albert, the Tan
ganyika, the Upper Alexandra Niyanza, the
Lower Alexandra Niyanza and the Victoria.
They had given the names Of largo countries
for stations, and mixed the names Of dead
kings with names Of insignificant stations.
Let us, with the clear light thrown on this
mass Of error, by exploration endeavor to
set things geographically right. From
Masindi, one of the capitals Of Kabba Rega,
King of Unyoro, it is said to be two days
march to the Albert Niyanza, to place called
Chibero. Thence you are said to voyage in q
boat along Unyoro. Kabboyou and Tambooki
This latter l take to mean Mtambuko,
King Of Ankori or Usayara, whose country,
though 1T does not extend TO Lako Albort,
runs parallel with II. between Southern
Uganda and some small lake districts.
From Tambooki, or M'tambuko's you are
supposed to reach Mpororo, where the boat
stops and two days march overland brings
you to Karagwe The distance might prob
ably be done in two days march, but would
strain any ordinary man s powers to perform
the distance in that time, but it might be
doubted whether two bodies of water, or
lakes, separated by two days land march,
could be supposed to be connected.
From Karagwe you are said to reach Ru-
anda. Having marched east to Karagwe,
you are now compelled to 90 west to Ruanda,
thence to Urundi South. Having gone