The African Association, while Ledyard was still traveling, had enlisted Simon Lucas to attempt a mission from the northern end of the continent, starting at Tripoli.

He speaks fluent Arabic and, having spent time in Morocco, is already friendly with the Tripolitanian ambassador.

After arriving in Tripoli in October 1788, Lucas finds guides to take him across the Libyan Desert but their journey is continually delayed by tribal wars blocking the route.

Soon his guides abandon him, and he is forced to limp back to England.

He has, however, acquired some valuable information about the southern Libyan region.