[The following letter was addressed to Lieut. Holland, commanding H.M.S. Scorpion, which vessel was sent to carry dispatches and presents to Mr. Davidson: but owing to the very rough weather, and the state of the bar at the entrance of the river, they were unable to land on the coast near Wad Nún. It is inserted here, as it helps to shew the great interest felt in the geography of the country which Mr. Davidson was so anxious to explore.]
| “Sir: | “Royal Geographical Society of
London, 11th November 1837. |
“I am directed by Sir John Barrow, as President of the Geographical Society, to call your attention to our want of information relating to the lower part of Sús, in the empire of Marocco; especially with regard to the rivers Wad Nún, Wad Soleïman, or Asaka, Wad Mesah, &c.; as your visit to Wad Nún, in order to communicate with Mr. Davidson, may enable you to obtain some knowledge of them, I take the liberty of sending you the following questions and suggestions, which may be found useful in collecting geographical information:
“I have also the pleasure to enclose to you our latest map of Marocco, an account of Lieut. Arlett’s recent survey of that coast, and an extract from Mr. Davidson’s letter from Wad Nún—if you read over these papers, it will enable you the better to judge of what we want:
“1. In sailing down the coast of Marocco, should you be near enough to distinguish the various small towns on the coast, notice especially those between Cape Blanco (north) and Cape Cantín, as the ruined town of Walidíyah is said there to exist in about 33° or 33° 15′ N. lat.—describe the situation of the towns, and if there be any appearance of an opening to a bay three miles in diameter said to exist—the opening, if any, must be very small.
“2. Four miles southward of Cape Gír, the Wád Sús falls into the sea; from fifteen to twenty miles further south another stream flows to the sea; describe its appearance, and endeavour to obtain its name—Is it Wád Mésah?
“3. About twenty miles further south another stream falls into the sea; also describe its appearance, and endeavour to obtain its name.
“4. In lat. 29° S., a river, said to be called Wad-e-stá, falls into the Atlantic; describe its appearance, and ascertain its name.
“5. A few miles south of Cape Nún, a large river has its outlet; what is its name?—Is it Wad Nún, Wad Soleïman, Wad Asaka or Wad Akassa, or Wád el Aksá, or none of them?