The close of the eighteenth century was distinguished for an extraordinary ardour in the pursuit of geographical discoveries. Navigation had assumed a boldness which naturally gave an impulse to geographical enquiries; and while our ships visited the remotest parts of the globe, it seemed disgraceful that we should still remain in ignorance of the interior of Africa. To promote discovery in this quarter, a society was formed in 1778, and named the African Association. Its object was to employ persons of enterprise and intelligence to explore those unknown countries; supplying them with funds, and directing the movements in such a way as to lead to the most advantageous results. With the formation of this society begins a new era in the history of African discovery.

The first person despatched by the Association was Ledyard, who had attempted, as before noticed, to travel over land to Kamtschatka with the intention of proceeding across the American continent to the United States. He arrived at Cairo in August, 1778, and employed himself for some time in collecting information from the dealers in the slave-markets at Cairo, and in making himself acquainted with the manners of the people. He was ready to proceed by a caravan to Sennaar, whence he intended to go westward towards the Niger, when he was seized with a bilious complaint, which terminated his life.