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
Translation.—“Praise be to God alone. From Abdallah, the English
captain, to the Lord of Yàoury. Hence respecting the book of the
Christians who were seized by the people of Boossy, he wishes you to
give it to him, that he may deliver it to his master, the Great Lord of
the English nation. This only is his desire; and Sàlàm be to you.”
No. 4.
_Reply to the above._
Translation.—“This is issued from the Prince or Lord of Yàoury to
Abdallah, the English captain: salutation and esteem. Hence your
messenger has arrived and brought us your letter, and we understand
what you write. You inquire about a thing that has no trace with us.
The Prince or Lord of Boossy is older (or greater) than us, because
he is our grandfather. Why did not you inquire of him about what you
wish for? You were at Boossy, and did not inquire of the inhabitants
what was the cause of the destruction of the ship and your friends, nor
what happened between them of evil; but you do now inquire of one who
is far off, and knows nothing of the cause of their (the Christians’)
destruction.
“As to the book which is in our hand, it is true, and we did not give
it to your messenger; but we will deliver it to you, if you come and
show us a letter from your lord. You shall then see it and have it, if
God be pleased. And much esteem and Sàlàm be to you, and prayer and
peace unto the last of the apostles.”—(Mohammed.)
No. 5.
The following is a letter from Clapperton to some prince or grandee,
whose name is blotted out of the copy book, complaining of the above
refusal of the Lord of Yàoury.
Translation.—“Hence, my lord, I have written to the Lord of Boossy
about the Christian book, whose owner was destroyed by the inhabitants;
but when I heard that it was in the hands of the Lord of Yàoury, I
wrote to him to give it to me, and he has refused. I have therefore
written to you.”
It cannot be doubted for a moment, that volunteers enough will be
found ready to proceed on an enterprise of so much interest; and for
an object, the recovery of which is not only due to the reputation of
the lamented traveller, but to the nation to which he belonged, and to
the government under whose auspices he undertook to make discoveries
in Africa. If Clapperton’s servant could find his way, alone and
unprotected, through three times the distance it would be necessary
to travel for the object in question, how much more likely would a
duly accredited agent, bearing some trifling presents, and a letter
from the King of England, be certain of making good his way, without
difficulty, in the same track which has so recently been trodden,
without molestation, by Christians and white men. A few presents, and
but a few, and of trifling value, would only be necessary to secure the
protection and assistance of the native chieftains on the road.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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