Editorial note — Chapter IX
Reading edition
Note.—The following is a copy of the original treaty concluded with the chief of the Egba nation, 5th Jan. 1852, and abridged from ‘Hertslet’s Commercial Treaties,’ vol. ix.:—
Frederick Edwyn Forbes, Esq., Additional Commander of H.M.S. ‘Penelope,’ on the part of Her Majesty the Queen of England, to the chiefs of the Egba nation and of the neighbourhood, on the part of themselves and of their country have agreed upon the following Articles and Conditions:—
I. Prohibits export of slaves to foreign countries under severe punishment.
II. No slave-traders to reside in territory of the king or chiefs of Lagos, and no buildings to be erected for the purpose of slave-trade; with permission to British officers to destroy such if the king consents.
III. Boats engaged in such slave-trade may be seized by British officers.
IV. Slaves for exportation shall be delivered to British for conveyance to British colonies, where they shall be liberated.
V. European slave treaty to be respected, and slave factories if not converted to lawful purposes within three months to be destroyed.
VI. British subjects may buy and sell throughout dominions, and have favours and privileges of most favoured nation.
VII. Abolishes human sacrifices for religious purposes, and prisoners taken in war not to be murdered.
VIII. Affords complete protection to missionaries; allows houses, schools, and chapels to be built by missionaries or ministers, and sets apart places of sepulture.
IX. Power reserved to French Government to become party to the treaty, agreeably with provisions contained in Art. V. of the convention between Her Majesty and the King of the French for the suppression of the traffic in slaves, signed at London, May 29, 1845.
In faith of which we have hereunto set our hands and seals at Abe, 5 Jan. 1852.
(L. S.) F. E. Forbes,
Sagbua. Obasaron. Ogubonna. Sikeno.
Presidents of Abeokuta, or the Egba race.
Tambala, Bulagon of Ikerehu. Akionme for Arroba, Egba Agorra.
Imemunu, Owu. Lagemo, Owe.
SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY.
Art. I. That Sierra Leone emigrants, natives of whatsoever country, are not allowed to be kidnapped.
Art. II. That we will not attempt to hinder the advance of missionaries, merchants, or others into the interior.
In faith of which we have hereunto set our hands and seals at Abe, 5 Jan. 1852.
Signed and sealed by the same parties.