The civilized nations of the world have from the earliest ages
possessed but a very imperfect knowledge of the interior of Africa.
Numerous attempts have been made to penetrate into the mysteries of
that unknown region, but they have, one after the other, failed,
either from the treachery of the natives, or the still more deadly
effects of the climate. The discovery of the Niger by Mungo Park, in
1796, opened a new track to adventurers, which many were not slow in
following. The most enterprising of these were the brothers Lander,
who, reaching the banks of the great river at Bussah, a town upwards
of 600 miles from the mouth, descended the stream in a frail canoe to
the ocean. In consequence of the reports of the quantity of ivory
they had seen, an expedition was fitted out in Liverpool, under Mr.
Laird, now well known as an enterprising explorer, for the purpose of
commencing a trade in it. Lieut. W. Allen was directed by the
Admiralty to accompany this expedition for the purpose of surveying
the river. As a mercantile speculation, the expedition was a
failure, as a very little ivory was found; but much information was
obtained, which afterwards proved useful. But a still nobler object
than the extension of commerce animated the originators of the
expedition, an account of which we are about to narrate. This was
the suppression of the slave trade. In spite of all England had
done, the unremitting efforts of her Government, the treasure she had
expended, and the lives of her gallant seamen which had been
sacrificed, that nefarious traffic still flourished. Among the
warmest advocates of the rights of the Africans was Sir Fowell
Buxton, by whose means chiefly a society was formed, of which His
Royal Highness Prince Albert was president, entitled "A Society for
the Extinction of the Slave Trade, and for the Civilization of
Africa." The means for effecting this object, proposed by Sir F.
Buxton, was the employment of her own resources, by impeding the
slave trade, establishing legitimate commerce, promoting and teaching
agriculture, and imparting religious and moral instruction. To carry
them into execution, the Society induced the Government to send out
three steamers, with directions to establish trading posts and
agricultural stations at convenient spots on the banks of the Niger.
The three vessels 'Albert,' 'Wilberforce,' and 'Soudan,' were built
for the express purpose by Mr. Laird, of Liverpool. The two first
were 139 feet 4 inches in length on deck; 27 feet breadth of beam; 11
feet depth of hold; 6 feet draught of water, fully laden; and 457
tons measurement. The 'Soudan' drew only 4 feet 6 inches; was in
tonnage, 249; in length, 113 feet 4 inches; breadth of beam, 22 feet;
and depth of hold, 8 feet 8 inches. They were fitted with
ventilating machines, and every improvement which science has
contributed was employed in their structure and fitting up. The
command was given to Captain Henry Dundas Trotter, R.N., and he had
under him Commanders William Allen and Bird Allen. These three
officers, to whom was added Mr. William Cook, well known for his
humane exertions in saving the lives of the crew and passengers of
the 'Kent' East Indiaman, burnt at sea, were appointed by the Queen
to act as her Commissioners, to for, treaties with the native chiefs
for the suppression of the internal slave trade, and for the
establishment of lawful commerce. Every means that science could
devise was employed for the preservation of the health of the crews.
The two larger vessels were armed with one long brass twelve-pounder,
two brass twelve-pounder howitzers, and four brass one-pounder
swivels, besides musketoons and small arms. The 'Soudan' had one
howitzer and two swivels of similar calibre. They had lofty masts,
and were square-rigged forward and schooner aft; but though excellent
sea-boats from being flat-bottomed, when hauled on a wind they made
much leeway.