From the Archives 1872 Dr Livingstone found alive

150 years ago, Henry Stanley found Dr David Livingstone - who had been feared dead - in Ujiji, Tanzania. Herald readers learnt details of the encounter in this letter, published almost 9 months later.By Staff reporter and H.A. Fraser November 10, 2021 â€" 12.00amNormal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size

First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on July 30, 1872

DR. LIVINGSTONE. (excerpt)

The following letter from Zanzibar, which we extract from the Bombay Gazette, gives particulars of the meeting between Mr Stanley, of the New York Herald, and Dr. Livingstone, and the return of the Livingstone Search Expedition, and also touches on some points which appear to be rather damaging to the reputation of Dr Kirk .

The meeting of Stanley and Livingstone, November 10, 1871.

Zanzibar, 30th May
Sir - Dr Livingstone was met with and relieved at Ujiji by Mr Stanley, of the New York Herald; consequently, the “Livingstone Search and Relief Expedition” is broken up, and the members are on route for England.

Mr Stanley found Livingstone ill, and almost destitute; but the Doctor soon recovered health and strength, and the two crossed the Tangonika [sic] Lake, and journeyed round its northern end. Mr Stanley is said to have stated that they had determined the fact that there was no effluent from the north end of the lake flowing towards the Albert or Victoria Nyanza. If so, I fear the Doctor’s former idea, which I believe he entertained, of the Tangonika being a main feeder of the Nile, will have to be abandoned.

Mr Manley left Livingstone at Unyanyembe in excellent health and spirits. He was waiting there for supplies and men, which he had commissioned Mr Stanley to send him from Zanzibar, and which were dispatched a few days since to join him.

Livingstone intends, on receipt of his supplies and men, to prosecute his researches for two years more, and then return home.

It is said he has addressed an official despatch to Dr. Kirk, Acting British Consul and Political Agent here, containing very grave charges against the latter, principally for alleged remissness in failing to forward supplies, and for having enjoined men (who, after long delay, conveyed some supplies to Livingstone) not to take service under him, nor to remain with him. He also accuses the principal native firm here of speculation and slave dealing.

H. A. Fraser

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