Author, explorer, and special correspondent for the New York Herald (1841-1904), most famous for his inquiry, ‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume?,’ upon finding David Livingstone, a fellow explorer who had become lost in the wilds of Africa. ALS, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10, August 20, 1881. Letter written from the "Congo River, West Coast of Africa," in part: "Of course I cannot possibly know that you are at Luanda but I wish it. I have sent Mr. Valcke to your city to purchase for me a few articles which I cannot get on the Congo, but as we do not keep gold on the river at our stations I can only scrape just enough to take him to Luanda. I have given him 3 bills of exchange for £400, leaving the payee's name in blank. I shall feel greatly obliged to you if you fill this blank up with the names of your firm & give the gold to Mr. Valcke and render him any assistance in your power to promote & further the commission I have entrusted him with. He is no business man therefore your assistance will be most valuable to him & I shall consider it another important service rendered by you to your old & sincere friend." In very good condition, with intersecting folds, overall creasing, a small stain to the upper left corner of the first page, and old mounting residue on the back of the last page.
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