Chapter II: Preface

The following Journal, drawn up from original minutes and notices made at the proper moment and preserved with great difficulty, is now offered to the Public by the direction of my noble and honourable employers, the Members of the African Association. I regret that it is so little commensurate to the patronage I have received. As a composition, it has nothing to recommend it, but _truth_. It is a plain, unvarnished tale; without pretensions of any kind, except that it claims to enlarge, in some degree, the circle of African geography. For this purpose, my services were offered, and accepted by the Association; and, I trust, I have not laboured altogether in vain. The work, however, must speak for itself; and I should not have thought any preliminary observations necessary, if I did not consider myself called upon, both by justice and gratitude, to offer those which follow.

Immediately after my return from Africa, the acting Committee of the Association,1 taking notice of the time it would require to prepare an account in detail, as it now appears; and being desirous of gratifying, as speedily as possible, the curiosity which many of the Members were pleased to express concerning my discoveries, determined that an epitome, or abridgment of my travels, should be forthwith prepared from such materials and oral communications as I could furnish, and printed for the use of the Association; and also, that an engraved Map of my route should accompany it. A memoir, thus supplied and improved, was accordingly drawn up in two parts, by Members of the Association, and distributed among the Society: the first part consisting of a narrative, in abstract, of my travels, by Bryan Edwards, Esq.; the second, of Geographical Illustrations of my progress, by Major James Rennell, F.R.S. Major Rennell was pleased also to add, not only a Map of my route, constructed in conformity to my own observations and sketches (when freed from those errors, which the Major’s superior knowledge, and distinguished accuracy in geographical researches, enabled him to discover and correct), but also a General Map, shewing the progress of discovery, and improvement in the Geography of North Africa; together with a Chart of the lines of magnetic variation, in the seas around that immense continent.

Availing myself therefore, on the present occasion, of assistance like this, it is impossible that I can present myself before the Public, without expressing how deeply and gratefully sensible I am of the honour and advantage which I derive from the labours of those Gentlemen; for Mr. Edwards has kindly permitted me to incorporate, as occasion offered, the whole of his narrative into different parts of my work; and Major Rennell, with equal good will, allows me not only to embellish and elucidate my Travels, with the Maps beforementioned, but also to subjoin his Geographical Illustrations _entire_.

Thus aided and encouraged, I should deliver this volume to the world, with that confidence of a favourable reception, which no merits of my own could authorize me to claim; were I not apprehensive that expectations have been formed, by some of my subscribers, of discoveries to be unfolded, which I have not made, and of wonders to be related, of which I am utterly ignorant. There is danger that those who feel a disappointment of this nature, finding less to astonish and amuse in my book, than they had promised to themselves beforehand, will not even allow me the little merit which I really possess. Painful as this circumstance may prove to my feelings, I shall console myself under it, if the distinguished persons, under whose auspices I entered on my mission, shall allow that I have executed the duties of it to their satisfaction; and that they consider the Journal which I have now the honour to present to them, to be, what I have endeavoured to make it, an honest and faithful report of my proceedings and observations in their service, from the outset of my journey to its termination.

M. P.

[Footnote 1: This Committee consists of the following Noblemen and Gentlemen; Earl of Moira, Lord Bishop of Landaff, Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society; Andrew Stewart, Esq. F.R.S. and Bryan Edwards, Esq. F.R.S. Concerning the original institution of the Society itself, and the progress of discovery, previous to my expedition, the fullest information has already been given in the various publications which the Society have caused to be made.]

CONTENTS.
* * * * *

CHAPTER I.

_The Author’s Motives for undertaking the Voyage — his
Instructions and Departure — arrives at Jillifree, on the
Gambia River — proceeds to Vintain. — Some Account of the
Feloops. — Proceeds up the River for Jonkakonda — arrives
at Dr. Laidley’s. — Some Account of Pisania, and the
British Factory established at that Place. — The Author’s
Employment during his Stay at Pisania — his Sickness and
Recovery — the Country described — prepares to set out for
the Interior._ _page_ 1

CHAPTER II.

_Description of the Feloops, the Jaloffs, the Foulahs, and
Mandingoes. — Some Account of the Trade between the Nations
of Europe and the Natives of Africa by the Way of the
Gambia, and between the Native Inhabitants of the Coast and
the Nations of the interior Countries — their Mode of
selling and buying, &c._ _p._ 15

CHAPTER III.

_The Author sets out from Pisania — his Attendants —
reaches Jindey. — Story related by a Mandingo Negro. —
Proceeds to Medina, the Capital of Woolli. — Interview with
the King. — Saphies or Charms. — Proceeds to Kolor. —
Description of Mumbo Jumbo — arrives at Koojar — wrestling
Match. — Crosses the Wilderness, and arrives at Tallika, in
the Kingdom of Bondou._ _p._ 29

CHAPTER IV.

_Some Account of the Inhabitants of Tallika. — The Author
proceeds for Fatteconda — Incidents on the Road. — Crosses
the Neriko, arrives at Koorkarany — reaches the River
Falemé — Fishery on that River — proceeds along its Bank to
Naye or Nayemow — crosses the Falemé and arrives at
Fatteconda. — Has an Interview with Almami, the Sovereign
of Bondou. — Description of the King’s Dwelling — has a
second Interview with the King, who begs the Author’s Coat.
— Author visits the King’s Wives — is permitted to depart
on friendly Terms. — Journey by Night — arrives at Joag. —
Some Account of Bondou and its Inhabitants the
Foulahs._ _p._ 46

CHAPTER V.

_Account of Kajaaga. — Serawoollies — their Manners and
Language. — Account of Joag. — The Author is ill treated,
and robbed of half of his Effects, by Order of Batcheri,
the King. — Charity of a female Slave. — The Author is
visited by Demba Sego, Nephew of the King of Kasson, who
offers to conduct him in safety to that Kingdom. — Offer
accepted. — The Author and his Protector, with a numerous
Retinue, set out and reach Samee, on the Banks of the
Senegal. — Proceed to Kayee, and crossing the Senegal,
arrive in the Kingdom of Kasson._ _p._ 63

CHAPTER VI.

_Arrival at Teesee. — Interview with Tiggity Sego, the
King’s Brother — the Author’s detention at Teesee — some
Account of that Place and its Inhabitants — incidents which
occurred there. — Rapacious Conduct of Tiggity Sego towards
the Author on his Departure. — Sets out for Kooniakary, the
Capital of the Kingdom. — Incidents on the Road, and
Arrival at Kooniakary._ _p._ 74

CHAPTER VII.

_The Author admitted to an Audience of the King of Kasson,
whom he finds well disposed towards him. — Incidents during
the Author’s Stay at Kooniakary. — Departs thence for
Kemmoo, the Capital of Kaarta. — Is received with great
Kindness by the King of Kaarta, who dissuades him from
prosecuting his Journey, on Account of approaching
Hostilities with the King of Bambarra. — The Author
determines, notwithstanding, to proceed; and the usual
Routes being obstructed, takes the Path to Ludamar, a
Moorish Kingdom. — Is accommodated by the King with a Guide
to Jarra, the frontier Town of the Moorish Territories; and
sets out for that Place, accompanied by three of the King’s
Sons, and 200 Horsemen._ _p._ 85

CHAPTER VIII.

_Journey from Kemmoo to Funingkedy. — Some Account of the
Lotus. — A Youth murdered by the Moors — interesting Scene
at his Death. — Author passes through Simbing. — Some
Particulars concerning Major Houghton. — Author reaches
Jarra — Situation of the surrounding States at the Period
of his Arrival there, and a brief Account of the War
between Kaarta and Bambarra._ _p._ 98

CHAPTER IX.

_Some Account of Jarra, and the Moorish Inhabitants. — The
Author applies for, and obtains Permission from Ali, the
Moorish Chief or Sovereign of Ludamar, to pass through his
Territories. — Departs from Jarra, and arrives at Deena —
ill treated by the Moors. — Proceeds to Sampaka — finds a
Negro who makes Gunpowder. — Continues his Journey to
Samee, where he is seized by some Moors who are sent for
that Purpose by Ali — is conveyed a Prisoner to the Moorish
Camp at Benowm, on the Borders of the Great Desert._ _p._ 111

CHAPTER X.

_Various Occurrences during the Author’s Confinement at
Benowm — is visited by some Moorish Ladies. — A Funeral and
Wedding. — The Author receives an extraordinary Present
from the Bride. — Other Circumstances illustrative of the
Moorish Character and Manners._ _p._ 126

CHAPTER XI.

_Occurrences at the Camp continued. — Information collected
by the Author, concerning Houssa and Tombuctoo; and the
situation of the latter. — The Route described from Morocco
to Benowm. — The Author’s Distress from Hunger. — Ali
removes his Camp to the Northward. — The Author is carried
Prisoner to the new Encampment, and is presented to Queen
Fatima. — Great Distress from the Want of Water._ _p._ 138

CHAPTER XII.

_Containing some further miscellaneous Reflections on the
Moorish Character, and Manners. — Observations concerning
the Great Desert, its Animals, wild and domestic, &c.
&c._ _p._ 149

CHAPTER XIII.

_Ali departs for Jarra, and the Author allowed to follow
him thither. — The Author’s faithful Servant, Demba, is
seized by Ali’s Order, and sent back into Slavery. — Ali
returns to his Camp, and permits the Author to remain at
Jarra, who, thenceforward, meditates his Escape. — Daisy,
King of Kaarta, approaching with his Army towards Jarra,
the Inhabitants quit the town, and the Author accompanies
them in their Flight. — A Party of Moors overtake him at
Queira. — He gets away from them at Daybreak: — is again
pursued by another Party, and robbed; but finally effects
his Escape._ _p._ 161

CHAPTER XIV.

_The Author feels great Joy at his Deliverance, and
proceeds through the Wilderness, E.S.E.; but finds his
Situation very deplorable. — Suffers greatly from Thirst,
and faints on the Sand: — recovers, and makes another
Effort to push forward. Is providentially relieved by a
Fall of Rain. — Arrives at a Foulah Village, where he is
refused Relief by the Dooty; but obtains Food from a poor
Woman. — Continues his Journey through the Wilderness, and
the next Day lights on another Foulah Village, where he is
hospitably received by one of the Shepherds. — Arrives on
the third Day at a Negro Town called Wawra, tributary to
the King of Bambarra._ _p._ 175

CHAPTER XV.

_The Author proceeds to Wassiboo — is joined by some
fugitive Kaartans, who accompany him in his Route through
Bambarra. — Discovers the Niger. — Some Account of Sego,
the Capital of Bambarra. — Mansong, the King, refuses to
see the Author, but sends him a Present. — Great
Hospitality of a Negro Woman._ _p._ 185

CHAPTER XVI.

_Departure from Sego, and Arrival at Kabba. — Description
of the Shea, or vegetable Butter Tree. — The Author and his
Guide arrive at Sansanding. Behaviour of the Moors at that
Place. — The Author pursues his Journey to the Eastward. —
Incidents on the Road. — Arrives at Modiboo, and proceeds
for Kea; but obliged to leave his Horse by the Way. —
Embarks at Kea in a Fisherman’s Canoe for Moorzan; is
conveyed from thence across the Niger to Silla. —
Determines to proceed no further Eastward. — Some Account
of the further Course of the Niger, and the Towns in its
Vicinage, towards the East._ _p._ 201

CHAPTER XVII.

_The Author returns Westward — arrives at Modiboo, and
recovers his Horse — finds great Difficulty in travelling,
in consequence of the Rains, and the overflowing of the
River; — is informed that the King of Bambarra had sent
Persons to apprehend him: — avoids Sego, and prosecutes his
Journey along the Banks of the Niger. — Incidents on the
Road. — Cruelties attendant on African Wars. — The Author
crosses the River Frina, and arrives at Taffara._ _p._ 218

CHAPTER XVIII.

_Inhospitable Reception at Taffara. — A Negro Funeral at
Sooha. — The Author continues his Route through several
Villages along the Banks of the Niger, until he comes to
Koolikorro. — Supports himself by writing_ Saphies —
_reaches Maraboo — loses the Road; and after many
Difficulties arrives at Bammakoo. — Takes the Road for
Sibidooloo — meets with great Kindness at a Village called
Kooma; — is afterwards robbed, stripped, and plundered by
Banditti. — The Author’s Resource and Consolation under
exquisite Distress. — He arrives in Safety at
Sibidooloo._ _p._ 233

CHAPTER XIX.

_Government of Manding. — The Author’s Reception by the
Mansa, or chief Man of Sibidooloo, who takes Measures for
the Recovery of his Horse and Effects. — The Author removes
to Wanda; — great Scarcity, and its afflicting
Consequences. — The Author recovers his Horse and Clothes —
presents his Horse to the Mansa; and prosecutes his Journey
to Kamalia — some Account of that Town. — The Author’s kind
Reception by Karfa Taura, a Slatee, who proposes to go to
the Gambia in the next dry Season, with a Caravan of Slaves
— The Author’s Sickness, and Determination to remain and
accompany Karfa._ _p._ 245

CHAPTER XX.

_Of the Climate and Seasons. — Winds. — Vegetable
Productions. — Population. — General Observations on the
Character and Disposition of the Mandingoes; and a summary
Account of their Manners and Habits of Life, their
Marriages, &c._ _p._ 258

CHAPTER XXI.

_The Account of the Mandingoes continued. — Their Notions
in respect of the Planetary Bodies, and the Figure of the
Earth. — Their religious Opinions, and Belief in a Future
State. — Their Diseases and Methods of Treatment. — Their
Funeral Ceremonies, Amusements, Occupations, Diet, Arts,
Manufactures, &c._ _p._ 271

CHAPTER XXII.

_Observations concerning the State and Sources of Slavery
in Africa._ _p._ 287

CHAPTER XXIII.

_Of Gold-dust, and the Manner in which it is collected. —
Process of Washing it. — Its Value in Africa. — Of Ivory. —
Surprise of the Negroes at the Eagerness of the Europeans
for this Commodity. — Scattered Teeth frequently picked up
in the Woods. — Mode of Hunting the Elephant. — Some
Reflections on the unimproved State of the Country,
&c._ _p._ 299

CHAPTER XXIV.

_Transactions at Kamalia resumed. — Arabic MSS. in Use
among the Mahomedan Negroes. — Reflections concerning the
Conversion and Education of the Negro Children. — Return of
the Author’s Benefactor, Karfa. — Further Account of the
Purchase and Treatment of Slaves. — Fast of Rhamadan how
observed by the Negroes. — Author’s anxiety for the Day of
Departure. — The Caravan sets out — Account of it on its
Departure, and Proceedings on the Road, until its Arrival
at Kinytakooro._ _p._ 313

CHAPTER XXV.

_The Coffle crosses the Jallonka Wilderness. — Miserable
Fate of one of the female Slaves; — arrives at Sooseeta; —
proceeds to Manna. — Some Account of the Jalonkas. —
Crosses the main Stream of the Senegal. — Bridge of a
singular Construction. — Arrives at Malacotta. — Remarkable
Conduct of the King of the Jaloffs._ _p._ 329

CHAPTER XXVI.

_The Caravan proceeds to Konkodoo, and crosses the Falemé
River. — Its arrival at Baniserile, Kirwani, and
Tambacunda. — Incidents on the Road. A matrimonial Case. —
Specimen of the Shea Tree. — The Caravan proceeds through
many Towns and Villages, and arrives at length on the Banks
of Gambia. — passes through Medina, the Capital of Woolli,
and finally stops at Jindey. — The Author, accompanied by
Karfa, proceeds to Pisania. — Various Occurrences previous
to his Departure from Africa, — takes his Passage in an
American Ship. — Short Account of his Voyage to Great
Britain by the Way of the West Indies._ _p._ 345.

APPENDIX.

CHAPTER I.

_Concerning the Ideas entertained by the Ancient
Geographers, as well as the Moderns, down to the Times of
Delisle and D’Anville, respecting the Course of the River
Niger._ page iii

CHAPTER II.

_Concerning the Geographical Discoveries of Mr. Park._ p. xiii

CHAPTER III.

_Construction of the Geography of Mr. Park’s Expedition
into Africa._ p. xxii

CHAPTER IV.

_The Construction of the Geography continued._ p. xxxvi

CHAPTER V.

_Construction of the New Map of North Africa. — New
Arrangement of the Course of the Nile — Its distant
Fountain yet unexplored by Europeans. — A central Position
in Africa, determined. — Edrisi’s Line of Distance,
consistent. — Errors of Leo._ p. li

CHAPTER VI.

_The Subject continued — Course of the River Niger, at
large — has no Communication with the Nile — Ptolemy’s
Description of it consistent._ p. lxx