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The Sanford Exploring Expedition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2009

James P. White
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Extract

The Sanford Exploring Expedition was Henry Shelton Sanford's main financial interest in Africa. Sanford established the Expedition in 1886 to foster trade development along the upper Congo. Possessing special State concessions granted by Leopold II of Belgium, Sanford's company founded settlements at Kinshasa, Matadi, South Mancagues, Luebe and Equator, and brought the first commercial steamer over the cataracts to Stanley Pool. This steamer, the Florida, proved of little value, yet a second steamer, the New York, was purchased in 1887. Lt. Emory H. Taunt was the principal company agent, the administrator in Africa; William S. Parminter was second in authority. Delays caused by damages to the Florida and hardships in establishing trading settlements on the Congo drained the company's capital. In 1888 Sanford tried to interest various American businessmen—A. H. Alden, George H. Alden, Charles B. Flint, John D. Rockefeller, H. M. Flagler and others—in investing in the expedition. His attempt failed, and after brief negotiations with an English financier, M. Rilneff, the Sanford board made agreements with a Belgian firm. In December 1889 the Sanford Exploring Expedition merged with a Belgian organization, becoming the Société Anonyme Beige pour i'Industrie et Commerce du Haut Congo. Sanford retained a minor interest in the company, but his stock was sold by his widow shortly after his death.

Type
Articles
Information
The Journal of African History , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , July 1967 , pp. 291 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1967

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References

1 The Intemational Association of the Congo is not the African International Association. It appears the name was adopted to foster confusion between the companies. The International Association of the Congo even adopted the same flag as of the African International Association.Google Scholar

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82 Ibid.

83 Ibid.

84 ‘Sanford Exploring Expedition: Liquidation Papers, Balser and Company, 1888–1889’, S.P., Box 21.Google Scholar