[AFRICA / EXPLORERS / SLAVERY / MANUSCRIPT] Autograph letter signed 'Samuel Baker', adressed to 'Dear Mr. Bates'

SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER, (1821-1893)., Manuscript ALS., London, [circa 1880].

Original manuscript autograph letter signed (ALS) 'Samuel Baker', addressed to "Dear Mr. Bates", written on a "Jenner & Knewstub's Charta Perfecta" watermarked paper, with a legible manuscript. 18 x 11.5 cm (Open size is 18x22,5 cm). "19 Seymour Street W." heading, full on a bifolium, sent from "Marine Hotel, Cowes", dated 14 April, no year, but should be before 1884 (the year when Colonel Gordon was killed in Khartoum). A couple of pinholes, overall very good letter.

An important letter by Samuel Baker (1821-1893), to Mr. Bates. Also held the titles of Pasha and Major-General in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. He served as the Governor-General of the Equatorial Nile Basin (today's South Sudan and Northern Uganda) between April 1869 and August 1873, which he established as the Province of Equatoria. He is mostly remembered as the first European to visit Lake Albert, as an explorer of the Nile and interior of central Africa, and for his exploits as a big game hunter in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Baker wrote a considerable number of books and published many articles. He was a friend to King Edward VII, who as Prince of Wales, visited Baker with Queen Alexandra in Egypt. He wrote mostly about slave trade in Central Africa, Colonel [later Major-General] Charles George Gordon (1833-1885), Egypt and the Sudanese government, Khartoum and Nubar Pasha (1825-1899), David Livingstone (1813-1873), etc.

"I am sorry to say that I cannot have the melancholy satisfaction of accompanying for Livingstone, remains on Saturday. The doctor sent me away from London to (??) as have never been the same since I had that severe attack. Pneumonia on my first arrival in England, and after my ? at Liverpool I was laid off with a truth of the old complaint - this is the second time it has recurred. Of Livingstone were alive I would see any risk to serve him if (?) but I should profit with the circumstances to run the chance of a relapse point to tour to attend a funeral, where half the... I see by the "times" of this day never from Egypt declaring that Colonel Gordon [Charles George] me, (?) has taken into his employ, the (so-called "chief") the greatest have had any [.] with companies, who represents again to - slave hunting par excellence of Central Africa! I left this man in prison at Cairo with the premier from the Governor that he should the hinges - (I have never in my (?) Nubar Pacha's receipt for 17 documents - evidence against him deposed by numerous (?) ie - officers - native chiefs - (?) - including his own people (this part is underlined) and his own head-men - that he inherited his people to fire at me, am that he had (?) slaves... Is it possible that a British officer can employ such a villain who has at every (?) opposed one attempt to surprise the slave trade? I still tiny to the hope that the statement in the "times" is untrue - attempt, unfortunately, I have heard the same report direct from Egypt. If true, - all my time will have been lost, and any work will be (?) * as the resuming above Javvi (the man in (?)) will by bribery the interpretation be able to mislead Colonel Gordon, who is ignorant in Arabia. My last (?) was to overtake them refresh will 700 slaves (?) belonging to Abou Javvi in the (?) to Khartoum! This is the man whom the report says Colonel Gordon has engaged as an assistant. Can own Society find (?) the truth? Very truly yours, Samuel Baker."

Samuel Baker was an English explorer, officer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer, writer, and abolitionist. He also held the titles of Pasha and Major-General in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. He served as the Governor-General of the Equatorial Nile Basin (today's South Sudan and Northern Uganda) between April 1869 and August 1873, which he established as the Province of Equatoria. He is mostly remembered as the first European to visit Lake Albert, as an explorer of the Nile and interior of central Africa, and for his exploits as a big game hunter in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Baker wrote a considerable number of books and published articles. He was a friend of King Edward VII, who as Prince of Wales, visited Baker with Queen Alexandra in Egypt. Other friendships were with explorers Henry Morton Stanley, Roderick Murchison, John H. Speke, and James A. Grant, with the ruler of Egypt Pasha Ismail The Magnificent, Major-General Charles George Gordon, and Maharaja Duleep Singh.