Far be it from me to conceive the idea of detracting from the merit of this bold and adventurous traveller, or to blame the just pride which he feels at having brought his enterprise to a happy termination; but the justice which is due to the memory of another traveller, who has perished by the barbarous hand of an assassin, calls upon me to shew you, Sir, that M. Caillié is neither the only, nor the first European who has visited Timbuctoo.
The late Major Laing was the first who reached Timbuctoo, as I shall prove by the most indisputable authority—namely his own hand-writing, and that of his servant, who is now at Tripoli. In a letter, dated Timbuctoo, September 21, 1826, addressed to the Consul, Mr. Warrington, now lying before me, the Major says that he arrived in this city on the 18th of the preceding month; that he intended to quit it the day following the date of his letter, that is to say, on the 22nd September and to proceed on the road to Ségo: he then enters into many details relative to this city, and gives a great number of curious documents which he had collected on the subject, and other materials, which will without doubt be one day published.
He accordingly left Timbuctoo, on the 22nd September, with a small caravan, having only one Arab servant; on the third evening he was joined by several Arabs belonging to the caravan, and afterwards basely massacred. It happened that the above-mentioned letter, written from Timbuctoo, was in the possession of his servant. His baggage was entirely pillaged, and his journal and numerous papers carried off; but we have still hopes that they will be recovered. The servant has undergone the most rigorous examination; he is firm and consistent in all his answers; and I regret to say that there is great reason to suppose that this enterprising traveller fell a victim to the traitorous and barbarous Bello, who behaved so scandalously to Captain Clapperton.
I therefore hope from your justice, as a man devoted to the sciences, and particularly to geography, and as President of the Central Committee, that you will give the same publicity to this communication as has been given to the fortunate result of the meritorious enterprise of M. Caillié.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your very obedient servant,
John Barrow.