the bettering of the condition of our country and people, do this day cede to the Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited), for ever, the whole of our territory extending from

We also give to the said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) full power to settle all native disputes arising from any cause whatever, and we pledge ourselves not to enter into any war with other tribes without the sanction of the said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited).

We understand that the said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) have full power to mine, farm, and build in any portion of our country.

We bind ourselves not to have any intercourse with any strangers or foreigners except through the said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited).

In consideration of the foregoing, the said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) bind themselves not to interfere with any of the native laws or customs of the country, consistently with the maintenance of order and good government.

The said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) agree to pay native owners of land a reasonable amount for any portion they may require.

The said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) bind themselves to protect the said Chiefs from the attacks of any neighbouring aggressive tribes.

[Treaties with Native Chiefs.]

The said Royal Niger Company (Chartered and Limited) also agree to pay the said Chiefs measures native

value.

We, the undersigned witnesses, do hereby solemnly declare that the Chiefs whose names are placed opposite their respective crosses have in our presence affixed their crosses of their own free will and consent, and that the said has in our presence affixed his signature.

declare that I am well acquainted with the language of the

country, and that on the day of

188,

I truly and faithfully explained the above Agreement to all the Chiefs present, and that they understood its meaning.

do cede to the National African Company (Limited), of London, their heirs and assigns, for ever, all our territory extending from with all sovereign rights.

We also agree that no one shall have a right to mine in our country (either foreigner or native) without the sanction of the National African Company, their heirs or assigns.

We also give to the National African Company, their heirs or assigns, the power to exclude all or any foreigners from our country.

The National African Company agree to govern on the basis of the native laws as among the natives themselves, and not to interfere with the rights of private property.

The National African Company agree to pay, as Sovereign, a subsidy of six pieces of cloth per annum to the former Rulers of the country.

I,

Witness:

Signatures:

Declaration by Interpreter.

native of

do hereby declare

that I am well acquainted with the

language, and

have interpreted the foregoing to the King and Chiefs, and

[Treaties with Native Chiefs.]

the one hand, and the National African Company (Limited) on the other hand.

As in past times, disputes and palavers have arisen among the various European and other strangers and foreigners in the River Niger, and between these and the natives, and, as it is desirable to prevent such disputes and palavers again occurring by making a perpetual settlement, placing under one supreme authority all relations and affairs between the natives of and all strangers and foreigners: Therefore we, the Head Chief and Chiefs, and people of , being assembled in and acting in accordance with the laws of our country, do (in consideration of the in goods, receipt of which we hereby acknowledge, and in consideration of the further annual payment mentioned below), hereby promise and bind ourselves and our successors to keep and fulfil the following Articles of this Agreement:

1. We give and grant to the National African Company (Limited) the entire and sole authority to grant, on such terms as that Company may think fit, to European or other strangers and foreigners, the right to trade, to work mines, to cultivate ground, to gather produce of any kind, or to carry on any other occupations in our country; and we agree that we will not grant such rights to, nor deal in any way with, any strangers and foreigners, nor enter into any Treaties. whatever with them, without the consent and authority of the National African Company (Limited).

2. We promise full liberty and protection to the National African Company (Limited) in carrying on its various trades, mining operations, and all other occupations, and we give and grant to that Company complete freedom and immunity from or other taxes of any kind whatever.

3. We agree that the National African Company (Limited) shall have the sole right to supply all other strangers and foreigners with wood and other fuel.

4. We agree that the National African Company (Limited) shall have the sole and exclusive right to impose, farm, and retain for its own benefit, all and any duties it may think proper on goods landed by any strangers or foreigners from