Countries that are eminently
adapted for the cultivation of cotton, coffee, sugar, and other tropical
productions will be brought within the influence of the commercial
world, and the natives, no longer kidnapped and torn from their homes,
will feel the benefits of industry, as they now feel the blessings of
protection.
It is well known that the greatest difficulties lie in the first
footsteps of a great enterprise; but those difficulties are overcome,
and patience and perseverance will at length perfect the good work. The
impression of civilization must be gradually and slowly engraved upon
Central Africa, and those who work in this apparently hopeless
undertaking must not be appalled by the difficulties of the task.
In the share that I have taken during nine years passed in Africa, I
have simply represented one of those atoms of which Great Britain is
composed. I deeply regret that personally I have not had the honour of
serving my Queen, but I trust that indirectly I have worked out that
principle, which England was the first to initiate, expressed in the
word "Freedom," which, we maintain, is the natural inheritance of man.
Mingled with the regret that I was not in the service of Her Majesty, is
the pleasure that I feel in testifying to the able manner in which the
Royal Navy was represented, throughout a long and trying expedition, by
Lieutenant Julian Alleyne Baker, R.N. This energetic young officer
rendered me the greatest assistance, and has left a vivid impression on
the minds of the natives, and of the Egyptian troops, of the activity,
and the straightforward, manly character that has always distinguished
British sailors in whatever duty they have had to perform, whether on
sea or land.
I return my acknowledgments of the faithful and courageous services of
Lieutenant-Colonel Abd-el-Kader, and other officers who accompanied me
through every difficulty with patience and devotion.
I also thank Mr. Marcopolo, my intelligent and trustworthy secretary and
chief storekeeper, at the same tune that I acknowledge the services of
those industrious English engineers and mechanics who so thoroughly
supported the well-known reputation of their class by a determination to
succeed in every work that was undertaken. Their new steamer, the
Khedive, remains upon the White Nile an example of their energy and
capability.
Lastly, I must acknowledge the able assistance that I have received, in
common with every person connected with the inland expedition, from my
wife, who cared for the sick when we were without a medical man, and
whose gentle aid brought comfort to many whose strength might otherwise
have failed. During a period of fourteen months, with a detachment of
212 officers and men, exclusive of many servants and camp-followers, I
ONLY LOST ONE MAN FROM SICKNESS, and he was at an out-station.
In moments of doubt and anxiety she was always a thoughtful and wise
counsellor, and much of my success through nine long years passed in
Africa is due to my devoted companion.
The foundation for a great future has been laid; a remote portion of the
African race hitherto excluded from the world's history has been brought
into direct communication with the superior and more civilized races;
legitimate trade has been opened; therefore, accepting commerce as the
great agent of civilization, the work is actually in progress.
Fortified posts extend to within two degrees of the equator. The
alliance with M'tese, the king of Uganda, enabled me not only to
communicate by letter (addressed to Livingstone) in the distant country
of Unyanyembe, but a reply was sent by Lieutenant Cameron, together with
large presents of ivory, to me at Gondokoro, [*] as I have been
informed by a letter from Colonel Gordon.
[*Footnote: The letter and the ivory from M'tese were received by
Colonel Gordon.]
The Khedive of Egypt, having appointed Colonel Gordon, R.E., has proved
his determination to continue the work that was commenced under so many
difficulties. The Nile has been opened to navigation; and if the
troubles that I encountered and overcame shall have smoothed the path
for my able and energetic successor, I shall have been well rewarded.
The first steps in establishing the authority of a new government in a
tribe hitherto savage and intractable were of necessity accompanied by
military operations. War is inseparable from annexation, and the law of
force, resorted to in self-defence, was absolutely indispensable to
prove the superiority of the power that was eventually to govern. The
end justified the means.
At the commencement of the expedition I had felt that the object of the
enterprise - "the suppression of the slave trade" - was one for which I
could confidently ask a blessing.
A firm belief in Providential support has not been unrewarded. In the
midst of sickness and malaria we had strength; from acts of treachery we
were preserved unharmed; in personal encounters we remained unscathed.
In the end, every opposition was overcome: hatred and insubordination
yielded to discipline and order. A paternal government extended its
protection through lands hitherto a field for anarchy and slavery. The
territory within my rule was purged from the slave trade. The natives of
the great Shooli tribe, relieved from their oppressors, clung to the
protecting government. The White Nile, for a distance of 1,600 miles
from Khartoum to Central Africa, was cleansed from the abomination of a
traffic which had hitherto sullied its waters.
Every cloud had passed away, and the term of my office expired in peace
and sunshine. In this result, I humbly traced God's blessing.
FINIS.
APPENDIX.
A few extracts from the valuable work of Dr. Schweinfurth will throw a
light upon the spirit which animated the authorities, all of whom were
incensed at my having presumed to understand the Khedive's orders
literally respecting the suppression of the slave trade.
