prosperity of this line of coast to an unlimited extent, the occupation of Lagos, either as a possession, or by way of protectorate. Lagos, from being a haunt of piratical slave-dealers in 1851, has, from its geographical position, and the great resources of the countries adjoining, of which it is the natural outlet, become the seat of a most important and increasing legal trade. The value of the exports, even during the past year, by no means a favourable one, is nearly 250,000l. sterling, as seen by the report which I have had the honour to transmit to your Lordship. This place is the natural entrepôt of an immense country abounding in unlimited resources; and it is also the natural basis of operations for extending the blessings of industry, commerce, and Christian civilization to this portion of Central Africa, but it can never fully serve these great purposes under the Native Government. The increase of trade, of civilized ideas, and European interests and habits, demand that there should be such an administration of Government as to give an efficient protection to property. The progress of the place in importance must be arrested unless some provision be made for this purpose. Every increase of European civilization, in fact, every increase of the elements of prosperity, only at present makes matters worse by rendering the Government of the King and Chiefs, who are averse to all progress, and dislike whatever is different from what prevailed among their ancestors, more contemptible and intolerable; whilst in the civilized portion of the community the jealousy of sections is so great, that no practical system of administration could be framed unless presided over by a governing head, possessed of sufficient authority to keep the discordant elements of society together. Lagos, at present, may be said to have no Government; there is no effective protection to property, no mode of enforcing the payment of debts. applicable to Europeans; and the wonder is that in such a state of things there are so few disturbances. The presence of the Brune, inefficiently manned as she is by 25 kroomen, if not a source of security, is at least the symbol of protection; and I believe the removal of that vessel would, at present, be viewed as an invitation to internal disorder and external assault. Fortifications have been spoken of, and such works could easily be raised, and at little expense, but they would be of no use unless placed under civilized command. The Native Government could turn them to no account, and would only allow them to fall into ruin, whilst, from the cause already stated, no armed force could be raised through the aid of the civilized portion of the community, without an independent governing authority whom the various jealous sections might respect. Again, this Consulate exercises at present a feeble, irregular, and irresponsible jurisdiction over a variety of judicial, police, and even administrative matters, which have gradually been pressed within the range of its action, which occupy nearly the whole of the Consular officer's time, but which have no relation whatever to a Consul's ordinary duties. This jurisdiction has been acquiesced in by the various sections as matter of necessity, knowing that the Consulate is the only place where their cases will be heard with impartiality; but, in a large and increasing commercial community, there are questions of great importance affecting trade and property frequently arising, which the Consul has not the means, even if he had the authority, of dealing with in a satisfactory manner. To do justice to this place, therefore, and to put it in a position to become what it seems by nature intended to be in relation to this portion of Central Africa, it appears to me requisite that something should be done without delay in the way I have indicated; and I believe such a measure would be hailed with delight by the people here; and, by ensuring protection to property, and a regular administration of justice, it would give a great impulse to the prosperity of Lagos and the adjoining country. Lord J. Russell. (Extract.) No. 4.-Lord J. Russell to Consul Foote. G. BRAND. Foreign Office, June 22, 1861. IN a former despatch I informed you that the question as to whether the island of Lagos should be taken possession of as a British dependency was still under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and I have now to inform you that this question has been decided in the affirmative. It is not without some reluctance that Her Majesty's Government have determined, by the occupation of Lagos, to extend the number of British dependencies on the African coast; but they have been induced to come to this determination because they are convinced that the permanent occupation of this important point in the Bight of Benin is indispensable to the complete suppression of the Slave Trade in the Bight, whilst it will give great aid and support to the development of lawful commerce, and will check the aggressive spirit of the King of Dahomey, whose barbarous wars, and encouragement to slave-trading, are the chief cause of disorder in that part of Africa. But in carrying this determination into effect, there are several questions of importance which require consideration. Her Majesty's Government would be most unwilling that the establishment of British Sovereignty at Lagos should be attended with any injustice to Docemo, the present Chief of the island; but they conceive that as his tenure of the island in point of fact depends entirely upon the continuance of the protection which has been afforded to him and his predecessor by the British naval authorities since the expulsion of Kosoko, no injustice will be inflicted upon him by changing this anomalous protectorate into an avowed occupation, provided his material interests are secured. It will be right, therefore, to assign him an adequate pension to be paid out of the revenue of the island, unless it should be advisable to continue him in some situation or employment under the British officer who may be appointed to administer the affairs of the island, in which case the remuneration for his services may be a sufficient provision for him without a special compensation. If you should think it advisable at once to take temporary possession of Lagos pending the final arrangements, you are authorized to do so; but you will carefully explain to King Docemo the motives that have induced Her Majesty's Government to take this step. You will inform him that Her Majesty's Government are not actuated by any dissatisfaction with his conduct, but that, on the contrary, they have every wish to deal with him in a liberal and friendly spirit; and that their object in taking this step is to secure for ever the free population of Lagos from the slave-traders and kidnappers who formerly oppressed them; to protect and develop the important trade of which their town is the seat, and to exercise an influence on the surrounding tribes which may, it is to be hoped, be permanently beneficial to the African race. You will not take any steps for establishing British Sovereignty until you have concerted with the Commodore in command of Her Majesty's naval forces on the African station, or with the senior officer of the Bights Division, as to the measures which may be necessary on the occasion, and it will be well that, previously to taking possession, you should obtain from King Docemo and his head men, a Treaty of Cession, duly signed and executed. But whether you deem it advisable at once to take possession of Lagos, or to defer this step until after you have communicated further with Her Majesty's Government on the subject, you will in either case report to me fully your opinion as to the amount and nature of the compensation to be awarded to Docemo, which you will not positively fix until you have obtained the sanction of Her Majesty's Government, the arrangements which you would propose for administering the Government of the island, the probable expenditure, and the amount of revenue which may be raised to meet that expenditure, and, generally, as to the effect which the change of Sovereignty may be expected to produce on the state of affairs in the island. You will, moreover, report, after consultation with the senior naval officer on the station, as to the amount of force which will be required for the maintenance of British authority on the island, and for the protection of the place from attacks on the part of the neighbouring Chiefs. You will bear in mind, however, that it will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government strictly to avoid all aggression upon the surrounding Chiefs, and that it is on every account desirable to keep the expedition for this purpose within the narrowest limits compatible with the safety of the place. I have requested the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to whom I have transmitted copy of this despatch, to issue instructions in conformity therewith to the officer commanding Her Majesty's naval forces on the West Coast of Africa. H. G. Foote, Esq. J. RUSSELL. No. 5.-Acting Consul McCoskry to Lord J. Russell.-(Rec. July 11.) I DEEM the establishment of a Consular guard here of so much importance that I take the liberty of calling your Lordship's attention to the subject. The progress of Lagos in civilization is much too fast to please the Native Chiefs who pay allegiance to Docemo; they cannot compete either in mercantile or agricultural pursuits with the emigrants from Sierra Leone, Brazil, and Cuba, and the consequence is they go back to their old predatory habits, and the King is unable to control them. At present a native accused of theft, robbery, or any other offence, seeks the protection of one of the Chiefs, and refuses to face his accusers, and were the King to send men to arrest him they would be sure to commit excesses either by maltreating the person or plundering his house, and this would lead to serious disturbances, perhaps to civil war. On the other hand, were a few men of a Consular guard accompanied by a messenger from the King and Consul sent to arrest any man, even a Chief, I am certain he would submit quietly; they already know that at least they will be treated fairly at the Consulate, and if acquitted they are free, and incur no expense. Any one, however, who renders necessary the services of the King's people, if even for his own arrest, has to pay dearly for them. With such a state of things the numerous applications at the Consulate by all classes of the population for the settlement of differences and disputes of all kinds are to be expected, and it is only when we have to call upon the King to carry out the decisions that any difficulty is experienced: this a Consular guard would obviate. On many occasions when the Consul is absent on duty, the "Brune" may also be absent; such a time is the most likely to be seized upon for any attack on Lagos, and then a guard at the Consulate would be most useful: they would serve to give confidence to the inhabitants and maintain order. In all circumstances that may occur to occasion any extraordinary risk to life and property, the Consulate is the place where the best protection is expected, and which a guard can only enable it effectually to give. I do not say that there are at present any prospects of danger in Lagos, but there are, and will be for years to come, the elements of strife between the emigrants and the aboriginal population, and it will take good management to prevent any outbreak till the fusion be complete. The guard need not be numerous, but they ought to be good men; 30 men would be sufficient; they could be easily increased, if thought necessary, by enlisting some of the numerous runaway slaves from Whydah and neighbourhood, many of them well formed. and intelligent men, who would be satisfied with less than the usual pay. There will be no objections on the part of the King here to the establishment of the guard, on the contrary, he will be well pleased, and so will all the mercantile and industrious community. Lord J. Russell. I have, &c. W. McCOSKRY. No. 5*-Orders addressed to Rear-Admiral Sir B. Walker. By the Commissioners for Executing the Office Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great land, &c. June 28, 1861. of Lord High Britain and Ire HER Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs having, in a letter dated the 22nd instant, transmitted to us the copy of a despatch to Mr. Foote, Her Majesty's Consul at Lagos, in which are stated the reasons which have determined the British Government to take possession of the island of Lagos, and having signified to us the Queen's commands that the senior naval officer on the west coast of Africa should be instructed to co-operate with Mr. Foote in carrying into effect the views of Her Majesty's Government, we send you, for your information and guidance, copy of the above-mentioned letter* and of its inclosure, and also copy of a further letter of the 24th instant, from the Foreign Office, with extract of its inclosure, from which you will perceive that if the occupation of Lagos cannot be effected or maintained without * Merely a transmitting letter. |