APPENDIX XV
Philip Askell Benton translation
SELECTIONS FROM UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE
Regarding Oudney, Denham, and Clapperton’s Mission to Bornu in 1821-4
The following extracts are taken from the Tripoli Consular Correspondence, now in the Record Office, and from papers in the archives of the Royal Geographical Society. The latter are distinguished by the letters [R. G. S.].
The following ‘précis’ from the accounts given of the travellers in the Dictionary of National Biography and in Nelson (vid. List of Authorities) will help to elucidate the extracts.[556]
Walter Oudney (1790-1824), born of humble parents in Edinburgh, where he picked up sufficient knowledge of medicine to become a surgeon’s mate on board a man-of-war. 1814 promoted surgeon. At the Peace he returned to Edinburgh, graduated M.D., when his inaugural dissertation was ‘de Dysenteria Orientali’, and set up in private practice. Studied Chemistry and Natural History, and had hopes of being appointed University lecturer on Botany. He contributed a paper to the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal for July, 1820, entitled ‘Cases of “Ileus” from a twist of the Colon’. Appointed to the African Mission 1821, died at Murmur near Katagum on January 12, 1824. Mrs. Larymore, in A Resident’s Wife in Nigeria, p. 97, states that his grave is still pointed out by the natives. Nelson says that Oudney asked Clapperton to hand his papers to Barrow, i.e. Sir John Barrow, Secretary to the Admiralty, who edited the account of Clapperton’s Second Expedition. In the Introduction to the account of the First Expedition, however, Denham states that Oudney practically left no papers. Nelson fears they may have been lost, but remembering Oudney’s constant ill health, I think it is quite possible that there were none beyond the few rough notes, half illegible and of little interest, which are now among the Denham papers in the R. G. S. Oudney is described as of middle stature and slight build, with a pale, grave face, pleasing manners, and possessed of much enterprise and perseverance. He was never married. In a letter to a friend from Mourzouk, quoted by Nelson, Clapperton says that ‘Oudney is much admired by the local ladies for the blackness of his beard, and myself for the strength of my moustachoes’. Oudney, in a postscript on the same sheet, says, ‘Clapperton is a strange-looking figure with his long sandy-coloured beard and moustachoes’.
Dixon Denham (1786-1828), educated at Merchant Taylors School. Articled to a solicitor, but in 1811 joined the army in the Peninsula as a volunteer with the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In May, 1812, was appointed a Second Lieutenant in that corps; promoted to First Lieutenant in 1813. Distinguished himself at the battle of Toulouse by carrying Sir James Douglas, commanding a Portuguese brigade, out of fire when that officer had lost his leg. The following copy of a letter from General Douglas to Col. Arbuthnot is among the Denham papers in the R. G. S.:
My dear Arbuthnot,
I am very sensible of the Marshal’s[557] kindness in desiring me to recommend any officers of my Brigade to him who may have distinguished themselves in the late affair. I avail myself of his permission to mention for the third time Brigade-Major Maher and Lieutenant Denham of the 8th Regt., my aide-de-camp. If His Excellency can in any way be useful to Lt. Denham it will be a circumstance peculiarly grateful to me. He is an officer I have lived in habits of the strictest intimacy with—and whose conduct and attentions on the 10th[558] I am totally at a loss how to repay.
Signed J. Douglas,
Commg. 7th Brigade.[559]
Toulouse, 13 April, 1814.
To
Col. Arbuthnot,
Mily. Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.
Transferred to the 54th Foot,[560] who were in reserve at Huy during the battle of Waterloo. In 1819 he entered the senior department of the Royal Military College. In Oct. 1821 he purchased a company in the 3rd Buffs. In Nov. 1821 he was put on half-pay, given the local rank of Major in Africa, and sent to join the African Mission. Amongst other things, he explored part of the shores of Lake Chad, which he named Lake Waterloo. He returned to England in June, 1825, and was promoted to a majority in the 17th Foot.[561] In Nov. 1826 he was given an unattached lieutenant-colonelcy, and sent to Sierra Leone as superintendent of liberated Africans[562] on the West Coast. In 1828 he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the colony of Sierra Leone, but died there of fever in May of the same year.
It is perhaps of some interest to note that Denham appears to have been very modern in his ideas of the proper way of keeping in health in the tropics. In letters to his brother [R. G. S.], written before they left Mourzouk, he mentions that he always rises before sunrise, takes horse-exercise, is very careful about where he gets his drinking and even his bathing water from, and also says that he has a daily shower-bath, made by pouring water through a wooden box with holes bored in it.
Hugh Clapperton (1788-1827), born at Annan in Dumfriesshire, son of George Clapperton, surgeon.[563] At thirteen he was apprenticed as a cabin-boy in a ship trading between Liverpool and America. He showed his spirit by refusing to black the captain’s shoes. He was charged with a petty act of smuggling at Liverpool, and sent on board the naval tender, which carried him to Plymouth, where he was made cook’s mate. Eventually, through the interest of his uncle in the Marines,[564] he was made a midshipman, and served off the coast of Spain and in the East Indies. On his way out to the East Indies he was ordered to take charge of a boat which was sent to the relief of a ship in distress. The boat was capsized and all the occupants drowned, except Clapperton and one other. As he was being hoisted on board again, ‘he had his feelings strongly excited, on hearing the wives of the Scottish soldiers on board exclaiming, “Thank Heaven, it is na our ain kintryman, the bonny muckle midshipman that’s drownded after a’!—”’
In the East Indies he joined the Clorinde, one of whose officers was Mr. Mackenzie, youngest son of Lord Seaforth. Clapperton formed a great friendship with this young man and nursed him through a dangerous illness. Mackenzie eventually went home and died, but particularly asked his mother, Lady Seaforth, to treat Clapperton as her own son. She did all in her power to help Clapperton when he returned to England, but, according to Nelson, Clapperton was too proud and touchy to accept much. He had been deeply wounded by an insinuation of his messmates that he was a tuft-hunter.
At the storming of Port Louis, Isle of France, in Nov. 1810, he was the first in the breach and hauled down the French colours. He was next sent to Canada and was cast away off the coast of Labrador, and lost the use of the first joint of his left thumb from frost-bite; the thumb became crooked and Clapperton got the nickname of ‘Hooky’. This is Nelson’s account, but in the memoir by Clapperton’s uncle prefixed to the account of his second expedition, it is stated that he lost his thumb when trying to carry a boy during a retreat across the Canadian Lakes over the ice.
At one time Clapperton thought of marrying an Indian princess and settling in Canada. He used to give great feasts to the Indians, and indeed this led to a deficiency in his accounts to the victualling department. This deficiency was afterwards deducted from his half-pay and involved him in financial difficulties, from which he was not altogether relieved until his return from his first African expedition.
Whilst serving on the Canadian Lakes he used to have a hole broken in the ice for him to bathe every morning, but could not persuade any of his companions to join him.
He used to decorate his log-book with sketches of the sails carried by his ship day by day, together with sketches of the coast, harbours, &c. The officers who examined him for his promotion to lieutenant were so struck with this log-book that they sent it to the Admiralty, where it still remains.[565] He was promoted lieutenant in 1816.
In 1817 he returned to England on half-pay and became acquainted with Dr. Oudney. Nelson tells an amusing story of how Clapperton was taken in by a swindler. This gentleman, who represented himself to be a minister of religion anxious to pay his tailor’s bill, borrowed £10 from Clapperton, and in return asked him to dinner at Barclay’s Hotel in Edinburgh.
‘An excellent dinner was set upon the table and discussed. Madeira, champaign and other expensive wines were called for, and the two got cheerful, joyous, happy, glorious. At length the swindler made a pretence for going out a little, and Clapperton found he had to pay £2 or £3 for the dinner as well as the original loan, which he never saw again.
He was appointed to the African Mission in 1821, returned to England in June, 1825, and was promoted Commander. In the same year he was sent out on a second expedition, whose object was to reach Sokoto from the West Coast. Clapperton reached Sokoto, but died at Chungary or Jungavie, near Sokoto, in April, 1827.[566] The account of his expedition was published by his servant, Richard Lander. Clapperton had a noble figure; he was six feet high and broad-chested.[567] He never married.
It will probably have been fairly obvious to any one who reads between the lines of Denham and Clapperton’s account of their travels, that their relations were not altogether harmonious. That they were not so is abundantly clear from the Tripoli Consular Correspondence and the Denham papers in the R. G. S., in fact, for a great part of the time they seem hardly to have been on speaking terms. Doubtless there were faults on both sides, though on the whole the correspondence leads one to side with Denham. Clapperton himself admits in his journal on the road to Sokoto during his second expedition that he was not a mild-tempered man.[568] Oudney, his bosom friend, calls him ‘a rough diamond’, and he appears to have been clearly in the wrong in refusing to obey Denham’s orders, though the latter was very likely not tactful. It was not unnatural, though it may sound snobbish, that the ex-A.D.C. to one of Wellington’s brigadiers should find himself little in sympathy with the ex-cabin-boy[569] and the self-taught surgeon’s mate, both of them Scotchmen, a fact little likely to prejudice an Englishman of those days in their favour. In a private letter to his brother Charles, now in the R. G. S., Denham remarks of Oudney: ‘Neither had his professional or pleasurable pursuits ever placed him in any other situations than the gun-room of a man-of-war and his rooms in Edinburgh, twice on a horse in his life, and except by water I think he had never travelled 30 miles from Edinburgh.’
In another private letter to his brother Charles he calls him ‘Dominie Sampson with more cunning’. In another, apropos of Clapperton, he laments that a ‘gentleman’ had not been chosen as his assistant.
On Feb. 1, 1822, before they left Tripoli, Denham proposed to his companions in writing that Europeans—except Dr. Oudney, who would be busy with scientific work—should take it in turn to be ‘on guard’, or, as we might say, ‘officer of the day’, for twenty-four hours. Duties—to see sentries posted, stores issued, &c., &c. Dr. Oudney objected and the scheme was not adopted. Oudney and Clapperton considered the proposal of too ‘martial a nature’, and seem to have thought Denham was trying to ‘boss’ them.
Denham was, indeed, far from conciliatory, and there is a most offensive letter from him to Clapperton, written some time after their arrival at Kuka, in which he plainly states that he considers Clapperton’s conduct throughout to have been unworthy of an officer and a gentleman, and suggests that he shall mend his ways. The breach was very much widened when Clapperton discovered that Denham had not informed him of a charge of the grossest immorality that had been made against him by some of the Arabs of the caravan. This is the charge referred to in the Sheikh’s[570] letter to Clapperton printed on p. 430 of vol. ii of the Travels. Denham afterwards wrote a formal statement disclaiming any belief whatever in the charge, and explaining that the strained relations existing between them had made him unwilling to mention the subject.
The real fault of the matter lay with the Home Government, who had not made the powers and position of the various members of the expedition sufficiently clear; hence the jealousy and distrust, without which the materials brought back by the Mission would probably have been more ample than was actually the case. Denham and Clapperton were both fine specimens of their respective Services, and deserve equal honour and credit. The extracts from correspondence will now be intelligible.
The travelling names of the various members of the Mission were as follows:
Major Denham. Rais Khaleel.
Dr. Oudney. Tibeeb.
Clapperton. Abdulla.
Toole. Rais Ali.
Tyrwhitt. Taïr.
Hillman. Ali.
(a) Disagreements
Extract from official letter of Colonel Hanmer Warrington, British Consul-General at Tripoli, to Robert Wilmot, Esq., M.P., Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated Tripoli, July 4, 1822.
. . . . . . . . . .
PS.—Much difficulty has already arisen and much undoubtedly will arise unless one Gentleman is appointed as the Head of the Expedition, as opinions, Interest, and private Feeling will always clash and prove detrimental to the Public Service. Pray excuse the observation.
H. W.
Extract from letter of Capt. Clapperton to Consul Warrington, dated Morzuk, September 10, 1822.
. . . A word for the Major, he has gone[571] without ever having communicated to us his intentions directly or indirectly, and left me without any instructions. I shall be silent upon his Conduct any further than his loss will be a gain to his country. . . .
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Sockna, October 11, 1822.
. . . Dr. Oudney’s natural disposition leads him prematurely to suspect a want of good Faith in those around him; the feeling may be pardonable while it continues to be an unexpressed one, and the Slight disagreements that have existed between us, I say slight because on my part I am sure there was nothing personal in our differences, hardly deserve such insinuations as are thrown in the letter he writes to you.
It is a feeling however that has been rankling in his Breast ever since the day of his appointment, when they wrote him from the Colonial Office to say that Clapperton might accompany the Expedition as my assistant, while he was to consider himself as Consul at Bornou.[572]
This feeling is anything but in unison with the mildness of the Dr. exterior, and unjust towards me, as I was not the framer of my own Instructions. . . .
On our joining the party at Memoon I found that Clapperton had commenced Sketching the route, and from delicacy to him I abstained from interfering in any way, as by so doing I must have taken some of the Credit which I was willing exclusively should attach to himself.
I have differed in opinion from Dr. Oudney and do so still on some points, but this arises, I may say entirely, from my taking the Instructions of Lord Bathurst as the Basis upon which I act, and his, to use his own expression, endeavouring to forget that he ever received any. . . .
Extract from letter of Dr. Oudney to Consul Warrington, dated Mourzouk, October 12, 1822.
. . . My worthy friend Clapperton is quite disgusted with his [i.e. Denham’s] returning and threatens to return, but I hope I will be able to prevail. . . . Clapperton’s loss would be that of a rough diamond which could not be found in a country such as this. . . .
Letter from Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot, Esq.
Private.
Tripoli, Nov. 4, 1822.
Sir,
I have abstained for some time past acquainting you with a Hostile Disposition existing in the Southern Mission. I think it would be culpable in me, if I were to delay any longer offering my opinion, and which I conceive ought to be done by the medium of a private Letter.
I have therefore the honour to refer you to the accompanying copies of Letters which will speak for themselves.
I fear that Rancorous feeling may militate against the Public Interest, and I am inclined to think, that in the present, as well as in similar cases, blame may attach to each Party.
The Bone of Contention appears to be the great jealousy which has from the first manifested itself between Dr. Oudney and Major Denham, and probably the Breach has been widened by various paragraphs in the News Papers, saying that the Mission is under the Immediate direction and auspices of the latter.
For my own part I conceive their Instructions are clear enough, and that the Orders of those Gentlemen are perfectly distinct, and ought not to cause any division of feeling, or friendly understanding.
I am certain it is impossible to reconcile these Gentlemen, and I should strongly recommend that Lt. Clapperton should be attached to Dr. Oudney. They are countrymen, very Old Friends, and Dr. Oudney has undoubtedly the most commanding Influence over Lieut. Clapperton.
They are prosecuting their Duty with the most zealous Exertion. . . .
It was impossible to have selected two People so well suited to the Service. . . .
Major Denham is of a different cast of character, and is more the Man of the World, and He both thinks and acts widely different, but at the same time he evinces every Disposition and Inclination to perform His part of the Interesting Research. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot, Esq., dated Tripoli, December 31, 1822.
. . . In Quarrels Blame may attach to each Party, and I think that it is the case in the Present Instance. The Great Bone of Contention appears to me a jealousy as to whom the Mission is confided to. I think the Orders and Instructions speak for themselves, which clearly show that Oudney and Denham are distinct and separate, it being the duty of the Former from his Official appointment to afford every facility and to give every assistance to the latter. . . .
Extract from letter of Dr. Oudney to Consul Warrington, dated Bilma, January 14, 1823.
. . . My worthy friend Clapperton and the Major have had a little quarrel on the subject of duty. The latter was pleased to issue orders, rather too much of the field, directing Clapperton to give him from time to time, when he might require, the Latitude of the different places and the different courses. He refused to obey, and here the matter rests. He (C.) came out as his companion, not to be subjected to the whim of any man. He had been abandoned in Mourzouk, but notwithstanding that and the martial tenor of the orders, he in his spirited reply told him he would assist when he called upon him, but would in no respect perform what it was the other’s to execute. I allowed my friend to settle the business himself, and I am well pleased with the manner he has conducted the affair. . . .
Extract from letter of Capt. Clapperton to Consul Warrington, dated Bilma, January 14, 1823.
. . . The Major has taken upon himself a very extraordinary authority in writing to me on service to give up to him copies of my courses and obsns since we left Morzuk which I have very politely refused to do . . . I allowed him to copy all my obsns up to Morzuk before he left that place for Tripoli, as he is not able to take any himself. After the cruel and un-Englishlike abandonment of me at that place without leaving me his instructions, writing to say he was gone, or how I was to act, can this man expect that I will allow him to take the credit of what I do? No, I engaged to come out as his companion and assistant, not to do the whole of the duty for which he was sent out to do, and which he would claim as his own. Were I to do myself and my country so much injustice as to give him a copy—he has been educated at his country’s expense, let them see what he can do, and I will let them see what I can do who never cost them sixpence for my education[573] and am anxious to let the world know who that Lt. Clapperton is whom he mentioned in the papers along with his own as if by accident . . . I cannot say when you will see me again, for though the Major may and will return, as his zeal is all wind, I shall do or die if they will let us into the country. . . .
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Bilma, January 14, 1823.
. . . Mr. Clapperton by that consequential stupidity, for I know not what else to call it, made himself so unpopular that Boo Khaloom[574] has long since ceased to notice him even by a common salute, and the Arab Sheikh scarcely speaks to him; except with the lowest Arabs and the servants of the Kaflé he converses with no one. He has thrown off all controul and refused to act under my orders by Letters which I shall send you copies of the first opportunity. I told him for his own sake I hoped he would alter his determination, that for me it was a matter of little importance, he nevertheless persisted and the consequences must fall on his own head. The Doctor, who says but little since his illness, took no part in the business—before the curtain—but I verily believe they both thought I should be sadly distressed at this declaration of my assistant. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot, Esq., dated Tripoli, March 31, 1823.
I have just received Letters from the Travellers which are generally speaking of a very satisfactory nature, altho’ that Hostile Feeling between Major Denham and Lt. Clapperton appears so much to have increased that I feel myself fully authorized to avail myself of the Conditional Power Invested in me, in your Dispatch of the 12th Janry. last.
I send copies of the Letters I have received with my answers. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Dr. Oudney, dated Tripoli, March 31, 1823.
. . . With regret I perceive it is hopeless to anticipate a favourable termination to the misunderstanding between Major Denham and Lt. Clapperton. It is not for me to give my opinion of right or wrong, but it is my duty to endeavour to prevent the public service suffering, and rendering abortive the views of His Majesty’s Government, and the most effectual way I conceive to be to remove Lt. Clapperton from Major Denham and exclusively attach him to you. He will therefore consider himself justified in acting with you independent of Major Denham, and I hereby attach the whole responsibility on myself by the assumption of such power, and I feel persuaded that the Earl Bathurst will approve of the decision. . . .
I shall write both Major Denham and Lt. Clapperton on the subject of the latter being removed from the former, and to prevent mistakes you will be pleased to consider this as official. I think you acted wisely not to become a party in the embroil. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Major Denham, dated Tripoli, March 31, 1823.
. . . It will afford you infinite pleasure to learn that the Bone of Contention is removed, His Majesty’s Govt. having most handsomely accommodated matters by placing Lieut. Clapperton under the exclusive orders of Dr. Oudney, and I am commissioned by Earl Bathurst to signify that His Lordship deems it advisable on Public Grounds at the same time that Mr. Tyrwhitt is authorized to join you in the place of Mr. Clapperton.
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated ‘Kouka in the Kingdom of Bornou, 4 April 1823, Thermr 104 in the Hut’.
Mr. Clapperton has made great havock amongst the Gazelles, but it is meat I love not, neither do I the sport, for you are obliged to lay about for hours under the trees in order to catch these poor animals asleep, when you get a shot; this appears to me not giving the animal a fair chance. I have hit but one and he gave me such a look with his soft black eye—which has a wonderful brilliancy—that I vowed to sin no more in that way at least. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Major Denham, dated Tripoli, July 11, 1823.
. . . I trust in God the very circumstance of Clapperton being removed to Dr. Oudney will be the means of restoring Friendship and good will. I am ordered to convey to you both the Displeasure and animadversion of His Majesty’s Govt. and you may both depend if this Hostile disposition still continues it will be fatal to the future Prospect of you both, and there is a handsome delicacy in making me the medium of conveying this Disapprobation, probably not wishing to wound your feelings, in such a remote situation. Let me beg and entreat you will meet each other halfway and accommodate this affair. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
PS.—Probably my expressions not being sufficiently strong as alluding to the misunderstanding between you and Lt. Clapperton, I beg leave to intimate to you both the strong sense which is entertained of the Impropriety of your Conduct by His Majesty’s Government.
[A letter in similar terms was sent by Warrington to Clapperton.]
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Dr. Oudney, dated Tripoli, August 1, 1823.
Three days since I received your Despatch of the 15th May. . . .
I trust Denham and Clapperton are reconciled, as I do not see any symptoms of hostility in this communication. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Dr. Oudney, dated August 25, 1823.
Sir,
This letter will be delivered into your Hands by Ensign Toole of the 80th Regiment, a most Gentlemanly Young Man and agreeable Companion. . . . He is expressly sent as an assistant to Major Denham instead of Lt. Clapperton, who is attached to you. . . .
I send Major Denham 350$ by Mr. Toole as it must be unpleasant to Him to apply to you on every trifling occasion, and I have given Mr. Toole 139$ for the same purpose. . . .
Extract from letter of Clapperton to Warrington, dated Kuka, Dec. 10, 1823.
. . . I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter when I was laid up, which added much to my Recovery, and Denham’s civilities to me when sick has made matters as well as they can be in this country. . . .
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Mourzouk, Nov. 25, 1824.
. . . It would be the extreme of Injustice were I not now to state that after the recovery of Mr. Clapperton from his very severe sickness until his departure for Soudan, so great an improvement took place in the understanding between us, that our Evenings were passed in front of poor Dr. Oudney’s hut, who was unable to sit in the Air, with a degree of sociability which had not existed since my return to Fezzan with Bookhaloom.[575] Subsequent to Mr. Clapperton’s return from Soudan the same cordiality has been preserved, he has indeed been uniformly attentive and willing to afford me every assistance during the tedious and fatiguing journey we have made together. . . .
(b) Tyrwhitt and Toole
The following extracts concern the two young men who were sent up at a later date to strengthen the Mission.
Letter from Dr. Oudney to Consul Warrington.
Tripoli, Dec. 10, 1821.
Sir,
You already know my sentiments on the importance of having a British Resident at Mourzouk, and Capt. Denham agrees with me in stating that the Greatest Benefit may be expected by us from such an Agent. By such an arrangement our communication with you will be kept up, and as you judiciously remark, should Sickness or any unforeseen occurrence compel us to fall back, a safe Asylum shall be found at Mourzouk. We cannot but commend your choice of Mr. John Tyrwhitt. He appears to be a Gentleman well calculated for such a situation, and he will undoubtedly support with Credit the name and character of the British Nation.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedt
Hble Servt,
Walter Oudney.
Hr Warrington, Esq.,
Consul General,
Tripoli.
Letter from Consul Warrington to Earl Bathurst.
Tripoli, 12 December, 1821.
My Lord,
I have already had the honour to recommend to your Lordship’s consideration the appointment of a resident Vice-Consul at Mourzouk.
The good arising to the expedition under the direction of Dr. Oudney and Capt. Denham is so obvious from that appointment that I shall only refer your Lordship to the accompanying papers Nos. 1 and 2, and I trust the nomination of Mr. John Tyrwhitt to that situation will meet with your approbation.
He is cousin to Sir Thos. Tyrwhitt and Nephew to the Champion and a Gentlemanly Quiet young Man, and by not Trading in any shape He is not likely to excite suspicion and jealousy.
I mention Mr. Tyrwhitt’s pedigree, my Lord, from a thorough conviction that the higher a Man’s connections are, the less He thinks of dangers and difficulties and can endure Privations better than other Men. With every sentiment of the highest consideration,
I have the honour
to be, My Lord,
Your Faithful &
obt servt,
Hanmer Warrington.
The Right Honble
Earl Bathurst, K.G.,
His Majesty’s Secretary of State,
&c., &c., &c.,
Colonial Office.
[The appointment of a Vice-Consul at Mourzouk was negatived by a letter from the Treasury to the Colonial Office dated January 17, 1822, on the ground that the probable advantages would not justify the grant of the salary.]
The next extract—though of a previous date—shows who Mr. John Tyrwhitt was.
Extract from letter of Mr. Tyrwhitt, Senr., to Consul Warrington, dated Cook’s, April 12, 1818.
My dear Warrington,
As it is an object of the highest importance to me to get my son John abroad for some time . . . I know not any one so proper to make an application to on this occasion as yourself. . . . He has been very wild and extravagant. . . . He is now out of the Navy. . . . I wish him to have the least possible pocket money as he has a great propensity to extravagance. . . .
[It appears that Col. Warrington owed Mr. Tyrwhitt, Senr., £500, on which he had to pay interest at the rate of 14% per annum. Mr. Tyrwhitt asks Warrington to take his son into his family and keep an eye on him: in return he is willing to waive the 14% per annum, i.e. about £70. The son remained with Col. Warrington for three years, to whom he appears to have been a source of considerable expense.]
Extract of letter from Tyrwhitt to Warrington, dated Mourzouk, July 25, 1822.
I am not much disappointed at not being confirmed. . . . However, to make the best of it, it is a long way to come for nothing, not even thanks. I suppose the Doctor will pay my expenses down. I must not return to Tripoli empty-handed, for there are some fine ostrich feathers here, and I had promised both my Mother and Sister to send them some. . . .
Extract of letter from Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot, Esq., M.P., Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated Tripoli, August 26, 1822.
. . . I conclude Dr. Oudney will take Mr. Tyrwhitt along with him as a volunteer, as from his easy good-natured Disposition, ever alert to make Himself useless [sic], I feel persuaded Dr. Oudney could not have a better person. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot, Esq., dated Tripoli, Nov. 4, 1822.
. . . Two more Gentlemen would be of very important advantage to Dr. Oudney, as he has a wide Field indeed to act upon. . . . I can send them from Tripoli to Bornou for 100£ provided they travel as Mr. Tyrwhitt did from Mourzouk. I believe that Gentleman would be happy to make one of such a Party, and Dr. Oudney wishes to have him with the Mission. . . .
[Tyrwhitt, however, returned to Tripoli and went for a trip to Italy.]
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Lieut. Clapperton, dated Tripoli, July 11, 1823.
. . . I hope to send Tyrwhitt off immediately, as I am in daily expectation of seeing him, unless Spider-like he may possibly entangle himself in his own Webb, as it is said a lady of that name has a little influence. My patience is near exhausted, and if he does not come, I shall be much displeased with him. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot Horton, Esq.,[576] Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
Tripoli, 18 July, 1823.
Sir,
I have the honor to refer you to No. 1, being a copy of a Letter from Mr. Tyrwhitt, who from sickness is prevented repairing to Bornou to join the Mission.
I consider myself fully authorized by the Earl Bathurst to send one Person as an Assistant to Major Denham in lieu of Lieutenant Clapperton, who is now attached to Dr. Oudney, and conceiving it is perfectly immaterial who is sent provided he is equal to the respective duty required of Him, I shall therefore send this dispatch to the Government of Malta and solicit His Honor the Lieutenant Governor will be pleased to nominate a Gentleman for the appointment. . . .
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Kouka, Jan. 20, 1824.
. . . I am sorry for the cause of Tyrwhitt’s declining the appointment, but he has certainly acted the wisest part in so doing. Strictures and gout, or indeed either of them, would afford strong reasons why a man should not wish to embark in a service of this nature.
Malta, August 10, 1823.
Dear Toole,
I have received to-day a letter from Mr. Consul Warrington at Tripoli, stating that Mr. Tyrwhitt, who was to have proceeded to Bornow to join Major Denham as his Assistant on the African Mission, is prevented doing so by illness, and requesting that some young Gentleman, who would volunteer in so arduous an undertaking, may be sent over from this to take Mr. Tyrwhitt’s place.
Colonel Warrington mentions that the Person sent should possess some knowledge of the sextant and of the Artificial Horizon, and further must be prepared to encounter some dangers, much fatigue and many privations. He must be a young man of strong constitution and inured to fatigue and fasting, and above all must possess great ardor and zeal in the undertaking.
Being well aware of the many qualifications you possess for a Mission of this kind, viz. that you are an excellent linguist—speaking French, Italian and German fluently, and that you understand the Maltese perfectly which is nearly Arabic, that you are a good Draughtsman—can survey, understand the use of the sextant, and also that you are healthy and stout and inured to fatigue at all times, and having often heard you express the greatest thirst and ardor for travelling in remote countries, and besides being fully convinced that there is no one in Malta so well qualified as you are for the object proposed by Colonel Warrington, I have written you this, that you may volunteer to go, if you should feel inclined to embrace an undertaking, which I must impress upon you necessarily involves in it many dangers and immense fatigue.
I must also state to you that Colonel Warrington in appointing an Assistant to Major Denham acts under the instructions of Earl Bathurst, but he does not mention in his letter that he is authorized to hold out any specified prospects of future advantage, but you may depend upon this that my Lord Bathurst can never fail to give due consideration to your services, provided you make yourself useful to the Mission.
Your necessary Expenses will all be defrayed, and in these you must pay every attention to the strictest economy, and I understand also that a small personal allowance is given, but what it is I do not know.
If you accept this proposal, you must be ready to start for Tripoli in 48 hours, as there is a Vessel on the point of sailing, and it is absolutely necessary that you proceed to Tripoli without delay,—and in that case you had better lose no time in applying for leave of absence for a twelve-month in a regular way through your Commanding Officer to the Major General Commanding.
I am, &c.
H. Greig.[577]
Malta, August 10, 1823.
2 p.m.
Dear Greig,
In answer to your note of this morning, I hasten to assure you that I embrace the proposal of going as an Assistant to the African Mission with the greatest delight, and I shall be ready to start for Tripoli in 48 hours, having obtained the necessary leave of absence from my Commanding Officer and Major General Sir Manley Power.
I do not mean to say, that I accept this situation without the prospect of encountering both danger and fatigue, but I have no fear of either, and I look forward to the journey with real pleasure.
The opinion you are good enough to express of my qualifications for the Mission is much too partial, but I promise you, that neither zeal, industry, nor a Constant desire to make myself useful will be wanting.
It is far from my intention to allude to any remuneration for my Services, but I trust, that if I make myself useful to the Mission, that my Conduct will be favourably considered by Earl Bathurst.
I have now been six years an Ensign in the 80th Regiment,[578] and I may mention that my Ensigncy was given to me by H.R. Highness the Duke of York at the request of my revered friend and Patron, Sir John Stewart, by whom I was brought up and educated. And I trust it is not asking too much, that if sickness or other causes should prevent my return from this expedition, that my Lord Bathurst may be entreated to interest himself to procure my Ensigncy for one of my younger Brothers, and you are aware that I have four, all of whom are under the age of 18 and quite unprovided for.[579]
I am, &c.
E. Toole.
Extract from letter of J. Maclean, Major Commanding 80th Regt. to Hector Greig, Esq., Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Malta, dated August 12, 1823.
. . . Major Denham (whom I have the pleasure of knowing) will, I am persuaded, consider himself fortunate in the selection you have made, as he will find in Mr. Toole a zealous and able Assistant as well as a most Gentlemanly Companion.
Did I not consider the present Undertaking as likely to prove of advantage to Toole, I should particularly regret his departure from the Regiment at this time, as, in consequence of the intended departure of Lieutenant Penny for the Continent, it was my intention to have appointed him to do the duty of Adjutant during the absence of that Officer.
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Robert Wilmot Horton, Esq., dated Tripoli, August 25, 1823.
Sir,
I have had already the honor to inform you that in consequence of Mr. Tyrwhitt’s Health not allowing him again to join the Mission, that I had applied to the Lt. Governor of Malta to send a Gentleman instead of Him, and He has accordingly been pleased to approve of Ensign Toole of the 80th Regiment joining the Mission as Assistant to Major Denham.
I have no hesitation to declare that the Public Service will be the gainer by the Exchange, as I can safely say I never saw a finer young man, or one more calculated for the undertaking. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to R. Wilmot Horton, Esq., dated Tripoli, December 20, 1823.
. . . This Morning I have been informed Mr. Tyrwhitt is in Malta on his way here. I am most happy to hear it, as I am confident there is full Employment in the Interior for the whole Mission. The Road is as free as I always said it was, and the Inst. Mr. Tyrwhitt arrives I will send Him off. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Dr. Oudney, dated January 17, 1824.
My Dear Sir,
The arrival of Mr. Tyrwhitt and his appointment to the Mission will afford you all, without doubt, much satisfaction. As it will be about three weeks before he leaves this, I forward a Courier with copies of Dispatches for you and Major Denham, which I have received from the Colonial Office. . . .
Your little godson, Walter Bornow,[580] is now under the Vaccine Inoculation, from whose Arm I send you the Matter, and Buttabel[581] writes to state its introduction here and the efficacy of it. I know no one whose Natural Disposition and extensive Ability is so devoted to the benefit of our Fellow Creatures as your own, and I think you will evince it by endeavouring to introduce the Vaccine. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Mr. Toole, dated Tripoli, January 21, 1824.
. . . His Lordship, I am glad to say, approves of your appointment, and has ordered £100 per annum salary being allowed you as well as Mr. Tyrwhitt. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to R. Wilmot Horton, Esq., dated Tripoli, February 24, 1824.
. . . 28 Feb. I took leave of Mr. Tyrwhitt at Melra yesterday morning, fifty miles from this. . . .
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Kouka, April 16, 1824.
. . . My amiable and clever companion and friend, Ernest Stuart Toole, who really deserved all that his Friends at Malta wrote about him, has fallen a victim to that Fever of this Country with which I have seen so many attacked.[582] He died at Angala, a town about 60 miles South East of where I am now writing, on the 26th of last February. . . .
He was most generally beloved here, particularly by the Sheikh, with whom we used sometimes to pass an hour together in his Garden; and indeed I believe we all might have died without creating the sensation that my poor friend’s death has occasioned. . . .
Assisted by the Sultan’s slaves, Columbus[583] and myself laid him in a deep grave to the N.W. of the Town.[584] . . .
A few more details of Toole’s death are given below.
Extract from letter of Denham to H. Greig, Esq. [who from an endorsement on the back we learn was Toole’s brother-in-law], dated Kouka, March 10, 1824. [R. G. S.]
. . . He swallowed a little tea and seemed revived; about 6 he attempted to speak, but could articulate intelligibly nothing but the word Mother two or three times, and from that time until half-past 11 on the same day, when he breathed his last, he scarcely moved, and expired without even a struggle or a groan. . . . Almost the last words he uttered were requests that his papers . . . should in case of any accident befalling him be delivered by me into your hands. . . . His request I shall, please God, comply with. . . . His sketches will, I think, be valuable, very valuable, and should I not be permitted to return myself, I do hope that with any notes of mine that may be considered worthy of publishing, they may be given to the world, for any literary fame that my exertions may entitle me to will lose half its value in my estimation if the name of my amiable colleague is not coupled with my own. . . .
[I have not been able to trace these papers or sketches, in spite of kind assistance from E. L. Bonavia, Esq., of the Chief Secretary’s Office, Malta, and from the Crown Agents. Mr. A. C. Maberly of Eccles, whose wife was a great-niece of Greig, informs me that none of Greig’s papers have been preserved.]
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Kouka, May 23, 1824.
My Dear Sir,
Mr. Tyrwhitt arrived here on the 20th in good health, after performing the journey with great Expedition. Nothing can be more satisfactory than the Letters of which he was the Bearer, and the Presents for the Sheikh were everything that could be wished.
I send you, according to an Old Promise, a Bottle of the Niger Water. . . .
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to R. Wilmot Horton, Esq., dated Tripoli, August 18, 1824.
. . . I shall send four Spears and a Shield and a Bottle of Niger Water (which I had the whim to request might be sent me) to you, and I shall feel flattered if you accept. Of no value but as curiosities. I have another bottle, and in drinking success to the Mission I hope I shall find its efficacy in inspiring me with additional zeal for the Promotion of Discovery. . . .
[There seems to have been a craze for Niger water. Barth promises to drink a friend’s health in Niger water, vid. Benton, Notes on Some Languages, &c., p. 298.]
Extract from letter of Denham to Lord Bathurst, dated Kouka, May 23, 1824. [R. G. S.]
. . . I have filled and secured in the best way that I am able, a stone bottle with the Niger water; it was taken from a spot about two miles from the embouchure of that River.
[In the same letter he suggests that the R. Yo or Wobe is the continuation of the Niger. This water was probably therefore bottled somewhere near where the Yo flows into Lake Chad.
Even at the present day it is a common saying that if you have once drunk from the River Niger, you will always return to the Coast.]
Extract from letter of Mr. Tyrwhitt to Consul Warrington, dated Woodi, Sept. 6, 1824.
My Dear Consul,
The Travellers having at last determined on returning to England, I have accompanied them thus far on their road, it having been settled that I should remain at Kouka as Vice-Consul in compliance of the wishes of the Sheik till Lord Bathurst’s pleasure shall be known. . . .
I must confess that the remaining behind does not afford a very pleasant or very cheering Prospect, but I hope under all circumstances I have acted for the best, and that the step I have taken may meet with approbation. . . .
[Tyrwhitt died at Kuka on October 22, 1824, and his death was reported to Warrington by the Sheikh, who also sent an inventory of his effects (which included 52 books), cf. Denham, vol. ii, p. 434. It does not appear what eventually became of his property. It was to be handed over to Capt. Pearce, who accompanied Clapperton on his second expedition, and who seems to have been intended to be Consul in Bornu. Pearce, however, died soon after landing on the Coast. War had broken out between Sokoto and Bornu, and Clapperton was unable to revisit the latter country. No attempt to re-establish the consulship appears to have been made until the expedition of Richardson and Barth in the ’fifties.]
(c) Hillman
Another member of the expedition was a naval shipwright named William Hillman, a native of Somersetshire. He appears to have been a typical old salt, but in spite of constant ill health reached England again in safety. His pay was £120 per annum (vid. Denham, Introductory Chapter).
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated ‘Kouka in the Kingdom of Bornou, 4 April 1823, Thermr 104 in the Hut’.
. . . Old Chips sometimes causes me to laugh, which does my heart good, he has such a knack of rallying from Death’s door almost that his illness seems to have no danger in it. Drink Grog he will whenever he can get it, tho’ it kills him. He told me the other evening that he had made up his mind not to learn ‘Harribik’. ‘I can’t make no hand on it,’ said he, ‘so I get Columbo to teach me a little Hitalian, for I tell you, B—— the Navy Board. I hope the Colonial Board will provide for me, who knows but what I may be a King’s Messenger, and the King, God Bless him, may say, Hillman or Mr. Hillman, here take this letter to Hitaly, why I must know Hitalian for that. . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Sunday, April 6, 1823.
Oh for a glass of the Bashaw’s cold punch. We had yesterday a most suffocating day with Therm. at 104. This bids fair to be just such another. The water here is worse than at many places on the Road, altho’ here it is a little Cooler, for there we drank it about the heat of tea. I found but about three bottles of Rum on my return to Mourzouk, and Hillman, when I complained, tho’ Grogy at the time, said, ‘Why I’m not the man to say a word against another, No, No, but that are little Tyrwhitt did drink, by G—— like Winkins—for myself I can’t touch liquor now.’
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to R. Wilmot Horton, Esq., dated Tripoli, June 13, 1824.
. . . In one of Earl Bathurst’s Dispatches he suggested the propriety of Mr. Hillman’s constructing a Boat to explore the outlet of the Great Lake.
The idea was so good and so obviously beneficial for the object of the Research, that I followed up His Lordship’s suggestion by requesting the Boat may be built at Malta in that Portable way to be carried on two Camels, and taken to Pieces and put together without difficulty. The Government of Malta kindly acceded to my wishes, and Mr. Simonds, a most scientific gentleman, is now engaged in constructing one. . . .
[We hear no more of this boat, but it is interesting in view of Barth and Overweg’s famous boat. From a letter of Columbus[585] to a friend in Tripoli it appears that some of the members of the expedition did embark in boats (presumably native canoes) and navigate the waters of Chad for a short distance.]
Denham’s views are given in the following:
Extract from fragment of a letter from Denham to Lord Bathurst, dated June 18, 1824. [R. G. S.]
. . . Without two boats could be built to carry fifty men each with fire-arms they would stand but a bad chance with the Biddoomy on the Lake. Hillman says that one shipwright alone could not build a boat of any kind, and he has certainly never since our arrival here enjoyed a sufficiently good state of health for him to make the attempt had it been requisite.
The following is a description of the Sheikh’s victory over the Baghirmi invaders:
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Kouka, April 16, 1824.
Dear Sir,
Our minds have been greatly relieved within the last ten days by a victory obtained by the Sheikh’s people over a very large force of the Sultan of Baghermi, headed by two hundred of the principal persons in his Kingdom, including nine of his sons, seven of whom are amongst the killed and one a prisoner. . . .
The two Guns[586] for which Hillman had made Carriages and myself Cartridges with Canisters holding 16 Musket balls each, appear to have done great execution, altho’ only fired once, and have greatly alarmed the people, even in whose defence they were levelled. . . .
A fuller account of the battle is contained in the following:
Extract from letter of Denham to his brother Charles, dated Kouka, April 18, 1824. [R. G. S.]
. . . The Sheikh advanced to within 200 yards before he unmasked his little guns, supported by about fifty slaves and Arabs with fire-arms, who were formed to the right and left, while immediately in the rear he appeared himself at the head of his Kanemboo infantry with the double barrelled English gun in his hand and an ammunition belt on his shoulders dressed in a simple barracan like an Arab. He had told the Chiefs previously that it was his intention to fight on foot, that he expected all the Arabs to follow his example, and to encourage the slaves who were but young at the use of the firelock. . . . He placed his two Chiefs, Barca Gana and Ali Gana, on each flank with the Bornou and Shouaa horse, with orders if attacked, to make the best of it, but on no account to assist him. The Baghermi, who made for his Green Flag in one solid mass, were not a little alarmed at the effects of the guns at such a distance, . . . and a volley from the Arabs added to the confusion. They now fell back on the Bornou horse, who as usual gave way, and the attack of the Kanemboo with the Sheik at their head alone decided the fate of the day. . . . The little stream, called Gambalarou, near which the battle was fought . . . is said to have run red.
Again, Denham, vol. ii, p. 415, it is recorded that Hillman made a covered cart, to be used as a carriage or conveyance for the Sheikh’s wives; the wheels were hooped with iron, and it was extremely strong, though neither light nor handsome.
Extract from letter of Hillman to Consul Warrington, dated Tripoli, Feb. 11, 1825.
Hond. Sir.
After many difficulties I have got safe and sound once more in Tripoli, thank God. . . . I have taken the Liberty of sending a Lion’s Skin, which I trust you will be pleased to accept . . .
With every due respect
Your most obliged
& very humble
servt.
W. Hillman.
Hillman was sent home in charge of the animals and baggage, via the long sea route (vid. Nelson, p. 94).
(d) Sheikh El Kanemy [Shehu Lamino]
The enlightened character of this ruler is made very clear in Denham’s book and in the Correspondence. The two following extracts are only quoted to show the style in which he was addressed by the British Consul at Tripoli, and the type of articles he valued as presents. Bornu is very deficient in fruit and vegetables, and even the efforts of the British Administration have not been very successful in inducing the present native authorities to take serious steps to remedy the deficiency.[587]
Letter from Consul Warrington to Sheikh Lamino [El Kanemy].
Most Excellent and Noble Sir,
May the Great God who directs the Prosperity and happiness of all Mankind reward you for the Kindness and attention which you have been pleased to show my Countrymen, and that you will continue the same and extend your Powerful Protection to any place they may wish to go is my fervent Prayer.
Your three Sons, I am most happy to say, are about to return to their most respected Parent, and I sincerely hope they may arrive safe and find you in good health.[588]
My August King and Master has been pleased to order some Presents to be sent you as a small token of that respect He feels towards you for your great liberality and kindness towards his Servants . . .
I send you by this opportunity a Saddle, Bridle, &c., as a Personal Mark of my great esteem and respect towards you.[589]
I beg you will at all times command me whenever you may send any Person or Persons down here and that you may enjoy Health, Strength, and Happiness is the ardent wish of your Sincere Friend and Servant
Hanmer Warrington.
Extract from letter of Major Denham to Consul Warrington, dated Kouka, April 26, 1824.
. . . The Sheikh begs you will send him by the earliest opportunity the following articles, and for which he says he shall pay me.
Seeds, both flower and vegetable.
Fifty locks of guns.
Tea.
Winter melon seeds.
A set of small Cairo coffee cups.
Two or three Glass cups with handles, holding a pint or thereabouts.
4 Turkish Coffee pots.
[Two boxes were sent to the Sheikh by Denham after his return to Tripoli; the extract printed below concerns them. The presents brought by Tyrwhitt are mentioned in Denham and included swords, pistols, gold watches, and rockets.]
Extract from a letter of Denham to the Sheikh, dated December 4, 1824, apparently from somewhere in Fezzan.
. . . Ibrahim will give you a box in which is Tea, Sugar, Coffee, the glass cups you wrote for, two Coffee Pots and some Flints, and my friend Said will give you 50 Gun Locks and a small box containing coffee cups and seeds. You will also find two Musical snuff-boxes which my sister begs you will accept for the kindness you have shewn her brother . . .
[The Sheikh sent presents to the King of England.]
Extract from letter of Denham to Mr. Wilmot Horton, dated 44 Lower Brook Street, June 1, 1825.
. . . A horse from about the 10th Parallel of North Latitude with the ‘Libida’ or cloath covering wadded with cotton, which they use in battle as a defence from the poisoned arrows; four parrots, one of which died on the journey across the desert, two ostrich skins, a large box of ‘zibet’ or musk from the civet cat, and twelve specimens of the manufactures of Soudan and the towns in the interior of the Kingdom of Bornou, to which he added one of his largest tents entirely of Bornou manufacture. These were all embarked on board the Brig Britannia previous to my leaving Leghorn, with several animals and birds, with all the minerals, plants, and other articles we had collected in the country.’[590]
(e) Cost of the Mission.
Extract from letter of Consul Warrington to Earl Bathurst, dated Tripoli, September 11, 1825.
. . . In my office the sums drawn for amount to £8575 17s. 7d. The £5000 to the Bashaw[591] reduces this sum to £3790, out of which must be deducted the 2500$,[592] say £530, will leave the expenditure at £3260 17s. 7d. Say the mission existed for three years and a half, which would make £931 13s. 7d. per annum . . .