eBay

LIVINGSTONE, David.

The final two pages only of an Autograph Letter Signed by David Livingstone (”affectionately yours, D.Livingston”) to his father-in-law Robert Moffat, written (according to an annotation signed by Moffat) “while he was in the Bechuana country about 2 years before his great Northern journey”, discussing Livingstone’s censure by “the Committee”, the hiring of porters, his determination not to employ “a very nasty young man in Roia’s family”, news of “the gentlemen” hunting elephants, Leete’s waggon, Mr. Cumming’s journey north west of the Bermangwato, a new tribe arriving at Sechele’s for trading, mention of Livingstone’s forthcoming journey to Chonnane, etc. About 360 words on 2 pp. 10 x 8 inches, in good clean condition. With a typed transcript. Bechuanaland [c.1847?].

Great content in the final section of an original letter by David Livingstone (1813-1873), the famous Scottish medical missionary and explorer in Africa. Many of his African letters suffered from being divided and cut into separate sections for collectors and admirers, but this fragment is lengthy, and very evocative of his Bechuana travels. There is enough internal evidence to engage researchers into the exact date of the letter: “The gentlemen are still to the Northward hunting elephants. Mr Cumming has gone to a sport about a day North West of the Bermangwato for that purpose, the others are on their way down the Limpopo, a new route. Leete’s waggon is reported broken. A part of a tribe names I think in your map were at Sechele’s when I was there last. I could not understand them when they spoke their own language pure. They came to sell picks and gave three large ones for a goat. The Bakwains were afraid that I should tell the Bakhatta of the cheap market they had found... ...You must tell me if I draw too freely on your purse. I don’t know how I stand with you. I have about £15 of this year’s salary yet I may draw on you by some of these gents who will pass us soon. They have beads powder coffee, etc., and if it is convenient for them I may buy. I tell you beforehand by way of preparation saying the dose is bitter. Never mind it will do me good.”


Powered by eBay Turbo Lister