86. David Livingston [Livingstone], Cassange, Angola, West Africa, to Rev Arthur Tidman, Mission House, Blomfield Street, London
Has learnt that his letters and maps have been lost in the wreck of the 'Forerunner' off Madeira; relates the details of his journey to the West Coast (details in letter 82); describes the idols and practices of the Londa people [baLonda] in greater detail; experience of travelling through heavy rai...
| Order number: |
CWM/LMS/Africa/Odds/Livingstone, Box 2, 3B |
|---|---|
| Date(s) of creation: |
14 Jan 1855 |
| Level: |
Item |
| Format: | Archive |
| Order number: |
CWM/LMS/Africa/Odds/Livingstone, Box 2, 3B |
|---|---|
| Summary: |
Has learnt that his letters and maps have been lost in the wreck of the 'Forerunner' off Madeira; relates the details of his journey to the West Coast (details in letter 82); describes the idols and practices of the Londa people [baLonda] in greater detail; experience of travelling through heavy rains and frequent illness of himself and his people "all native Zambesians"; difficulty of travelling through in the vicinity of Portuguese settlements; arrival at Loanda and assistance received from Edmund Gabriel (her Majesty's Commissioner for the Suppression of the Slave Trade); travelling companions allowed aboard H.M. ships of war and have been engaged in discharging coals from a ship for wages; companions received kindly by the Bishop of Angola who has promised the promotion of commercial intercourse with Sekeletu's country - "it is to be hoped that intercourse with either Cassange or Loanda will promote the civilization of the Interior"; sets out for the East Coast to accomplish his task and to enable a choice [between trade routes from the West and East Coasts]; intends to go down the Zambesi [Zambezi] or Leeambye to Quilimane [Quelimane]; needs to avoid the Falls of Mosioatunya [Victoria Falls] and the rapids above it; will return to Loanda if he can't succeed and from there embark for England; resolve to give wages (in the form of goods) to travelling companions; discusses business and finances; has been treated well by the Portuguese and travels with a letter from the Bishop of Angola to facilitate his passage, however suspects that treatment would be different if circumstances had been different; comments on the greater levels of literacy in the region around Loanda as a legacy of the Jesuit missionaries; mentions coffee as one of the benefits conferred on the country by missionaries - Portuguese now turning to licit commerce and coffee plantations. |
| Extent: |
20pp |
| Access status: |
Open |
| User restrictions: | For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance |
| Format: | Archive |