PROCEEDINGS, &c.

THE Committee have, at length, the pleasure to congratulate the

Association on the safe return of Mr. Park. After an absence from his native country of two years and seven months: struggling with dangers and difficulties in the African Wilderness; and sustaining hardships, under which a man of a less vigorous constitution and enduring temper must inevitably have sunk, he is safely arrived in London; and the perseverance and fortitude, the prudence, ability and sagacity, he appears to have displayed in his progress through countries and regions, into many of which it is not known that a single European has ever before penetrated, abundantly justify and confirm the favourable opinion which the Committee entertained of his merit and abilities at the outset. From the notes and memorandums which he kept as he passed, and the materials he collected as occasion offered, it is proposed, that he shall himself prepare a Journal, or Narrative, of his Progress and Discoveries; the casualties he met with, and the observations which occurred to him in the course of his journey. The intelligence he gives is interesting and important;

B

and the knowledge he has acquired, cannot fail to promote, in an eminent degree, the views and purposes of the Association.

Such a work, drawn up by his own hand, with the plainness, perspicuity and fidelity which the subject demands, will doubtless afford more satisfaction to the reader than the ablest compilation from the pen of any other person. It is apparent, however, that the necessary collation and arrangement of the materials, and the labour of reducing the whole into regular detail, will require much time and attention. This consideration has given rise to the present Memoir. For, in order to gratify, in some degree, that powerful curiosity which Mr. Park's return cannot fail to have excited in the minds of the Subscribers, it is thought advisable, that an epitome, or abstract, of his principal discoveries, should be laid before them, while the larger work is preparing. This has been attempted accordingly; and it constitutes the subject matter of the following pages.

CHAPTER I.

From Mr. PARK's leaving the River Gambia, until his Arrival at Jarra, the Frontier Town of the Moors-some Account of the Natives, &c.

N

On the 2d of December, 1795, as was related in a former Memoir, ON Mr. Park took his departure from the hospitable mansion of Doctor Laidley, at Pisania,* on the banks of the river Gambia, and directed his course easterly, for the kingdom of Woolli. He was accompanied by two Negro servants, natives of the country; one of whom spoke English tolerably well, and served him as interpreter; the other was a boy presented to him by Dr. Laidley. This benevolent friend procured him likewise a horse for himself, and two asses for his servants. His baggage was light, consisting chiefly of provisions for two days; and a small assortment of beads, amber, and tobacco, for the purchase of a fresh supply, as he proceeded: a few changes of linen, and other necessary apparel, an umbrella, a pocket sextant, a magnetick compass, and a thermometer, together with two fowling pieces, two pair of pistols, and some other small articles, made up the remainder.

The kingdom of Woolli, to which our traveller was now proceeding, is bounded by Walli on the west, by the Gambia on the south, by the small river Walli on the north-west, Bondou on the northeast, and on the east, by the Simbani Wildnerness. It is a flat,

* In lat. 13° 35', about 200 miles from the mouth of the Gambia.

though not a swampy country, exceedingly woody; but at the same time affording excellent pasturage, as was apparent from the great number of its horned cattle. There were likewise fields of Indian corn; but neither wheat nor barley, nor any other of the grains of Europe.

The inhabitants are chiefly Mandingoes, and seem to be a well disposed and peaceable race. The religion of Mahomet has made a considerable progress among them; but a great majority, and the king himself, continue in the paganism of their ancestors, and are called Soninkees, or men who drink strong liquors. The Mahometans are called Bushereens.

The capital town is named Medina, and Mr. Park reached it on the third day; after passing through several villages, the principal of which were, Jendi and Kootacunda. The sovereign, or chief, was named Jatta; the same venerable old man, of whose attention and courtesy so favourable an account was given by Major Houghton, in his letter of March 10th, 1791. He received Mr. Park with kindness, and treated him with hospitality, during two days that he remained in his capital; and as the strongest proof of his good will and sincerity, endeavoured, with great earnestness, to persuade him not to prosecute his journey any farther; by pointing out the dangers and difficulties he would have to encounter in his progress. Finding, however, that his remonstrances had no effect, he furnished our traveller with a guide to Bondou, and suffered him to depart.

Leaving Medina, Mr. Park proceeded onwards, nearly in Major Houghton's track; and on the 21st of December he reached Fatte

• Vide Postscript to the former Memoir.

conda, the capital of the kingdom of Bondou (formerly part of the kingdom of Bambouk) on the eastern bank of the river Falemé.

Bondou is inhabited principally by Foulahs; a race of Negroes, who lead a wandering life, and employ themselves chiefly in the pasturage of cattle: there are however a great number of Mandingoes among them; by whom the trade of the country is chiefly conducted. The king was a Soninkee, or pagan, like the king of Woolli, but he had adopted the Moorish name of Almami; and, with the name, seems to have imbibed also somewhat of the Moorish disposition; for, although our traveller had presented to him his umbrella, and some other articles, he compelled him, as he had compelled Major Houghton, to strip in his presence, and surrender his coat; which, he said, he should reserve for his own wearing, on great and publick festivals. In return, however, he gave Mr. Park five minkallies (drams) of gold-dust, and loaded him with provisions.

Departing from Fatteconda on the 23d of December, our traveller proceeded, the two following days, to a place called Joag, in the kingdom of Kajaaga; a country which is bounded on the north by the Senegal river. The king's residence is at Maana, within a short distance of the ruins of Fort St. Joseph; where the French had formerly a small factory. The natives are called Sera-Woollies, and seem to be pure Negroes, without any Moorish admixture, and are naturally of a mild and docile disposition. The appearance of a white man among them excited infinite curiosity and speculation. The king commanded that he should be brought before him; and it was with some difficulty that Mr. Park, who had been cautioned to avoid him, declined the interview, and got out of his dominions with the loss of about one half of his goods and apparel.