Tisdel to Rear-Admiral English, January 31, 1885

Mr. Tisdel to Rear-Admiral English.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am leaving to-morrow for Stanley Pool, and having received from both the State and Navy Departments a copy of the instructions which have been given you, I beg to refer thereto, and offer the following suggestions:

In regard to that portion of your instructions wherein you are directed to communicate with me, I do not see how it will be possible for you to do so until my return from the interior, when I will join you on board the flag-ship and gladly give you the benefit of any and all information of which I may be possessed.

As to the detail of an officer or officers to proceed to Stanley Pool, I beg you to communicate with Colonel Sir Francis de Winton before making such detail, as he alone can order the necessary arrangements to be made and give you valuable information and suggestions as to the manner in which the detail should proceed. They should accompany a caravan, and be provided with all necessary stores, tents, cooking utensils, &c., and under no circumstances should a sailor or marine be allowed to accompany them. Every white man requires from six to twelve carriers, and every carrier takes from the International Association a much required laborer, and is a drain upon the treasury of the Association. Excepting from a scientific point of view, I cannot see what is to be gained by sending an officer or officers to the interior, and if it is for scientific purposes that the detail is made, no possible good can come from it without a special and large caravan, which should be fitted out at the expense of the United States Government, and under the direction of Colonel de Winton. In my opinion such a caravan would require at least four months to march to and from the Pool.

Unless you consider that your instructions are imperative upon this subject, I would recommend that the proposed expedition to the Pool be abandoned, and that you confine your operations to the valley of the Lower Congo.

As soon as your arrival at Banana is announced Colonel de Winton will go in person to the coast to welcome you, and I beg that you will arrange with him to salute the flag of the Association. The United States having been first to recognize the flag of the Association as the flag of a friendly power, we should also be the first to salute the flag, and that honor has been reserved for us up to the present time.

Colonel de Winton will give you an especial invitation to visit Vivi, and I sincerely hope that you will avail yourself of the earliest opportunity to come here. The officers of your command will also find a welcome at the different stations, Colonel de Winton having already sent the necessary instructions.

If it is your intention to send the Kearsarge up the river, I most earnestly recommend that the navigating officer of the ship be sent over the entire lower river before the ship passes beyond Banana. The survey and soundings of the lower river are bad; the banks are constantly shifting; sunken rocks are numerous; the current is very rapid, and dangerous whirlpools are encountered, yet there is an abundance of water to float the largest ship to Boma, and without doubt far beyond. A Portuguese ship of war has recently ascended the river to a point near Kala Kala, about 12 miles from Vivi, and found at many places 150 fathoms and upward.

It is my intention to reach the coast again anywhere from the 20th of March to the 20th of April, as, traveling by special caravan, I hope and expect to make good time.

I have, &c.,