Expedition was sent in accordance with the settled policy of the English
Government; and the Earl of Clarendon, being then at the head of the
Foreign Office, the Mission was organized under his immediate care. When
a change of Government ensued, we experienced the same generous
countenance and sympathy from the Earl of Malmesbury, as we had
previously received from Lord Clarendon; and, on the accession of Earl
Russell to the high office he has so long filled, we were always favoured
with equally ready attention and the same prompt assistance. Thus the
conviction was produced that our work embodied the principles, not of any
one party, but of the hearts of the statesmen and of the people of
England generally. The Expedition owes great obligations to the Lords of
the Admiralty for their unvarying readiness to render us every assistance
in their power; and to the warm-hearted and ever-obliging hydrographer to
the Admiralty, the late Admiral Washington, as a subordinate, but most
effective agent, our heartfelt gratitude is also due; and we must ever
thankfully acknowledge that our efficiency was mainly due to the kind
services of Admirals Sir Frederick Grey, Sir Baldwin Walker, and all the
naval officers serving under them on the East Coast. Nor must I omit to
record our obligations to Mr. Skead, R.N. The Luawe was carefully
sounded and surveyed by this officer, whose skilful and zealous labours,
both on that river, and afterwards on the Lower Zambesi, were deserving
of all praise.

In speaking of what has been done by the Expedition, it should always be
understood that Dr. Kirk, Mr. Charles Livingstone, Mr. R. Thornton, and
others composed it. In using the plural number they are meant, and I
wish to bear testimony to the untiring zeal, energy, courage, and
perseverance with which my companions laboured; undaunted by
difficulties, dangers, or hard fare. It is my firm belief that, were
their services required in any other capacity, they might be implicitly