Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805 (ed John Whishaw) | Page 6

have perished, either as
victims of the climate, or in contests with the natives; [Footnote: The
persons who had been sent out prior to this period, were Mr. Ledyard,
Mr. Lucas, Major Houghton, and Mr. Horneman: subsequently to
which, several others have been employed; viz. Mr. Nichols, Mr.
Bourcard, &c.] and intelligence had lately been received of the death of
Major Houghton, who had been sent out to explore the course of the
Niger, and to penetrate, if possible, to Tombuctoo and Houssa. The
Association appear to have found considerable difficulty in supplying
Major Houghton's place; and had made known their readiness to give a
liberal compensation to any person, competently qualified, who might
be willing to proceed on this important and arduous mission.
The attention of Park was naturally drawn to this subject, in
consequence of his connection with Sir Joseph Banks, who had
received him with great kindness and cordiality on his return from the
East Indies, and with whom he was now in habits of frequent
intercourse. Sir Joseph Banks was one of the most active and leading
members of the African Association, and with his accustomed zeal for
the promotion of scientific discovery, was earnest in his endeavours to
find out a proper person to undertake the mission in search of the Niger.
There was nothing in Park's previous studies which had particularly led
him towards geographical pursuits; but he had a general passion for
travelling; he was in the full vigour of life; his constitution had been in
some degree inured to hot climates; he saw the opportunities which a

new country would afford of indulging his taste for Natural History:
nor was he insensible to the distinction which was likely to result from
any great discoveries in African geography. These considerations
determined him. Having fully informed himself as to what was
expected by the Association, he eagerly offered himself for the service;
and after some previous enquiry into his qualifications, the offer was
readily accepted.
Between the time of Park's return from India in 1793, and his departure
to Africa, an interval elapsed of about two years. During the whole of
this period (with the exception of a short visit to Scotland in 1794), he
appears to have resided in London or its neighbourhood; being engaged
partly in his favourite studies, or in literary or scientific society; but
principally in acquiring the knowledge and making the preparations,
which were requisite for his great undertaking.
Having received his final instructions from the African Association, he
set sail from Portsmouth on the 22d of May, 1795, on board the
Endeavour, an African trader, bound for the Gambia, where he arrived
on the 21st of the following month. It is not the intention of this
narrative to follow him through the details of this journey, a full
account of which was afterwards published by Park, and is familiar to
every reader. But it may be useful to mention the material dates and
some of the principal transactions.
Having landed on the 21st of June at Jillifree, a small town near the
mouth of the River Gambia; he proceeded shortly afterwards to Pisania,
a British factory about 200 miles up the same river, where he arrived on
the 5th of July, and was most hospitably received by Dr. Laidley, a
gentleman who had resided many years at that settlement. He remained
at Dr. Laidley's house for several months, in order to learn the
Mandingo language, which is in general use throughout that part of
Africa, and also to collect information concerning the countries he
intended to visit. During two of these months he was confined by a
severe fever, caught by imprudently exposing himself during the rainy
season.
He left Pisania on the 2d of December, 1795, directing his course
easterly, with a view of proceeding to the River Joliba, or Niger. But in
consequence of a war between two sovereigns in the Interior, he was
obliged, after he had made some progress, to take a northerly direction

towards the territory of the Moors. He arrived at Jarra, the frontier town
of that country, on the 18th of February, 1796. Pursuing his journey
from thence, he was taken and detained as a prisoner, by Ali, the
chieftain or king of that territory, on the 7th of March; and after a long
captivity and a series of unexampled hardships, escaped at last with
great difficulty early in the month of July.
The period was now approaching when he was to receive some
compensation for so many sufferings. After wandering in great misery
for about three weeks through the African Wilderness, he arrived at
Sego, the capital of Bambarra, a city which is said to contain thirty
thousand inhabitants. He was gratified at the same time by the first
sight of the