Harley-street, London,
My dear Sir, September 10, 1798.
I write to acknowledge the receipt of your favour. I know no man
better qualified than yourself for the station of an African
consul; and really think, that to assist you in obtaining such a
post, is to render service to my country, as well as to yourself.
Your information concerning the interior of Africa, and especially
concerning Timbuctoo, appears to me to be more accurate, authentic,
and extensive than that of any other person I have met with;
considerably more so than that of any of the correspondents of the
African association. Mr. Park, of whose return you are informed,
has brought home no addition to the stock of our knowledge of that
important place; though I think his geographical communications are
highly valuable, particularly as they regard the river and course,
&c. of the Niger. This celebrated river will, I think, in time be
the channel of communication between Europe and the interior of
Africa. It seems to penetrate into that continent, in its widest
and most interesting part; if it should be navigable through its
entire course, we might hereafter make it the instrument of the
most important discoveries, and the channel of the most valuable
100 commerce. I shall be much obliged to you for information concerning
this river, particularly as to its termination. I suspect it
discharges itself into some interior sea or vast lake, like the
Caspian; unless, like the Burrampooter, after various and extensive
windings, it may return towards its source, and fall into the
Atlantic.
You will have heard of the landing of a French army in Egypt, under
Buonaparte; the French are enterprising, and if they should
penetrate from the eastward, while we advance from the west, the
interior of the African continent may at length be laid open.
I remain, my dear Sir,
Your's sincerely,
J. WILLIS.
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