[No. 99 II. HISTORY CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY 1485 Discovery of Congo by Diogo Cão. 1490–1608 Semi-Christian kingdom of San Salvador under Portuguese influence . 1644–1717 Period of activity of Italian Capuchins with Papal support. 1766–74 Abortive French Catholic mission .

1778 Last Italian mission to San Salvador.

1781–82 Failure of Portuguese Franciscans to reopen rela tions with San Salvador. 1783 Portuguese occupation of Cabinda.

1784 Expulsion of Portuguese from Cabinda by the French .

1816 Effort of Captain Tuckey to explore Congo. 1827–29 Survey of Congo estuary by Captain Owen’s expedi tion .

1855 Activity of European business houses on Congo begins .

1857 Survey continued to Matadi by Captain Hunt .

Dr. Bastian visits San Salvador. 1859–66 Portuguese occupation of San Salvador in favour of Dom Pedro V.

1863 Burton explores Congo to Yalala Falls. 1871 Livingstone reaches Nyangwe on Lualaba (Congo ). 1873–75 Cameron reaches Nyangwe ; he recognizes Lualaba as Congo, but cannot follow stream to mouth.

1876 Leopold II of Belgium summons Geographical Con ference, which creates International African Asso ciation for exploration of Africa and repression of slave-trade. 1877-82 Futile expeditions of Association to east coast of Africa .

1878 Arrival of Stanley in Europe, after crossing Africa and descending Congo from Nyangwe to sea ( 1875-7 ).