I had the good fortune, in 1824, to take a journey among the people who inhabit the smiling banks of the Senegal: from that period I projected an attempt to explore central Africa, to visit the towns of Jenné and Timbuctoo, in hopes if possible to surpass the English who had so far outstripped us in this career. Having been unable to obtain a mission from the Government of the Senegal, I determined to part with all my resources, convinced that on my return, the services I might have rendered would be recognized by Government; I realized then the small means which I possessed, the fruits of economy, and made preparations for my departure. On the 19th of April, 1827, I quitted Kakondy upon the Rio-Nuñez, in company with a caravan of Mandingo merchants going to the Niger. Thanks to the Arab costume and to the religion of the country which I outwardly embraced, the numerous difficulties attendant on this laborious journey were overcome; and to this disguise I owe the success of my expedition. I crossed without obstacle the high mountains of the Senegambia, the countries of Baleya, Kankan, and Ouassoulo. I was compelled to reside five months at Timé, a village of Mahometan Mandingoes, situated in the southern part of Bambara, being detained by a severe illness which had nearly proved fatal. On the 9th of January, 1828, I was able to proceed on my journey. I visited the island and town of Jenné; and afterwards embarked upon the Niger, on board a vessel of sixty tons burden going to Timbuctoo, where I arrived after a month’s tedious navigation. This town is situated five miles to the north of Cabra, in a plain of quicksand, where nothing grows but stunted shrubs: I resided there fourteen days. I inspected the town and took a sketch of it; I studied the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and the commerce and resources of the country; then taking a northern direction to cross the great desert, I arrived at el-Araouan. This town is six days’ journey north of Timbuctoo: it is the emporium of salt which is exported thence to Sansanding and Yamina, and is situated in a country still more sterile than even that about Timbuctoo. Not a shrub is to be seen; and camel dung is used for fuel. The burning east wind which constantly prevails renders this a very disagreeable abode. I continued my route northwards, and reached the Wells of Telig, after eight days’ journey from el-Araouan. Here we quenched our thirst and proceeded north north west into the heart of the desert: here the soil is most barren, composed of moving sand and rocks of grey quartz veined with white; there is also a little granite. After two months’ journey in this horrible country, I reached the Tafilet, a small district forming part of the empire of Marocco, and passed through Fez, Mequinaz, Rabat, and Tangier, where I was received by M. Delaporte, Vice-Consul of France, who lavished upon me all the assistance of which I stood so much in need. I soon after embarked in the king’s schooner La Légère, which conveyed me to Toulon, where I have been twenty-two days in quarantine. I am convalescent and without means of support, having exhausted all in an arduous journey of sixteen months.
I am, etc.
Signed A. Caillié.
After having heard the preceding communications at the meeting of the 17th of October, the central committee of the Geographical Society decided unanimously, that a first pecuniary indemnity should be immediately sent to M. Auguste Caillié, and that extracts from these letters should be printed in a supplement to the 66th Bulletin.
Letter of M. Delaporte to the President of the Geographical Society.
Tangier, 3rd October 1828.
Mr. President,
To communicate to you that a European has just conquered in Africa, for the Geographical Society, a vast extent of territory, is to impart good news both to you and the Society; but the announcement that this European is a Frenchman will render it still more agreeable.
One of our countrymen, M. Auguste Caillié, has acquired for the Society all the territories situated between Rio-Nuñez, (Sierra Leone) and Tangier, that is to say between the Ocean and the Mediterranean. He has visited the towns of Kankan, Jenné, Timbuctoo, and Araouan. He sojourned fourteen days at Timbuctoo. His house was within a few doors of that which had been inhabited by the unfortunate Major Laing. He has employed sixteen months upon this labour and in collecting the materials with which he has enriched his wallet. Nothing disheartened him, neither refusal, nor disgust, nor fatigue, nor danger; his vocation, as he has frequently repeated to me, demanded that he should cross Africa; he followed it and has solved the problem that a European may traverse this continent, a problem, the impossibility of which appeared all but demonstrated. He travelled without ostentation; and I saw a mendicant Dervish, with his leathern wallet at his back, seated at the threshold of my door, and extending to me, not the hand of indigence, not the hand of that misery of which he bore the livery, but of a compatriot, addressing himself to a servant of the King of France, and requiring his protection. He obtained it, Sir; it was afforded to him by me, in the character of temporary administrator of the General Consulate of France, to the utmost of my power; and thanks to the co-operation of the Chevalier de Luneau, commander of the French naval station off Cadiz, who had the complaisance to send me a king’s ship, I have saved the traveller and his papers. Lieutenant Jollivet received M. Caillié on board the king’s schooner La Légère, which he commands; and on the 28th of last September he set sail for Toulon where he will perform his quarantine.
Two departments, those of Foreign Affairs and of the Marine, have contributed to restore a Frenchman to his native country, and to acquire for the Society over which you preside a modest traveller, whose enterprise will reflect lustre upon it.