Letters have been received announcing that the expedition got up and sent out last year by Mr. Jamieson, and others, for the purpose of exploring the Niger, with a view to developing the commercial resources of Africa, has again failed. This is the second failure. The following is a copy of a letter read to the Commercial Association:-

Liverpool,
November 9

Sir, It is with extreme sorrow I have to communicate to you unfavourable intelligence of the Ethiope, steamer, and the consequent relinquishment of her re-ascent of the Niger.

Captain Becroft and Dr. King write, that, when upon the Gaboon river, the vessel's boilers suddenly gave way ; and that, although the engineer succeeded in repairing them so as to complete exploration of that river, they afterwards burst so frequently as to render it altogether unsafe to hazard another ascent of the Niger with them. Accordingly, the vessel has been laid up at Fernando Po, under care of Captain Becroft ; and Dr. King is on his way to England.

Upon his arrival a statement of particulars and accounts shall be prepared, and after having been submitted to the committee of subscribers in Liverpool, for examination, they shall be laid before you, with a view to a call on subscriptions, so far, and also to obtain your opinion as to the further prosecution of the enterprise. I may here add, that the Gaboon river was found to be of no importance as a highway to the interior, not being navigable further than the tide ascended ; say some fifty to sixty miles.

Sincerely regretting these untoward circumstances,
I remain, Sir,
your most obedient servant.
Robert Jamieson

SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 112.

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