Mungo Park and the Niger

by Joseph Thomson

The Right Honourable Lord Aberdare was its first Governor, and Sir George Goldie—to whose diplomatic genius and untiring industry this country as well as the Company owes so much—was the Deputy-Chairman. Around these gathered as counsellors and advisers many who had been among the pioneers of British trade and influence on the Niger, and had assisted in preparing the way for the magnificent national undertaking they have lived to see inaugurated. Among these are the Messrs. Miller, Mr. Edgar, and Mr. Croft, whose names cannot but find an honourable place in the annals of the Company.

Of the career, bright with promise, upon which the Company has thus entered, it is unnecessary to speak at length. Already good results are flowing from the new administration. The gin traffic has been taken in hand, suppressed where possible, and restricted elsewhere by enormous duties. Arms and gunpowder are also no longer sold wholesale to the savage natives. The resources of the country are being tested and developed as they never were before, and with the most gratifying results.

HAUSSA VILLAGE.

In closing this record of Niger exploration we cannot do better than quote the prophetic words of M‘Queen—applicable still, though later than they might have been in approaching fulfilment. He it was who first conclusively demonstrated the course and termination of the great river. His was the first warning of the certainty of the French advance; his the clear vision which foresaw the necessity of a Chartered Company. Let him, then, speak for the future, foretelling what is to come, as he foretold what is now past, in the concluding words of his Commercial Survey of the Region.

“I have thus, though feebly, I confess, in comparison to the magnitude of the subject brought forward, completed the object which I had in view, namely, to call the attention of the British Government, and the power and energies of our people, to an honour of the first rank, and at the same time endeavoured to rouse the resource and enterprise of our merchants to engage in a trade of the first magnitude. By means of the Niger and its tributary streams, it is quite evident that the whole trade of Central Africa may be rendered exclusively and permanently our own.... To support and carry into execution the measures necessary to accomplish this undertaking is worthy of the ministry of Great Britain, and worthy of the first country of the world. It will confer immortal honour on our native land, lasting glory on the name and reign of George the Fourth, bring immense and permanent advantages to Britain, and bestow incalculable blessings and benefits on Africa. Agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, learning and religion, will spread rapidly and widely over a country abounding in the richest productions whether on the surface of the earth or below it, but at present a country overspread with the most abject servitude, and sunk in the deepest ignorance, superstition, and barbarity. Every obstacle will vanish before judicious and patient exertions. The glory of our Creator, the good of mankind, the prosperity of our country, the interest of the present and the welfare of future generations—glory, honour, interest call us, and united point out the sure path to gain the important end. Let but the noble Union Ensign wave over and be planted by the stream of the mighty Niger, and the deepest wounds of Africa are healed.”

---

[INDEX.]

• Adamawa, [13].
• Africa, early exploration of, [2], [16].
• —— English in, [24], [26], [29], [46-245], [255], [257], [265], [276], [289], [299], [308], [293-332].
• —— French in, [29], [291], [302-306], [313].
• —— Germans in, [317].
• —— Portuguese in, [20].
• African Association, the, [31], [41], [45], [176], [178], [184].
• —— Company, the, [28].
• Agades, [17].
• Ahmed Baba of Timbuktu, [11].
• Akassa, [320].
• Ali of Bornu, [13].
• —— of Ludamar, [83], [93].
• Amadi Fatuma, Park’s guide, [233], [237], [238], [239], [243].
• Anderson, Dr. Alexander, Park’s brother-in-law, [194], [214], [217], [222], [232].
• Arabs, [7], [16], [272].
• Arab conquests, [6].
• —— explorers, [16].
• —— historians, [16].
• Armour, Sudanese, [270].
• Askia, [10].
• —— Ishak, [11].
• Badagry, [278], [281], [283].
• Bady, [203].
• Bafing R., [151], [210], [213].
• Baikie, Dr., [299], [308].
• Bakhoy or Furkomo, [215].
• Bambaku, [202].
• Bambarra, district of, [72], [76], [105], [226].
• —— king of, [108].
• Bambuk, [29], [34].
• Bammaku, [128], [226].
• Bangassi, [220].
• Banks, Sir Joseph, [41], [45], [184], [194].
• Barth, [8-12], [239], [297].
• —— quoted, [9], [10], [12].
• Bathurst, [46].
• Bawa, king of Haussa, [250].
• Beecroft, Governor, [296].
• Bees, caravan attacked by, [147], [205].
• Bello, Sultan of Sokoto, [252], [275], [277].
• Benaum, Moorish camp at, [82].
• —— Park’s reception at, [83].
• Benin, Bight of, [193], [260].
• Benué or Tchadda, [119], [274], [286], [295], [298], [316].
• Berbers, [8], [268].
• Berlin Conference, [316].
• Bintingala, [154].
• Birni-n-Kebbi, [119].
• Birthplace of Park, [36].
• Biru, [15], [113].
• Bombyx or silk-cotton tree, [46].
• Bondou, district of, [58], [59], [258].
• Bornu, district of, [9], [12], [246], [270].
• —— historians of, [13].
• —— kings of, [13].
• —— rise to political importance, [13].
• Bridge, a primitive, [151].
• Bushreens, [51].
• Bussa, [240], [261], [279], [283].
• Caillé, [290-292].
• Campbell, Captain, expedition of, [257].
• Captivity of Park. See [Park].
• Caravan, a day with, [218].
• —— an early, [56].
• —— Park’s, [201].
• —— a slave, [143-158].
• Catherine, the, voyage of, [24].
• Chad, Lake, [9], [193], [269].
• Chandos, Duke of, [28].
• Charlestown, the, [161].
• Charms, [127].
• Charter for Royal Niger Company, [330].
• Chivalry, Pagan, an example of, [152].
• Christianity in Africa, [6], [161], [323].
• Clapperton, Lieutenant, [265-275].
• Commerce, articles of, [160], [308], [309].
• —— on the Gambia, [48].
• —— on the Niger, [309].
• Companies, chartered, [262], [314].
• —— commercial, enterprise of, [294-332].
• Company, the African, [28].
• Congo River, the, [192], [256].
• —— cataracts of, [256].
• Conversion, a Mohammedan mode of, [70].
• Counti Mamadi, [113], [123].
• Cowries, [111], [231].
• Customs, Negro, [56], [58], [77].
• Daisy, king of Kaarta, [89], [94].
• Dalli, [81].
• De Barros, [21].
• Debo (Dibbie) Lake, [118].
• Demba, Park’s servant, [54], [68], [79], [80], [82], [89], [92], [159].
• Denham, Major, [265], [273].
• Dibalami Dunama Selmami, king of Bornu, [13].
• Dina, [79], [82].
• Discovery. See [Exploration, African].
• Dunama ben Humé, king of Bornu, [12].
• Duté, [113].
• East India Company, [42].
• Ebn Batuta, [16].
• —— Khaldun, [8], [16].
• —— Said, [13], [16].
• Edris Alawoma, [13].
• —— king of Bornu, [13].
• Education, Mohammedan, [141], [249].
• Edwards, Mr. Bryan, [165], [166], [171].
• Effects of European intercourse, [50].
• Egga, [284], [296].
• Egypt, [15].
• El Bekri, [16].
• —— Edrisi, [16].
• Endeavour, the, voyage of, [46].
• English. See [Africa, English in].
• Explorers. See [Exploration].
• Exploration, African, under—
• The Nasamones, [4].
• Ebn Batuta, [16].
• Leo Africanus, [16].
• Gilianez, [21].
• Nuno Tristan, [21].
• Fernandez, [21].
• Lancelot, [21].
• Richard Thompson, [24].
• Richard Jobson, [26].
• Bartholomew Stibbs, [29].
• Ledyard, [32].
• Lucas, [32].
• Horneman, [33].
• Houghton, [33].
• Park, [46-242].
• Tuckey, [255].
• Peddie, [257].
• Campbell, [257].
• Gray, [258].
• Denham and Clapperton, [265-275].
• Clapperton and Lander, [276-281].
• The Brothers Lander, [282-287].
• Laing, [288-290].
• Caillé, [290-292].
• Barth, [297].
• Baikie, [308].
• Commercial companies, [294-332].
• Factories, [48].
• Falemé River, [34], [61], [154], [208], [210].
• Falika, [59], [60].
• Family, the, of Park, [177].
• Fatticonda, [60], [62].
• Fernandez, [21].
• Fetters of slaves, [140].
• Fevers, African, and Europeans, [208-211], [212], [214], [219], [256].
• Flegel, [317].
• Formosa River, [255].
• Fortifications, Negro, [216].
• Foulshiels, [37], [169], [187].
• French. See [Africa, French in].
• —— African Companies, [29], [313].
• Fulahs, Fulatah, or Fillani, the, [14], [59], [246-253], [328].
• —— characteristics of, [248].
• —— conquest of Sudan by, [251].
• —— history of, [248].
• —— nomadic habits, [248].
• —— pastoral life, [248].
• Fulahdu, [248].
• Fuludu Mountains, [73].
• Furkomo River. See [Bakhoy].
• Futa Jallon, district of, [291].
• —— Larra, [70].
• —— Torra, [152].
• Gallieni, Captain, [304-306].
• Gambia, commerce on, [48].
• —— exploration of, [21], [24], [26], [29], [157], [158], [198], [203].
• Gandu, [119], [253], [329].
• Ghana or Ghanata, [8], [10], [17], [192].
• Gilianez, [21].
• Gin trade, the, [50], [161], [167], [249].
• Gober, [17], [250].
• Gogo, [12], [16].
• Gold, [29].
• Goree, [161], [178], [196].
• Government, British, the, and the Niger, [296], [299], [301].
• Gray, Captain, expedition of, [258].
• Guinea, Gulf of, [255].
• Gulbi-n-Gindi River, [239], [327].
• Gum, [29].
• Gurma, [237].
• Hadj Mohammed Askia, [10].
• Hanno, expedition of, [2].
• Haussa States, [119], [193], [239], [246].
• Hawkins, [23].
• Heat, tropic, [230].
• Herodotus, [3], [4].
• Hibbert, Mr. George, [168].
• Historians, African, [3], [8], [11], [13], [16], [21].
• Horneman, [32], [178].
• Hospitality, Negro, [68], [109].
• Houghton, Major, [33].
• Ibo, the, [286].
• Inauguration of modern exploration, [31].
• Intercourse, European, effects of, [50].
• Isaaco, Park’s guide, [200], [203], [215], [226], [233], [237], [243].
• —— attacked by a crocodile, [215].
• Islam. See [Mohammedanism].
• Jalonka Wilderness, the, [137], [145-151].
• Jarra or Yarra, [75], [77], [91].
• Jenné or Jinni, [12], [119], [237], [291].
• Jillifri, [46].
• Jinbala, Island of, [119], [237].
• Joag, [65].
• Jobson, Richard, [26], [157].
• Johnson, Park’s servant, [54], [66], [79], [89], [94], [159].
• Joliba. See [Niger].
• Joloffs or Jaloffs, the, [65], [152], [249].
• Jonkakonda, [46].
• Journals, Park’s, [236], [254].
• Kaarta, district of, [72], [76].
• —— capital of, [74].
• —— Park’s reception at, [74].
• Kabara or Kabra, [16], [119], [291].
• Kajaaga, district of, [65].
• Kakundy, [291].
• Kamalia, [137].
• Kankan, [291].
• Kano, [17], [193], [275], [280].
• —— Clapperton and Oudney’s expedition to, [274].
• Karfa Taura, [137], [143], [155], [158], [159], [224].
• Kashna or Katsena, [17], [191], [193], [233].
• Kasson, district of, [68].
• Kayi, [69], [198], [200].
• Kokoro River, [145].
• Kong Mountains, [129], [255].
• Konkadu Mountains, [210].
• Kugha, [18].
• Kuka, [18], [270].
• Kullo, district of, [151].
• Kuranka, Highlands of, [288].
• Kurusa, [291].
• Kwora or Main Niger, [260].
• Laidley, Dr., [34], [47], [54], [158], [159].
• Laing, Major, [288].
• Lancelot, [21].
• Lander, Richard, [278], [280].
• Ledyard, [32].
• Leo Africanus, [16].
• Logun, district of, [274].
• Lotophagi, [77].
• Lucas, [32].
• Ludamar, district of, [75].
• —— Park’s sojourn in, [78-96].
• Macgregor Laird, [293], [299], [308].
• Mage, E., [303].
• Makrizi, [16].
• Malacotta, [152].
• Mandara Mountains, [272].
• Manding, district of, [134].
• —— famine in, [135].
• Mandingoes, [55], [160], [249].
• Manga, Denham’s expedition to, [273].
• Mangrove swamps, [46], [256], [286].
• Mansong, king of Bambarra, [108], [111], [226].
• March, a desert, [267].
• Market-place, an African, [230].
• Martyn, Lieutenant, [196], [214], [232], [238], [242].
• Medina, [33], [56], [158], [202].
• Melli, kingdom of, [10], [11].
• Modibu, [115], [122].
• Mohammedanism. [6], [8], [51], [70], [141], [161], [246], [249], [292], [323].
• —— influence of, [9], [51], [141], [161], [247], [292].
• —— propagation of, [8], [70], [141].
• —— spread of, [6], [249], [323].
• Moorish conquests, [11].
• —— idea of beauty, [89].
• Moors, [78-96], [160], [231], [239].
• Morocco, [11], [12], [15], [16].
• Mortality from fever, [208], [212], [221], [225], [229].
• Mosi, [10].
• M‘Queen, James, [17], [258], [314].
• —— quoted, [306], [310], [315], [331].
• —— theory of Niger geography, [259].
• —— views on commercial importance of Niger, [261].
• Mulai Hamed, [11].
• Mumbo Jumbo, [57].
• Murzuk in Fezzan, [265].
• Nasamones, the, expedition of, [4].
• National African Co. See [United African Co].
• Necho, expedition, of [2].
• Negro, the, and European intercourse, [50].
• Nereko River, [61], [158], [203].
• New South Wales, Park’s proposed mission to, [177].
• Niger or Joliba, the, [106], [128], [145], [224], [226], [228], [232].
• —— ancient knowledge of, [3].
• —— commercial development under—
• Macgregor Laird, [294], [299], [308], [309].
• Oldfield and Lander, [293], [295].
• Beecroft, [295].
• British Government, [296], [299].
• The French, [302-306], [312].
• The Germans, [317].
• The Royal Niger Co., [307-332].
• —— course of, [118], [254], [283], [291].
• —— delta of, [255], [286], [293].
• —— exploration of. See [Exploration, African].
• —— importance of, to Britain. See [M‘Queen].
• —— Park reaches, [106].
• —— source of, [288].
• —— supposed identity with Congo, [192], [255], [260].
• —— —— Nile, [4], [260].
• —— —— termination in interior, [192].
• —— termination of, [192], [193], [233], [235], [254], [261], [264-287].
• Nile, [4], [17], [260].
• Nun River, [293], [319].
• Nunez River, [257], [291].
• Nupé, kingdom of, [191], [193], [280], [284], [327].
• Othman dan Fodiyo, [246-252].
• —— conquest of Sudan by, [251].
• Oudney, Dr., [265], [275].
• Overweg, [298].
• Park, Mungo, early life, [36-43].
• —— choice of a profession, [40].
• —— religious convictions, [43].
• —— voyage to Sumatra, [44].
• —— connection with African Association, [45].
• —— first African expedition, [46].
• —— views on the slave trade, [49], [168].
• —— captivity among the Moors, [85].
• —— his escape, [90].
• —— reaches the Niger, [106].
• —— journey to Silla, [107].
• —— return to coast, [122].
• —— fever at Kamalia, [137].
• —— reaches the Gambia, [158].
• —— sails for England, [161].
• —— reception in England, [165].
• —— publication of journals, [166], [171].
• —— marriage, [175].
• —— proposed mission to New South Wales, [179].
• —— practises medicine in Peebles, [180].
• —— second journey, [196].
• —— proposed route, [191], [195].
• —— preparations, [186-195].
• —— voyage down Niger, [235].
• —— death, [242], [279].
• —— family of, [244].
• Park. Thomas, son of the explorer, [244].
• Peddie, Major, [257].
• Peebles, Park’s life in, [180-184].
• Pisania, [47], [200].
• Pliny, [3].
• Portuguese. See [Africa, Portuguese in].
• Products, African commercial, [160].
• Protectorate British, proclamation of, [316], [329].
• Ptolemy, [3].
• Quintin, Dr., [303].
• Rabba, [295].
• Railway between Senegal and Bammaku, [305].
• Rapids, [241], [256].
• Reception, a Sudanese, [270].
• Relics of Park, [243].
• Rennell, Major, [165], [192].
• Rennell’s Mountains, [284].
• Rey, Rio del, [255].
• Rhamadan, the month of fasting, [86], [141].
• Richard, M., and the Niger termination, [254].
• Richardson, [297], [298].
• Robbers, Park among, [130], [203], [216], [218].
• Royal Niger Company, [307-332].
• —— prospects of Niger basin under, [330].
• Ruskin’s charges against Park, [181].
• Sahara, [11], [15], [33], [265], [267], [289], [292].
• Samaku River, [208].
• Sansandig, [113], [123], [229], [230], [237], [243].
• Saphias. See [Charms].
• Scenery, African, [27], [46], [55], [65], [69], [203], [210], [213], [240], [272], [283], [320], [321].
• School, a Mohammedan, [141].
• Scott, Mr. George, [194], [214].
• —— Sir Walter’s, friendship with Park, [187].
• “Scramble for Africa,” the, [316].
• Sego, [106], [107], [226].
• —— Park’s reception at, [108].
• Senegal, the, [21], [29], [69], [145].
• —— exploration of, [29].
• —— the French on, [302].
• Senegambia, [9], [21].
• Serawulies, the, [65], [155].
• Shari River, [274].
• Shea butter, [112].
• Sibidulu, [129], [134].
• Sieur Brue, [29], [69].
• —— Denham and Toole’s expedition to, [274].
• Silla, [117], [237].
• Slave caravan, departure of a, [144].
• —— raid, a, [272].
• —— route, horrors of, [49], [143-153].
• —— ship, a, [162].
• —— trade, [23], [48], [147-149], [155], [156].
• —— Park’s views on, [49], [168], [174].
• Slaves, how obtained, [136], [140].
• Sokoto, [10], [253], [275], [327].
• Sonakies, [51].
• Song of the Negro women, [110].
• Songhay, kingdom of, [9], [10], [246], [299].
• —— kings of, [10].
• —— historians of, [11].
• Stibbs, Bartholomew, [29].
• St. Joseph, Fort, [29], [69].
• St. Louis, Fort, [29].
• Strabo, [3].
• Sudan, the, [8], [14], [269].
• —— Christianity in, [6].
• —— Denham’s expedition to, [266].
• —— early exploration of, [2].
• —— early trade with, [15].
• —— Fulah conquest of, [251].
• —— historians of, [3], [8], [11], [13], [16].
• —— Mohammedan conquest of, [6], [9], [246], [254].
• —— Moorish conquest of, [11].
• Superstitions, Negro, [56], [58], [68], [73], [121], [202], [205], [231].
• Tambaura Mountains, [211].
• Tchadda. See [Benué].
• Tenda, [29], [203].
• —— wilderness, [157], [204].
• Thompson, Richard, [24].
• Thomson, Joseph, [318-329].
• Tibbu tribes, [267].
• Timbuktu, [8], [15], [16], [48], [119], [237], [288], [291].
• —— first entered by a European, [289].
• Tombaconda or Tombakunda, [157].
• Toole, [274].
• Treaties, commercial, with Sokoto and Gandu, [329].
• Tripoli, [13], [15], [265], [275], [289].
• Tuaregs, [15], [237], [239], [289], [328].
• Tuckey, Captain, on the Congo, [255].
• Twat or Tuat, oasis of, [10], [12], [16], [289].
• United African Company, the, [312], [315], [316], [317].
• Voyage of the Catherine, [24].
• —— Endeavour, [46].
• —— Joliba, [235].
• Wadan, [13].
• Walata, [15], [16].
• Wali, district of, [33], [56], [158], [202].
• Wangara, [191], [192], [254].
• Wawra, [105].
• Wonda, [135].
• —— River, [146].
• Wuladu, [213], [217].
• Wuli, district of, [33], [56], [158], [202].
• Wulima River, [222].
• Wurnu, [327].
• Yakoba, [280].
• Yamina, [126], [228].
• Yarra. See [Jarra].
• Yauri River, [240], [327].
• Yeou River, [270].
• Yoruba, [279].
• Zeghaza, [12].