Anti-Slavery Expedition.- Niger Expedition of 1841.- Stanger (William, geologist, botanist and medical doctor, 1811-54) Autograph Letter signed to Dr Frederick Fawssett, of Wisbech, Cambs., 3pp. & address panel, written crossways, sm. 4to, HMSP Albert, off the main branch of the Niger River, 11th August 1841, "Niger Huzza!! Huzza!! Huzza!! Did you ever receive a letter from the Niger? We anchored here at 10 a.m. and then Capt. Trotter and I went up with Capt. Bird Allen to explore the river in the Jordan. The sides are nothing but mangrove swamps. We saw no natives but today they came on board and were very friendly. Then after going up a little way we got on the ground but soon got off... and we stuck fast. Picture to yourself the Sudan of the Niger Expedition stuck in the mud. Off we started to shoot aligator and pelican...", folds, two tears where opened, tape along folds, slightly browned.

⁂ A letter written at the commencement of the ill-fated Niger Expedition, organised by the Society for the Extinction of the Slave Trade and for the Civilization of Africa. The expedition was backed by the British government to make treaties with the native peoples, introduce Christianity and promote increased trade. The crews of the boats suffered a high mortality from disease.

Dr Frederick Fawssett (1807-82), doctor in Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire.