"I now come to Victoria Nyanza; and about this I want to ask you some
questions--viz. What is the north frontier of Zanzibar? And have we
any British interests which would be interfered with by a debouch of
the Egyptians on the sea? Another query is, if the coast north of the
Equator does not belong to Zanzibar, in whose hands is it? Are the
Arabs there refugees from Wahhabees of Arabia?--for if so, they would
be deadly hostile to Egypt. To what limit inland are the people
acquainted with partial civilization, or in trade with the coast, and
accordingly supplied with firearms? Could I count on virgin native
tribes from Lake Baringo or Ngo to Mount Kenia--tribes not in close
communication with the coast Arabs?
"My idea is, that till the core of Africa is pierced from the coast
but little progress will take place among the hordes of natives in
the interior. Personally I would wish a route to sea, for the present
route is more or less hampered by other governors of Provinces. By
the sea route I should be free. The idea is entirely my own; and I
would ask you not to mention it, as (though you are a consul and I have
also been one) you must know that nothing would delight the Zanzibar
Consul better than to have the thwarting of such a scheme, inasmuch
as it would bring him into notice and give him opportunity to write to
F. O. I do not myself wish to go farther east than Lake Baringo or Ngo.
But whether Egypt is allowed a port or not on the coast, at any rate
I may be allowed to pass my caravans through to Zanzibar and to get
supplies thence.
Pages:
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292