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.