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During the dry season of 1895, Brasseur, his deputy Delvin and their regular soldiers embarked on a journey to the Bena Mitumba and the Sanga of the upper Dikulwe River. One of the aims of the tour, which also took them to the copper-producing district of chief Katanga, was to establish a number of military outposts entrusted with the task of collecting tribute for Lofoi. As the letter included in part II clarifies, the party was accompanied by a large Yeke auxiliary contingent led by Mukanda Bantu. Over the course of the journey, Brasseur took the side of the Yeke during the succession dispute that followed the death of one of Msiri’s former subordinates, Kalala Ngombe. Late in July 1895, following a short stay in Lofoi, Brasseur left it again to travel to the north-western corner of Lake Mweru, where he visited Luanza, the mission founded by Dan Crawford.

The four letters that make up part V illuminate some of the main challenges faced by Brasseur’s in late 1896-early 1897: Lofoi’s dire supply situation, his declining health condition and the floods and locust invasion which destroyed the station’s crops. In addition to describing his personal art collection and family life, Brasseur’s also provides accounts of both Cerckel’s journey to Lomotwa country and Mukanda Bantu’s unsupervised conquering foray to the upper Lualaba River.

The three letters included in the first part of the volume chronicle Brasseur’s first year and a half in Katanga. They are especially notable for the ethnographic observations they contain and for providing much information on Brasseur’s developing relationship with Mukanda Bantu, Msiri’s son and successor, and his armed followers. Also dealt with are the military expeditions against Shimba, a slave and ivory trader settled on Kilwa Island, Lake Mweru, and the Sanga leader Mutwila.

The three letters included in part III date to the rainy season of 1895-1896, which Brasseur spent mainly in a newly rebuilt Lofoi station. Besides meticulously recording every consignment of ivory and other local products he received, Brasseur also reacts to the news of the Luluabourg (or ‘Batetela’) Rebellion of July 1895 and comments on his increasingly tense relationships with the Plymouth Brethren missionaries. Also available is a detailed account of the military defeat that the east African slave trader Kiwala inflicted on Brasseur’s deputies, Delvin and Cerckel, and Mukanda Bantu early in May 1896.