Simpson's journal relates the facts attending an aborted expedition to the Niger, whose purpose was "commercial as well as benevolent". The intent of the latter aspect was to spread Christianity deeper into Africa, while at the same time attempting to stem the tide of slavery by cutting it off at its roots - that is, the blacks who made slavery possibly by capturing and selling their fellow countrymen to the white and Arab slave dealers. The expedition was not a success, as it suffered tremendous loss of officers, crew, and religious leaders, almost all stricken by "fever".
A Private Journal Kept During the Niger Expedition, from the Commencement in May, 1841, Until the Recall of the Expedition in June, 1842
