Chapter I: Introductory Chapter (2)

£
Sir William Mackinnon, Bart. 2,000
Peter Mackinnon, Esq. 1,000
John Mackinnon, Esq. 300
Baroness Burdett-Coutts 100
W. Burdett-Coutts, Esq. 400
James S. Jameson, Esq. 1,000
Countess de Noailles 1,000
Peter Denny, Esq., of Dumbarton 1,000
Henry Johnson Younger, Esq., of the
Scottish Geographical Society 500
Alexander L. Bruce, Esq., of the
Scottish Geographical Society 500
Messrs. Gray, Dawes & Co., of London 1,000
Duncan Mac Neil, Esq. 700
James F. Hutton, Esq., of Manchester 250
Sir Thos. Fowell Buxton 250
James Hall, Esq., of Argyleshire 250
N. McMichael, Esq., of Glasgow 250
Royal Geographical Society, London 1,000
Egyptian Government 10,000
------
£21,500[D]

In order to increase the funds and create a provision against contingencies, I volunteered to write letters from Africa, which the Committee might dispose of to the press as they saw fit, and accept whatever moneys that might receive as my contribution to it.

The estimate of time required to reach Emin Pasha, after a careful calculation, was formed on the basis that whereas I travelled in 1874-5 a distance of 720 miles in 103 days, therefore:--

1st route.--By Masai Land, march to Wadelai and return to coast
14 months. Reserve for delays 4 months = 18 months.

2nd route.--By Msalala, Karagwé, Ankori, and Usongora to Lake
Albert. Land march to and return 16 months, delays
4 months = 20 months.

3rd route.--_Viâ_ Congo.
Zanzibar to Congo 1 mth. = 1st April, 1887
Overland route to Stanley Pool 1 " = 1st May "
By steam up the Congo 1-1/2 " = 15th June "
Halt 25th " "
Yambuya to Albert Nyanza 3 mths = 25th Sept., 1887
Halt 9th Jan., 1888
Albert Nyanza to Zanzibar,
land march 8 " = 8th Sept. "
Delays 3-1/2 " = 18 months.

The actual time, however, occupied by the Expedition is as follows:--

Arrive at Congo 18th Mar., 1887
" " Stanley Pool 21st Apr. "
" " Yambuya 15th June "
Halt at Yambuya 28th " "
Albert Nyanza 13th Dec. "
Return to Fort Bodo 8th Jan., 1888
Halt while collecting convalescents 2nd Apr. "
The Albert Nyanza, 2nd time 18th " "
Halt until 25th May "
Fort Bodo again 8th June "
Banalya 90 miles from Yambuya 17th Aug. "
Fort Bodo again 20th Dec. "
Albert Nyanza, 3rd time 26th Jan., 1889
Halt near Albert Nyanza until 8th May "
March to Zanzibar, 1400 miles, 6 months. 6th Dec. "

So that we actually occupied a little over 10-1/2 months from
Zanzibar to the Albert Nyanza, and
from the Nyanza to the Indian Ocean. 6 "
Halt at the Albert 1-1/2 "
-------
18 "

I was formally informed by letter on the 31st of December, 1886, that I might commence my preparations.

The first order I gave in connection with the Expedition for the relief of Emin Bey was by cable to Zanzibar to my agent, Mr. Edmund Mackenzie, of Messrs. Smith, Mackenzie & Co., to engage 200 Wanyamwezi porters at Bagamoyo to convey as many loads of rice (= 6 tons) to the missionary station at Mpwapwa, which was about 200 miles east of Zanzibar, the cost of which was 2,700 rupees.

The second order, after receiving the consent of His Highness the Seyyid of Zanzibar, was to enlist 600 Zanzibari porters, and also the purchase of the following goods, to be used for barter for native provisions, such as grain, potatoes, rice, Indian corn, bananas, plantains, etc.

Yards.
400 pieces (30 yards each) of brown sheeting 12,000
865 " (8 " " ) of kaniki 6,920
99 " (8 " " ) handkerchiefs 792
80 " (8 " " ) tanjiri 640
214 " (8 " " ) dabwani 1,712
107 " (8 " " ) sohari 856
27 " (8 " " ) subaya 216
121 " (8 " " ) Barsati 968
58 " (24 " " ) Kunguru 1,392
48 " (8 " " ) ismaili 384
119 " (8 " " ) kikoi 952
14 " (4 " " ) daole 56
27 " (4 " " ) jawah 108
4 " (24 " " ) kanga 96
4 " (24 " " ) bindera 96
58 " (8 " " ) rehani 464
6 " (30 " " ) joho 180
24 " (4 " " ) silk kikoi 96
4 " (4 " " ) silk daole 96
24 " (4 " " ) fine dabwani 96
13 " (4 " " ) sohari 52
3 " (30 " " ) fine sheeting 90
24 long shirts, white
24 " " brown -------
Total yards 27,262

Also 3,600 lbs. of beads and 1 ton of wire, brass, copper, iron.

The third order was for the purchase of forty pack donkeys and ten riding asses, which necessitated an order for saddles to match, at an expense of £400.

Messrs. Forrest & Son received a design and order for the construction of a steel boat 28 ft. long, 6 ft. beam, and 2 ft. 6 in. deep. It was to be built of Siemens steel galvanized, and divided into twelve sections, each weighing about 75 lbs. The fore and aft sections were to be decked and watertight, to give buoyancy in case of accident.

From Egypt were despatched to Zanzibar 510 Remington rifles, 2 tons of gunpowder, 350,000 percussion caps, and 100,000 rounds Remington ammunition. In England the War Office furnished me with 30,000 Gatling cartridges, and from Messrs. Kynoch & Co., Birmingham, I received 35,000 special Remington cartridges. Messrs. Watson & Co., of 4, Pall Mall, packed up 50 Winchester repeaters and 50,000 Winchester cartridges. Hiram Maxim, the inventor of the Maxim Automatic Gun, donated as a gift one of his wonderful weapons, with shield attached mounted on a light but effective stand.

We despatched to Zanzibar 100 shovels, 100 hoes, for forming breastworks, 100 axes for palisading the camp, 100 bill-hooks for building zeribas.

Messrs. Burroughs & Welcome, of Snowhill Buildings, London, the well-known chemists, furnished gratis nine beautiful chests replete with every medicament necessary to combat the endemic diseases peculiar to Africa. Every drug was in tablets mixed with quick solvents, every compartment was well stocked with essentials for the doctor and surgeon. Nothing was omitted, and we all owe a deep debt of gratitude to these gentlemen, not only for the intrinsic value of these chests and excellent medicines, but also for the personal selection of the best that London could furnish, and the supervision of the packing, by which means we were enabled to transport them to Yambuya without damage.

Messrs. John Edgington & Co., of Duke Street, London, took charge of our tents, and made them out of canvas dipped in a preservative of sulphate of copper which preserved them for three years. Notwithstanding their exposure to three hundred days of rain, for the first time in my experience in Africa I possessed a tent which, after arrival at Zanzibar in 1889, was well able to endure two hundred days more of rain.

Messrs. Fortnum & Mason, of Piccadilly, packed up forty carrier loads of choicest provisions. Every article was superb, the tea retained its flavour to the last, the coffee was of the purest Mocha, the Liebig Company's Extract was of the choicest, and the packing of all was excellent.

I need not enumerate what else was purchased. Four expeditions into Africa, with my old lists of miscellanea before me, enabled me to choose the various articles, and in Sir Francis de Winton and Captain Grant Elliott I had valuable assistants who would know what magazines to patronize, and who could check the deliveries.

Colonel Sir Francis de Winton was my successor on the Congo, and he gave me gratuitously and out of pure friendship the benefit of his great experience, and his masterly knowledge of business to assist me in the despatch of the various businesses connected with the expedition, especially in answering letters, and selecting out of the hundreds of eager applicants for membership a few officers to form a staff.

The first selected was Lieutenant W. Grant Stairs, of the Royal Engineers, who had applied by letter. The concise style and directness of the application appealed strongly in his favour. We sent for him, and after a short interview enlisted him on condition that he could obtain leave of absence. Lord Wolseley kindly granted leave.

The next was Mr. William Bonny, who, having failed in his epistolary ventures on former expeditions, thought the best way was to present himself in person for service in any capacity. The gentleman would not take a mild negative. His breast was covered with medals. They spoke eloquently, though dumb, for his merits. The end of it was Mr. Bonny was engaged as medical assistant, he having just left service in a hospital of the A.M.D.

The third was Mr. John Rose Troup, who had performed good service on the Congo. He was intimate with Swahili, the vernacular of Zanzibar. He was not dainty at work, was exact and methodical in preserving accounts. Mr. Troup was engaged.

The fourth volunteer who presented himself was Major Edmund Musgrave Barttelot, of the 7th Fusileers. He was accompanied by an acquaintance of mine who spoke highly of him. What passed at the interview will be heard later on. After a few remarks he was also engaged.

The fifth was Captain R. H. Nelson, of Methuen's Horse, fairly distinguished in Zulu campaigns. There was merit in his very face. Captain Nelson agreed to sign the articles of enlistment.

Our next volunteer was Mr. A. J. Mounteney Jephson, inexperienced as yet in foreign travel, and quite unaccustomed to "roughing" in wilds. On some members of the Committee Mr. Jephson made the impression that he was unfitted for an expedition of this kind, being in their opinion of too "high class." But the Countess de Noailles made a subscription in his favour to the Relief Fund of £1,000, an argument that the Committee could not resist, and Mr. Jephson signed the articles of agreement with unshaken nerves. Poor young Jephson! he emerged out of Africa after various severe trials which are herein related.

One of the latest to apply, and when the list was about to be closed, was Mr. James S. Jameson. He had travelled in Mashona and Matabele lands in South Africa to collect trophies of the wild chase, to study birds, and to make sketches. He did not appear remarkably strong. We urged that, but he as quickly defended his slight appearance, and argued that as he had already spent a long time in Africa his experience disproved our fears. Besides, he was willing to subscribe £1,000 for the privilege of membership, and do faithful and loyal service, as though it was indispensable for the Expedition to employ him. Mr. Jameson was firm, and subscribed to the articles.

We were in the full swing of preparations to meet the necessities of the overland march from Zanzibar, east to the Victoria Nyanza, when, as will be shown by the tenor of the following letter, it became necessary to reconsider our route.

"Palais de Bruxelles,
"7th January, 1887.

"Dear Mr. Stanley,

"The Congo State has nothing to gain by the Expedition for the
relief of Emin Pasha passing through its territory. The King has
suggested this road merely so as to lend your services to the
Expedition, which it would be impossible for him to do were the
Expedition to proceed by the Eastern coast. According to your own
estimate, the Expedition proceeding by the Eastern coast would
occupy about eighteen months. His Majesty considers that he would
be failing in his duty towards the State were he to deprive it of
your services, especially as the latter will be certainly needed
before the expiration of this lapse of time.

"If the Expedition proceeds by the Congo the State will promise to
show it all good will. The State likewise gratuitously places at
the disposal of the Expedition the whole of its naval stock,
inasmuch as will allow the working arrangements of its own
administration, which it is, above all, desirous of ensuring, as
you know. The _Stanley_ is the largest steamer on the Upper Congo.
We are forwarding a second one by the mail of the 15th inst., and
we will hasten as much as possible the launching of this steamer at
Stanley Pool; she will be a valuable and much-needed adjunct to our
flotilla. In the meanwhile the mission steamer _Peace_ would no
doubt gratuitously effect certain transports.

"Should the Expedition desire it, we would facilitate the
recruiting of Bangala; we are very pleased with the latter, as they
are excellent soldiers, and do not fear the Arabs like the
Zanzibaris.

"You will have remarked that the official documents, published this
week in Berlin, limit the territory of Zanzibar to a narrow strip
of land along the seashore. Beyond this strip the entire territory
is German. If the Germans allow the Expedition to cross their
territory, the Zanzibaris would be precisely as on the Congo, on
foreign soil.

"With kind regards, I am, dear Mr. Stanley,
"Yours very truly,
"Comte de Borchgrave."

That this was not a light matter to be hastily decided will be evident by the following note which was sent me by Sir William Mackinnon:--

"Western Club, Glasgow,
"_January 4th, 1887_.

"My dear Stanley,

"I had a pleasant short letter from the King showing how anxious he
is the Congo route should be taken, and how unwilling to allow a
break in the continuity of your connection with the Congo State, as
he considers you a pillar of the State. He asks me to banish(?) any
divergent sentiments, and get all parties to agree to the Congo
route. I have explained fully all that has been done and is doing,
and the difficulties in the way of cancelling existing engagements,
and get the authorities, home and Egyptian and the Sultan of
Zanzibar, to acquiesce in making such a change. I also mentioned
the great additional charge involved by sending 600 men, even if
the Sultan should consent to their going from Zanzibar to the Congo
and bringing them back.

"I promised, however, to ascertain whether all interested in the
present arrangements would agree in taking the Congo route."

* * * * *

In my diary of January 5th I find written briefly the heads of businesses despatched this day.

As suggested by Mackinnon, who has been written to by King Leopold upon the subject of the Congo route, I saw Sir Percy Anderson, and revealed the King's desire that the Expedition should proceed _viâ_ Congo. I was requested to state what advantages the Congo route gave, and replied:--

1st. Certainty of reaching Emin.

2nd. Transport up the Congo River by state steamers to a point 320 geographical miles from Lake Albert.

3rd. Allaying suspicion of Germans that underlying our acts were political motives.

4th. Allaying alleged fears of French Government that our Expedition would endanger the lives of French Missionaries.

5th. If French Missionaries were endangered, then English Missionaries would certainly share their fate.

6th. Greater immunity from the desertion of the Zanzibaris who were fickle in the neighbourhood of Arab settlements.

Lord Iddesleigh writes me that the French ambassador has been instructed to inform him that if the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition proceeds by a route east of the Victoria Nyanza it will certainly endanger the lives of their Missionaries in Uganda. He suggests that I consider this question.

Visited Admiralty, inquired of Admiral Sullivan respecting the possibility of Admiralty supplying vessel to carry Expedition to Congo. He said if Government ordered it would be easy, if not, impossible.

Wrote to the King urging him to acquaint me how far his assistance would extend in transport on the Upper Congo.

_January 8th._--Received letters from the King. He lays claim to my services. Offers to lend whole of his naval stock for transport except such as may be necessary for uses of administration. Wired to Mackinnon that I felt uneasy at the clause; that it was scarcely compatible with the urgency required. Colonel de Winton wrote to the same effect.

Effects of Expedition are arriving by many cuts.

De Winton worked with me until late in the night.

_January 9th, 1887._--Colonel J. A. Grant, Colonel Sir F. de Winton, and myself sat down to consider His Majesty's letter, and finally wrote a reply requesting he would graciously respond with greater definiteness respecting quantity of transport and time for which transport vessels will be granted as so many matters depend upon quick reply, such as hire of Soudanese, detention of mail steamer for shipment of ammunition, etc. We therefore send special messenger.

_January 10th, 1887._--De Winton visited Foreign Office and was promised as soon as possible to attend to the detention of mail steamer and Government transport round the Cape of Good Hope.

Messrs. Gray, Dawes & Co. write Postmaster-General willing to detain Zanzibar mail steamer at Aden to wait _Navarino_, which sails from London on the 20th with the ammunition and officers. I overtake _Navarino_ at Suez after settling matters of Expedition in Egypt.

_January 12th._--Answer arrived last night. Meeting was called by Honourable Guy Dawnay, Colonel Sir Lewis Pelly, Colonel Sir F. de Winton and self. The answer as regards Congo route being satisfactory was decided upon, and this has now been adopted unanimously.

Was notified at 2 P.M. by the Earl of Iddesleigh that he would see me at 6 P.M. But at 3.13 P.M. the Earl died suddenly from disease of the heart.

_January 13th._--Foreign office note received from Sir J. Pauncefote transmitting telegram from Sir E. Baring, also letters concerning Admiralty transport. No help from Admiralty.

Goods arriving fast. Will presently fill my house.

Went down with Baroness Burdett-Coutts to Guildhall, arriving there 12.45 P.M. I received Freedom of City of London, and am called youngest citizen. Afterwards lunched at Mansion House, a distinguished party present, and affair most satisfactory.

Telegraphed to Brussels to know if Friday convenient to King. Reply, "Yes at 9.30 a.m."

_January 14th._--Crossed over Channel last night towards Brussels _viâ_ Ostend to see King Leopold. Saw King and gave my farewell. He was very kind. Left for London in evening at 8 P.M.

Telegram arrived from Sandringham requesting visit.

_January 15th._--Sir Percy Anderson requested interview.

Mr. Joseph Thomson at this late hour has been writing to Geographical Society wanting to go with Expedition.

Arranged with Ingham to collect Congo carriers. He goes out shortly.

Telegraphed Zanzibar to recall rice carriers from Mpwapwa. This will cost 2,500 rupees more.

Wrote some days ago to the donor of the _Peace_ Mission Steamer on the Congo requesting loan of her for the relief of Emin Pasha. Received the following quaint reply:--

"Leeds, _January 15th, 1887_.

"Dear Mr. Stanley,

"I have much regard for you personally, although I cannot, dare
not, sanction all your acts.

"I am very sorry if I cannot give assent to your request; but I
fully believe you will be no sufferer by the circumstance of not
having the s.s. _Peace_. Yesterday I was able to come to a
decision.

"Mr. Baynes, of the Baptist Missionary Society, Holborn, will, he
hopes, make to you any communication he judges proper. If you have
any reverential regard for 'the Man of Sorrows,' the 'King of
Peace' may He mercifully preserve and save your party.

"I have no doubt of the safety of Emin--till his work is done. I
believe he will be brought through this trial in perfect safety.
God seems to have given you a noble soul (covers for the moment, if
on your sad sin and mistakes), and I should like you should 'repent
and believe the Gospel'--with real sense, and live hereafter in
happiness, light, and joy--for ever. _Here_ delay in you is more
dangerous than delay for Emin.

"Your faithful friend,
"(Signed) Robert Arthington."

_January 16th._--Colonel J. A. Grant offered to arrange with Mr. J. S. Keltie, Editor of _Nature_, to discuss Mr. Thomson's offer.

Letters accumulate by scores. All hands employed answering.

_January 17th._--Wrote Sir Percy Anderson would call Wednesday 2 P.M. Correspondence increases.

Mr. Joseph Thomson's offer discussed. Mr. J. S. Keltie is to write to him privately--decision of committee.

Arranged with G. S. Mackenzie about Zanzibar matters. He despatched two telegrams. General Brackenbury wrote about coal being furnished requiring Treasury sanction.

_January 18th._--Worked off morning's business.

Travelled to Sandringham with Colonel de Winton to see His Royal Highness. With African map before us gave short lecture to their Royal Highnesses respecting route proposed to reach Emin Pasha. Had a very attentive audience.

_January 19th._--Sir William Mackinnon mustered his friends at the Burlington Hotel at a farewell banquet to me.

Have said "good-bye" to a host of friends to-day.

_January 20th._--The S.S. _Navarino_ sailed this afternoon carrying goods of Expedition and officers. Lieutenant Stairs, Captain Nelson, and Mr. Mounteney Jephson. Mr. William Bonny started from my rooms with black boy Baruti to Fenchurch Station at 8 a.m. Arriving there he leaves Baruti after a while and proceeds to Tower of London! He says that returning to station at 2 P.M. he found boat had gone. He then went to Gray, Dawes & Co., shipping agents, and is discouraged to find that the matter cannot be mended. Baruti found deserted in Fenchurch Station, very hungry and cold. Colonel J. A. Grant finds him and brings him to me.

_January 21st._--Dispatch Mr. Bonny by rail to Plymouth to overtake a steamer bound for India and instruct him to debark at Suez with boy and await me.

Left London at 8.5 P.M. for Egypt. Quite a crowd collected to take a final shake of the hands and to bid me a kindly "God speed."

-----
[A] No. 2 clashes with No. 3 somewhat. Khartoum and the
Soudan are not synonymous terms. To withdraw the
garrison of Khartoum is an easy task, to evacuate the
Soudan is an impossibility for a single person.

[B] This is the only clearly worded despatch that I have
been able to find in the Blue Book of the period.

[C] This route would be through Masai Land.

[D] See Appendix for full statement of Receipts and
Expenditure.