| Description | Addressed from the Admiralty.
Although these letters are addressed to Sir Robert John Wilmot Horton in his capacity as Under Secretary of State for War and the Colonies it is clear from the content that the letters’ author, Sir John Barrow, intended that much of the content would be put before Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. Note that the earliest letter is addressed to R Penn, Esq. [possibly Richard Penn (1784-1863), a Colonial Office official]; and one letter, written from the Cape of Good Hope, bears no author’s name.
Several letters concern aspects of a geographical exploration from Tripoli to the Kingdom of Bornu near Lake Chad undertaken by Walter Oudney (1790-1824), Dixon Denham (1786-1828) and Hugh Clapperton (1788-1827). The texts include news of the progress of the expedition; John Barrow’s indignation about aspects of expenditure incurred; his interest to establish the course of the river Niger in relation to that of the River Nile; and his irritation at disputes between the three explorers and at the limited success of their exploration.
Barrow’s interest in publicising exploratory achievements is reflected in several letters which refer to articles drafted for inclusion in the journal “Political Quarterly.” Barrow regarded such publicity as beneficial in relation to the need to generate support for further geographical exploration.
There are brief references to Sir John Franklin’s expedition in search of a North West Passage: Barrow forwards a report of Franklin’s progress cut from a Montreal newspaper; and records his concern at Russian success in the region. There’s a brief reference, too, to the conflict between the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarrie (1762-1824), and John Bigge, appointed by Earl Bathurst to investigate aspects of the colony’s governance. Elsewhere Barrow argues that there would be advantages in taking possession of the island of Fernando Po; and encloses both a supporting letter and a company prospectus from the newly formed Gold Coast Mining and Trading Company.
Some letters reflect Barrow’s concern about matters in the Cape of Good Hope colony, including reference to financial exchange rates and to the colony’s “unfit” Court of Justice. Barrow records his unease at concealing information from Lord Bathurst about matters in the Cape colony.
One letter concerns a proposal for dealing with an obelisk presented by the Pasha of Egypt-an item that later has come to be known as Cleopatra’s Needle.
In a number of letters Barrow asks for specific consideration for particular individuals: Barrow suggests that Hassuna [D’Ghies ?] might approach Sir Graham Moore in Malta; regrets that a young man Bennet was not offered employment in the Cape of Good Hope and asks Wilmot Horton to intervene; suggests that an applicant, [Lt Gray ?] might ask the African Association for funds; asks for a letter from an old public servant in difficulty [Bird?] to be shown to Earl Bathurst; seeks to enable [the Rev. Patrick Henry] Scully to become astronomer in New South Wales; Scully having been obliged to leave his post of assistant astronomer at Cape of Good Hope in disgrace. Finally, Barrow asks Wilmot Horton to vote for his son George Barrow at the Athenaeum.
Summary of letters
17 Feb 1820 Letter is addressed to R Penn, Esq. [possibly Richard Penn (1784-1863), Colonial Office official]. Asks for enclosed item [not present] to be shown so that his protege may see how Lord Charles treats Lord Bathurst: thus there is little reason to expect assistance.
22 Apr 1822 Thanks for papers now returned. Pleased that a resident has been sent to Mourzouk [Murzuk]. The delay involving Oudney may allow the French expedition, M. Caillaud, to reach Bornou [Bornu] first and solve the problem of the Niger.
23 May 1822 Has heard of D’Ghies story: inclined to disbelieve it: suggests obtaining further details, including a detailed itinerary from Col Washington: to clarify whether the Niger joins the Nile. Comments on the length of journey from Timbuctoo [Timbuktu] to the mouth of the Nile.
8 Jun 1822 Astonished at enormity of sums drawn without authority. Believes that instructions otherwise had been given to Oudney and the consul. Proposes restrictions on future withdrawals. Expresses disapproval of Denham and Oudney.
25 Jun 1822 Has read Oudney’s letter: the consul should have explained to the Bashaw [i.e. Pasha, a high ranking military or political official of the Ottoman Empire] what the money was intended to cover: the stay at Mouzouk should be at his expense. Warrington should remonstrate about the lack of good faith. Favours the plan of proceeding without the "slave army". Scornful about Mr Beesly’s [?] order to the vice-consul.
11 Sep 1822 No immediate opportunities in the Mediterranean for Hassuna [?]. He could go to Sir Graham Moore in Malta.
3 Oct 1822 Believes the truthfulness of an enclosure: reference therein should be to “Hood” not Wood. Has read Bigge’s report and has recommended that Gifford have nothing to do with it: it confirms Bennet’s comments about Macquarry [Macquarrie]. Dismisses “squabbles” about rank and precedence. With newspaper cutting from Montreal Herald 17 Aug 1822: a report of progress of Franklin’s North West Passage expedition. Endorsed by Mr Mackenzie who had spoken to Samuel Black of the North West Company, the source of the report.
4 Dec 1822 Written from Cape of Good Hope: author not named. Lord Charles unable to give the writer preference. Annotated: “Original returned to Mr Barrow. He tagged that it might not be sent to Lord Charles.”
25 Jan 1823 Lists reasons why a piece by Sir Thomas Maitland is not acceptable for [Quarterly] Review: suggests alternative options for publication.
4 Apr 1823 Vexed at how Governor of Cape of Good Hope treats Lord Bathurst’s order in relation to an orphan, Bennett, not being appointed to a vacancy. Asks Wilmot to intervene.
28 May [No year indicated] Suggests that a defence, in relation to Joseph and Sir Thomas Maitland, might be published in the Quarterly. On reverse: I have requested that the article be published forthwith.
25 Jul 1823 Lt Clapperton was to have £100 a year from the Treasury and half-pay from the Navy.
25 Nov 1823 Gifford disappointed by an article for the Quarterly. Information sought for a short article on Africa: public should know about recent mission’s success. Refers to imminent meeting of North West Company about Franklin’s request for assistance (Mackenzie River). Refers to Russian success and believes Parry should be sent again.
28 Nov 1823 Success of geographical and scientific ventures likely to enable further such expenditure.
1 Dec 1823 Has drafted an article about African discovery, drawing on Major Denham’s letters. Refers to making information available to the House of Commons. Discusses various aspects of publication, mentioning Oudney, Denham, Major Rennell’s work on [Mungo] Park’s travel and material by Ritchie and Lyon held by Gifford for the Quarterly. Confirms belief in making information available to the public.
2 Dec 1823 Sends a proof copy: believes content is suitable for publication and will generate public curiosity.
8 Jan 1824 Considers requests made by a writer [possibly “Lt Gray”] can be met, other than the request for money, but the African Association might provide funds.
23 Jan 1824 Please show Lord Bathurst the enclosed letter [not present] from an old public servant [possibly “Bird”] now in difficulty.
26 Jan 1824 Has seen short letters from Oudney and Clapperton: hopes to see their journals and charts.
30 Jan 1824 Deplores quarrels between Oudney, Clapperton and Denham in Africa. Inclined to disbelieve stories about Clapperton and expresses strong disapproval of Denham. Dissatisfied with their exploratory achievements and suggests Oudney be reminded of his instructions. Denham will be replaced.
3 Feb 1824 Current dispatches are better than earlier ones. Suggests options for dealing with Clapperton and Denham.
13 Feb 1824 Sends two drafts believing they will be acceptable to Lord Bathurst. Wishes to meet in relation to Mr Barrie’s proposal.
18 Feb 1824 Now expects better of Brunell who has become conscientious. Accounts of unhappy colony are deplorable.
21 Feb 1824 Asks for dispatches for Sir Thomas Brisbane: Tamar ordered to sail.
7 Mar 1824 Proposes that Matcham and Captain Scoresby should be made a present of their valuable discovery.
9 March 1824 Encloses a document [not present]. Regards the Court of Justice at The Cape as unfit for an English colony.
8 Apr 1824 Encloses letters [not present]. Little hope of Oudney’s recovery. It is time for Warrington to put pressure on the Bashaw in relation to the risk of “our people” starving.
12 Apr 1824 Refers to letters from Malta. Hopes the Consul at Tripoli has not been neglectful (as hinted by Denham). Criticises Oudney who is 'certainly at fault in trusting an Arab with money".
11 Aug 1824 Sends a paper about Cape currency (and 200% premium on Bills) for Lord Bathurst’s attention. Suggests remedies.
14 Oct 1824 Seeks assistance to enable Scully to travel to a post in New South Wales, having had to leave his post of assistant astronomer at Cape of Good Hope; was found in bed with the astronomer’s maid.
20? Oct 1824 Dismisses “theoretical notions” of [unnamed] correspondent. With reference to relations between borderers and "African savages" regrets that successful measures taken by Sir Rufane Donkin (1772-1841) are no longer in use, and states that "Kaffirs" should be given missionaries, not firearms.
13 Dec [1824] Regards the Bashaw as an old rogue, not well managed by the consul. To be given no more money until the travellers have been lodged at Bornou [Bornu]. Regrets the removal of Mr Tyrwhitt from Mourzouk [Murzuk].
19 Jan 1825 Commends the enclosed plan for solving problem of Cape of Good Hope finance/currency. [Plan appears to be not present, but there is what appears to be a financial commentary.]
2 Feb 1825 Refers to previous correspondence about advantages of taking possession of the island of Fernando Po. Asserts that it is now necessary to take possession.
In this and later letters, Barrow urges Wilmot Horton to consider the advantage of taking Fernando Po (later Bioko, Equatorial Guinea) as “the surest, if not the only effectual check of the Slave-trading Portuguese, in that beehive of Slaves, the Bight of Biafra”. Barrow notes the recent expedition to Sokoto (then capital of the Sokoto Caliphate, later in Nigeria) by explorer Hugh Clapperton and reports that he was “burning with thirst to go again”. Barrow argues that "by a very small expense … we have now the means of blocking up the main channel down which the Slave trade is carried on by the rivers that open into the Bight of Benin – Open but an intercourse with Bello [the caliph, Muhammad Bello] and let the West Indians thereabouts occupy Fernando Po (if political reasons prevent the government from doing so) and I am much mistaken if a death blow would not be given to the abominable traffic".
With: letter, 1 Feb 1825, to John Barrow from Sir John Nicholls, secretary, Gold Coast Mining and Trading Company and a printed company prospectus: has heard of American intention to establish a settlement on the Gold Coast. Asks for Lord Bathurst to be informed.
1 Apr 1825 The Pandora is at sea, so replaced by the Martin which will carry Mr Hill’s money.
16 Apr 1825 Feels misgivings about concealing information from Lord Bathurst about matters in the Cape of Good Hope. Refers to letters received, including one from a protégé of Sir Walter Scott, and to “general disquiet” and “horrible transactions” in the colony. Has already given Bird’s defence against charges.
26 Apr 1825 Refers to Denham’s arrival in Malta and gives a calculation of Oudney’s pay.
9 Jun 1825 Captain Chesney’s proposal need not be entertained given information from travellers returned from Africa about ease of communication. No reason to be concerned about Morocco. Supportive of Clapperton’s wish to go again to Sockotoo [Sokoto]. Refers to potential to block slave trade routes.
9 Jun 1825 Sends charts of Denham’s and Clapperton’s routes; and of Bathurst and Melville Islands. Hopes to discuss these matters.
16 Jun 1825 Sends chart of African discoveries. Asks for Lord Bathurst’s wishes about providing a report.
18 Jun 1825 Sends lithographs [of charts]. On reverse: “W H wishes for a dozen more copies.”
22 Nov 1825 Refers to a case for audit: will ask Bird which case is alluded to.
12 Feb 1826 In full agreement with what Wilmot Horton has written. Regards Wilmot Horton’s pamphlet and Boulton’s will as a good foundation for article for the Quarterly. Refers to the reading of a word of Virgil, including the opinion of his “fifth-form boy at Westminster.”
3 Apr 1827 Asks Wilmot Horton to vote for his son George Barrow at the Athenaeum. |
| Recipient | Sir Robert John Wilmot (1784-1841) |