Livingstone's Zambesi expedition reaches the African coast (1858)

David Livingstone's Second Zambesi expedition, a government-funded venture, arrived at Quelimane in May 1858. Livingstone, appointed as a consul in May 1857, led six specialist officers recruited in the UK. The expedition aimed to explore the Zambezi river, though Livingstone had previously resigned from the London Missionary Society due to funding restrictions.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Livingstone, a Scottish doctor and former missionary, resigned from the London Missionary Society in 1857. He was appointed as her majesty's consul with a roving commission in May 1857. The Foreign Office proposed a large expedition in December 1857, leading to the recruitment of six specialist officers in the UK for a second Zambezi expedition in January 1858.

Expedition Composition. The expedition consisted of Livingstone and six specialist officers hurriedly recruited in the UK. Livingstone had initially envisaged a solo journey with African helpers but agreed to lead this larger government-funded group. The missionaries set out with inadequate supplies of quinine, despite Livingstone's previous health struggles during his earlier journey.

Arrival at Quelimane. Livingstone received a letter from the London Missionary Society at Quelimane, congratulating him on his journey but noting restrictions on aiding plans not directly connected to the Gospel. In February 1858, his area of jurisdiction was stipulated to be "the Eastern Coast of Africa and the independent districts in the interior".

People involved

Sources

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