personal nature, the delicacy of Mahommedan manners precludes
any danger of inquiry.
« To travel as a Christian, will perhaps he impracticable for at
least five years to come, for it is incredible how deep and strong
animpression thé expedition of the French has made on the minds
of the pilgrims to and from Mecca: dispersed to their several homes
they will carry an aggravated prejudice against Christians far and
wide, and to the very heart of Africa.
« Should it be objected to me, that I risk a similar fate with that
of Major Houghton, by travelling as a trader, my answer is, “ that
by travelling as a Mahommedan trader, I shall never travel alone ;
and with those too of the caravan, considered as one of the least of
its merchants.
« In respect to my astronomical instruments, I shall take special
care never to be discovered in the act of observation ; should those
instruments, however, attract notice, the answer is ready, “ they
are articles for sale;” nor is there fear that I should be deprived of
them, whilst master of my price. My comrades know the value of
gold at least better than myself. In a word, the merchants of our
Fezzan caravan, are men of wealth, integrity, and enterprise ; but
Mahommedans, the most prejudiced and fanatic.
«■ I have not yet fixed or methodized my design, as to further
journey into the interior of Africa ; but I have made acquaintance
with a man who has been at Bornou and Cashna, a place, from every
account which I can collect, and particularly from the Jalabs, deserving
my immediate attention after arrival at Fezzan.
“ I expect to he at Fezzan by the beginning of November, and I
should propose in the next year, setting out for the Agades and.
Cashna, residing in and exploring those countries during ten
months, and then returning via Mecca or Senegambia. Should any
necessity of the case oblige me to return to Tripoly, I should not
consider my tour as complete, but (with permission of the Society,)
hold myself in readiness for a further undertaking.
“ I will write again from Fezzan, if I can do so without danger;
the safest plan- that occurs., is to pack up some bale of goods with
an ordinary letter of advice in Arabic, making my. real dispatch the
package or covering of some article of trade.
“ Pray write to and direct the English Consul at Tripoly, or elsewhere,
never to make inquiry after me of the traders from Fezzan,
and particularly when conveying anything from me consigned to
you. These people are of a very jealous and inquisitive temper,,
and any inquiries made after me by a Christian,.might raise a thousand
suspicions, and prove even of fatal consequence to me.
“ Nay, should yourselves not hear of me these three years, make
no inquiry. Under such precaution,.my danger will not be that L
travel as a trader and'Mahommedan, but such .only as .results from .