As it has been asserted in the following extract, that my translation of the foregoing manuscript differs _only in a trifling degree_ from that of Mr. Abraham Salamé, I here insert my answer to that assertion, leaving the intelligent reader to determine, whether they are alike or materially different.
The death of this enterprising traveller is now placed beyond any doubt. Many accounts of it have been received, and although varying as to the circumstances attending it, yet all agreeing that it has taken place. One statement was given to Mr. Bowdich, while on his mission to the King of the Ashantees, in 1817, by a Moor, who said that he was an eye-witness; and the same gentleman procured an Arabic manuscript declaratory of Mr. Park's death. This manuscript has been deposited with the African Association, formed for the 413 purpose of extending researches in that part of the world. Two translations have been made of this curious document; one by Mr. Salamé, an Egyptian, who accompanied Viscount Exmouth in his attack on Algiers, as interpreter; and the other by Mr. Jackson, formerly consul at one of the Barbary courts. The following is Mr. Salamé's translation, from which, however, _the one by Mr. Jackson only differs in a trifling degree_. The words in italics have been inserted by Mr. Salamé, in order to render the reading more perfect, and are not in the original:--
_A literal Translation of a Declaration written in a corrupted Arabic, from the Town of Yaud, in the Interior of Africa_.
"'In the name of God, the merciful and the munificent. This declaration is issued from the town called Yaud, in the county of Kossa. We (the writer) do witness the _following_ case (statement.) We never saw, nor heard of the sea (river) called Koodd; but we sat to hear (understood) the voice (report) of some persons, _saying_, 'We saw a ship, equal to her we never saw before; and the King of Yaud had sent plenty of every kind of food, with cows and sheep; _there_ were two men, one woman, two male slaves, and two maids in the ship; _the_ two white men _were_ derived from the race (sect) 414 of Nassri (Christ, or Christianity.) The King of Yaud asked them to come out to him (to land); but they refused coming out (landing); and they went to the _King_ of the country of Bassa, who is greater than the King of Yaud; and _while_ they _were_ sitting in the ship, and gaining a position (rounding) over the Cape of Koodd, and _were_ in society with the people of the King of Bassa, the ship reached (struck) a head of mountain, which took (destroyed) _her_ away, and the men and women of Bassa all together, with every kind of arms (goods); and the ship could find no way to avoid the mountain; and the man who _was_ in the ship, killed his wife, and threw all his property into the sea (river), and _then_ they threw themselves _also_, from fear. Afterwards they took one _out of the_ water till the news reached the town of Kanji, the country of the King of Wawi; and the King of Wawi heard of it; he buried him in his earth (grave), and the other we have not seen; perhaps he is in the bottom of the water. And God knows best.' Authentic from the mouth of Sherif Abraham.--Finis.'