Journal of a second expedition into the interior of Africa, from the Bight of Benin to Soccatoo : $b To which is added, the journal of Richard Lander from Kano to the sea-coast, partly by a more eastern route.Clapperton, Hugh
History
Journal of a second expedition into the interior of Africa, from the Bight of Benin to Soccatoo : $b To which is added, the journal of Richard Lander from Kano to the sea-coast, partly by a more eastern route.
Clapperton, Hugh
Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
From a variety of notices obtained by Clapperton, it is pretty clear,
that the particulars of the death of Mungo Park, and the spot where the
fatal event happened, are not very different from what was originally
reported by Amadoo Fatima, and has since been repeated in various parts
of the continent. The following correspondence, which was found in one
of Clapperton’s memorandum books, and translated from the Arabic by Mr.
Abraham Salamé, is highly interesting; and the more important, from the
avowal of an individual, that he is in possession of the books of that
enterprising traveller, and is ready to deliver them up to any person
duly authorised by the sovereign of England to receive them.
TRANSLATION OF SOME DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO MUNGO PARK’S DEATH AND PAPERS.
No. 1.
“Praise is due to God alone!—As to the subject of the Christians who
were drowned in the river of Boossy, they consisted of two freemen, and
two slaves, their own property. The event thus happened in the month of
Rajab: As their ship or vessel was proceeding down the river, it came
to a narrow place or creek, into which they pushed it, and remained
there three days; but the people of Boossy, having observed them,
assembled, and went and fought them for three days. When the fight
became severe, they (the Christians) began to take up their goods,
and throw them into the river, till they had thrown a great quantity;
and on the fight becoming still more severe (desperate), one of them
got out, and threw himself into the river, and died; and, in the same
manner, the other followed him, leaving their two slaves imprisoned
in the ship; so that the hands of the people of Boossy did not reach
so far as to kill them (_i. e._ they died in drowning, and were not
murdered). Thus I have heard, and do herein write it myself.
“THE SHARIF OF BOKHARY.”
No. 2.
_Arabic Letter from Clapperton to the Lord of Boossy._
Translation.—“Praise be to God, and prayers and peace be unto his
apostle. From Abdallah, the English ràis (captain), to the lord of
Boossy, named Moosa (Moses), with regard and salutation; and that he
has heard that the writings of his brethren, who were slain by the
people of your country, have come into your hands. He therefore wishes
you to give them up to him, either by purchase, or as a gift, or by
exchange for a book of your own (the Koràn), or, at least, to let him
see them only. We conjure thee, O lord, by God, by God, by God! and
Sàlàm to you.”
The reply to this does not appear among Clapperton’s papers; but, from
the following letter, it may be concluded that he was referred to the
Lord of _Yàoury_.—A. S.
No. 3.
_Arabic Letter from Clapperton to the Lord of Yàoury._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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