- " The ill-feeling and smothered rage
against Sir Samuel Baker's interference nurtured by the higher
authorities, breaks out very strongly amongst the less reticent lower
officials. In Fashoda, and even in Khartoum, I heard complaints that we
(the Franks) were the prime cause of all the trouble, and if it had not
been for our eternal agitation with the Viceroy, such measures would
never have been enforced."
In page 477, vol. ii., he continues: - "Notwithstanding that Sir Samuel
Baker was still on the upper waters of the river, the idea was quite
prevalent in all the seribas, that as soon as the 'English Pacha' had
turned his back upon Fashoda (the government station in the Shillook
country), the mudir (governor) would relapse into his former habits, and
levy a good round sum on the head of every slave, and then let the
contraband stock pass without more ado. But for once the seriba people
were reckoning without their host. The mudir had been so severely
reprimanded by Baker for his former delinquencies, that he thought it
his best policy, for this year at least, to be as energetic as he could
in his exertions against the forbidden trade."
In page 470, vol. ii., Dr. Schweinfurth writes: - "I knew that Sir
Samuel Baker was upon the Upper Nile, and did not doubt that his
presence would have the effect of making the government take the most
strenuous measures against any import of slaves."
Page 429, vol. ii.: - " Before Sir Samuel Baker's expedition put a stop
to it altogether, the slave trade that was carried on down the river was
quite insignificant compared to the overland traffic." "For years there
has been a public prohibition against bringing slaves down the White
Nile into Khartoum, and ever and again stronger repressive measures have
been introduced, which, however, have only had the effect of raising the
land traffic to a premium; but as a general rule, the Egyptian officials
connive at the use of this comparatively unimportant channel of the
trade, and pocket a quiet little revenue for themselves by demanding a
sum varying from two to five dollars a head as hush-money."
In page 429, vol. ii.: - "The expedition of Sir Samuel Baker has stopped
the source."
In page 410, vol. ii., Dr. Schweinfurth writes: - "Already had Sir Samuel
Baker, with praiseworthy energy, commenced scouring the waters of the
Upper Nile, and by capturing all slave-vessels and abolishing a large
'chasua' belonging to the mudir (governor) of Fashoda, had left no doubt
as to the earnestness of his purpose," &c.
In page 83, vol. i.: - "Beyond the true eastern shore, the Dinka are said
to be settled in extensive villages, and at that time still furnished an
inexhaustible supply of slaves to the marauding expeditions of the
garrison of Fashoda. In 1870 Baker succeeded in putting an end to this
disorder, the knowledge of which penetrated to the most remote tribes."
The evidence of so trustworthy a traveller as Dr. Schweinfurth is
exceedingly valuable, as he was in the Western Nile districts at the
time that I was actively engaged; thus he had opportunities of
witnessing the results of my interference, and the hostility exhibited
by the authorities. He is simply in error concerning the importance of
the slave trade of the river, which he much underrates, as will have
already been seen by the fact of 700 slaves being stowed away upon only
three vessels belonging to Abou Saood.
These vessels, that were captured by my orders at Fashoda, on their way
towards Khartoum, were an example of the truth foretold by the traders
with whom Dr. Schweinfurth was travelling in the west - "that as soon as
the English Pacha had turned his back upon Fashoda, the governor would
relapse into his former habits, and levy a good round sum on the head of
every slave, and then let the contraband cargo pass without more ado."
There were always well-known slave routes through Kordofan, but these
channels became of extreme importance when I rendered the slave traffic
of the river impossible.
It is quite unnecessary to write more on the subject of the slave trade.
The Khedive of Egypt was sincere when he gave me the orders to suppress
this horrible traffic; and I trust, from the simple description of the
expedition, the world will acknowledge that in this duty I exhibited the
utmost leniency towards the ruffianly lessees of the Soudan government.
I am convinced that the Khedive is sincere at heart in wishing to
suppress the slave trade, but he requires unusual moral courage to enter
the lists single-handed against Egyptian public opinion.
MISSIONARY LABOUR.
My opinion has been frequently asked on this subject, and many have
endeavoured to persuade me that a rapid change and improvement of the
natives may be effected by such an agency. I cannot resist by argument
such fervent hopes; but if good and capable men are determined to make
the attempt, they may now be assured of peace and security at Gondokoro,
where they will have the advantage of the good name left by the
excellent but unfortunate members of the late Austrian mission.
GEOGRAPHY.
I have not changed my opinions that have already been expressed in "The
Albert N'yanza," except that, from the native testimony, I presume there
must be a channel which connects either a lake or series of lakes with
the Albert N'yanza.
Without a guide, it would be a work of much time and difficulty to
discover the true channel among the labyrinth-like inlets that
characterize the vast beds of floating water-grass.
Many years ago, when at Magungo, on the Albert N'yanza, I could not at
first believe that the raft-choked entrance of the Victoria Nile in
apparently dead water was indeed the mouth of that important river. My
subsequent experience in the marshy and lacustrine Bahr Giraffe has
confirmed my impressions of the extreme difficulty of deciding upon the
non-existence of a channel until after a lengthened investigation.
