'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎7] (18/905)

PREFACE.
In presenting the following pages, and an atlas containing four
teen maps, to the Public, the Author considers it incumbent on
him to avail himself of the privilege afforded by a Preface, for
the purpose of explaining the circumstances under which the
work has been executed. He is particularly bound to notice
three points:—first, the object of the enterprise, and the manner
in which it was committed to his management; secondly, the
plan of the present work; and, lastly, the causes which have
delayed its appearance.
The appointment to the command of the Expedition occurred
in a manner little anticipated. The Author was about to return
to England at the termination of hostilities in 1829, after having
visited the Russian and Turkish armies in Roumelia, towards the
close of that year, when the British Ambassador at the Porte,
the late Sir Robert Gordon, suggested that a tour similar to
that which had been just made, should be undertaken, for the
purpose of ascertaining the state of the other Turkish pro
vinces; and as this suggestion removed all difficulties about
leave of absence, an extensive journey was forthwith planned.
On learning that the city of Baghdad was to be visited in the
course of the proposed journey, the late Consul-General in Con
stantinople, Mr. Cartwright, recommended the accomplishment
of a project, which, it appears, had been drawn up by Mr. Peacock
of the India House, for determining the depth, current, and