PREFACE.
The materials whence the following biographical memoirs of the two young men who were knit together in friendship, and whose adventurous enthusiasm led them into the dangerous situation in which their lives were terminated, have been drawn entirely from private and authentic sources of information. The author had the satisfaction of being personally acquainted with both the travellers, before they went to Africa, and had, in consequence, the best opportunities of learning the facts and circumstances of the previous part of their lives. But the present publication, of which they are the subject, owes its origin to an incidental conversation which he had with Dr. James Kay, R.N. the intimate friend both of Oudney and Clapperton. Dr. Kay not only had stored up in his memory many curious incidents and anecdotes of his friends, which he communicated freely, but he had in his possession a number of letters from them both, received before and after they had commenced their exploratory expedition. All these letters, with a variety of other documents relative to them and their affairs, were readily imparted to the author, to make whatever use of them his judgment and discretion might dictate. When he had resolved on publication, he mentioned his design to Professor Jameson, who, he was aware, had been instrumental in getting both our travellers appointed to the mission, in the accomplishment of which they went to Africa. The Professor not only approved of the design, but afforded the author essential service in its execution, by putting into his possession a file of letters from Dr. Oudney, written during the prosecution of his African expedition, and addressed, some of them to the Professor, and the rest of them to the traveller’s eldest sister. Professor Jameson, likewise, mentioned a number of interesting particulars relative chiefly to the arrangements of the expedition, and the views of the gentlemen by whom it was undertaken. The author is farther indebted for a part of his information to Lieutenant Sheriff, R.N. who had lived in habits of the closest intimacy with Captain Clapperton, during a series of years, and had become well acquainted with his history. Dr. Kay, moreover, applied to Mr. Anderson, formerly a resident in the West Indies, afterwards in Edinburgh, and now in the vicinity of Birmingham, also one of Captain Clapperton’s friends, to communicate what he recollected of him worthy being made public; and in reply he sent a letter, which was also given to the author, containing many valuable facts relating to an important period of Clapperton’s life; and stating the dates and particulars of a great part of his public career as an officer in the Navy, as well as mentioning a number of incidents, sentiments, and conduct, illustrative of his character as a private individual. These are the materials out of which the following narratives have been composed, and while, it is hoped, they will have the effect of preserving the memory of two interprising men who sacrificed their lives in the discharge of their duty, from being lost in oblivion, they will, at the same time, serve to assure the reader, that he may safely repose the most unlimited confidence in the accuracy of their details.
After both the memoirs had been composed, and indeed printed in a different form to that in which they now appear—a circumstance which will account for the frequent use of the editorial we—the Author had the good fortune to meet with Captain Clapperton’s sister, from whom he received some valuable information respecting the early part, especially, of her adventurous and lamented brother’s life. In consequence of this accession of materials, he has been enabled to correct several passages, and greatly to enrich his narrative. And now he begs leave to offer his cordial thanks to that lady, as well as to all the gentlemen mentioned above, to whom he has been so much indebted.
With regard to the Memoir of Major Laing, the Author of those of Oudney and Clapperton must disclaim both the merit and the responsibility. It was compiled from a variety of previously published notices of that gentleman, who like many others met an early grave in the interior of the African continent. As, however, he was the countryman of the other two travellers, and met his death while engaged in the discharge of similar duties, as well as nearly about the same time, the accompanying notice of his career seems to form a suitable companion to the narratives in which theirs are recorded.