"When you shall have prepared whatever may be necessary for securing the
objects of the expedition at Goree, you are to proceed up the river
Gambia; and thence crossing over to the Senegal to march by such route
as you shall find most eligible, to the banks of the Niger.

"The great object of your journey will be to pursue the course of this
river to the utmost possible distance to which it can be traced; to
establish communication and intercourse with the different nations on
the banks; to obtain all the local knowledge in your power respecting
them; and to ascertain the various points stated in the Memoir which you
delivered to me on the 4th of October last.

"And you will be then at liberty to pursue your route homewards by any
line you shall think most secure, either by taking a new direction
through the Interior towards the Atlantic, or by marching upon Cairo by
taking the route leading to Tripoli.

"You are hereby empowered to draw for any sum that you may be in want
of, not exceeding L5000. upon the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury, or
upon such mercantile banking-house in London as you may fix upon.

"I am, &c.

"CAMDEN.

"_To Mungo Park, Esq.
&c. &c. &c._"


The preparations for the expedition being now entirely completed, Park,