The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805 by Park, Mungo, 1771-1806, Whishaw, John

These papers together with Mr. Park's Journal, were placed in the hands of a respectable artist, employed by the publisher to construct the map intended to illustrate the present work; at whose request the following statement respecting certain difficulties which have occurred in its construction, is subjoined.

"In compiling the map of Mr. Park's route in 1805, much difficulty has arisen from the bearings of places not being mentioned in the Journal; and also in consequence of there being occasionally great differences between the latitudes and longitudes of places according to the astronomical observations, and the distances computed according to the journies. Considerable pains have been taken to reconcile these differences; but the general result has been, that it was found necessary in adhering to the astronomical observations, to carry Mr. Park's former route in 1796 farther north, and to place it in a higher latitude than that in which it appears in Major Rennell's map annexed to the former volume of Travels."

London, March 1, 1815.

CONTENTS.

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ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF PARK. Appendix, No. I. No. II. No. III. No. IV. No. V. No. VI.

Explanation of African Words

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JOURNAL.

CHAPTER I.

Departure from Kayee--Arrival at Pisania--Preparations there, and departure into the Interior--Samee--Payment to Mumbo Jumbo--Reach Jindey; process of dying cottons at that place--Departure from Jindey--Cross the Wallia Creek--Kootakunda--Madina--Tabajang--Kingdom of Jamberoo--Visit from the King's son--Tatticonda--Visit from the son of the former King of Woolli--Reach Madina, the capital of Woolli--Audience of the King; his unfriendly conduct--Presents made to him and his courtiers--Barraconda--Bambakoo--Kanipe; inhospitable conduct of its inhabitants--Kussai--Nittatrees; restrictions relating to them--Enter the Simbani Woods--precautions thereon, and sacrifice and prayers for success--Banks of the Gambia--Crocodiles and hippopotami--Reach Faraba--Loss of one of the soldiers--Rivers Neaulico and Nerico--Astronomical observations.

CHAPTER II.

Arrival at Jallacotta--Maheena--Tambico--Bady; hostile conduct of the Faranba, or Chief, and its consequences--Reach Jeningalla-- Iron-furnaces--Mansafard--Attacked by wolves--Enter the Tenda Wilderness--Ruins and Plain of Doofroo--Attacked by a swarm of bees--Astronomical observations--Arrival at Sibikillin--Shea trees--Badoo; presents made to the King--Tambacunda--Ba Deema River--Tabba Gee--Mambari--Julifunda; unfriendly conduct of its Chief; and presents sent to him and the King--Visit from the latter--Reach Eercella--Baniserite--Celebrate his Majesty's birthday--Mode of fluxing iron--Madina--Falema river--Satadoo--Sickness and death of the Carpenter--Arrival at Shrondo; commencement of the rainy season; and alarming sickness amongst the soldiers--Gold mines; process for procuring the gold--Dindikoo; gold pits--Cultivation--Arrival at Fankia.

CHAPTER III.

Departure from Fankia--Tambaura mountains, and difficulties in ascending the Pass--Toombin--Great embarrassments on the road--Serimanna--Fajemmia Astronomical observations--Increase of the sick--Nealakatla--Balee River--Boontoonkooran--Doggikotta--Falifing--Losses on the road--Gimbia; inhospitable treatment--Sullo--Face of the country--Secoba Konkromo--Passage of the Ba Fing--Mode of smelting and working gold--Fatal accident in crossing the Ba Fing--Hippopotami--Deaths and losses on the route--Increase of sickness--Reach Viandry--Koeena--Danger from young lions--Koombandi--Great embarrassments on the road--Fonilla--Ba Woolima River; difficulties in crossing it--Isaaco seized by a crocodile--Boolinkoonbo--Distressing situation of the whole of the party--Reach Serrababoo-Saboseera.

CHAPTER IV.