AFRICA. (East Coast.)

ACT to amend "The Slave Trade (East African Courts Act, 1873"* (Aden, Zanzibar, Muscat, Madagascar, Egypt).

[42 & 43 Vict., c. 38.]

[August 11, 1879.] BE it enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. This Act may be cited as "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1879."

This Act shall be construed as one with "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873," and that Act and this Act may be cited together as "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Acts, 1873 and 1879."

Vice-Admiralty Courts at Aden, Consular Courts at Zanzibar, Muscat, and Madagascar.

2. Whereas by Section 2 of "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873," the term "East African Courts" is defined to mean the Vice-Admiralty Court at Aden, and any of Her Majesty's Consuls within the dominions of the Sovereigns of Zanzibar, Muscat, and Madagascar, when exercising jurisdiction in pursuance of the Order in Council recited in the said Act, and it is expedient to amend the said definition, be it therefore enacted as follows:

In The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873," the term "East African Courts" shall mean the Vice-Admiralty Court at Aden, and any of Her Majesty's Consular officers within the dominions of the Sovereigns of Zanzibar, Muscat, and Madagascar, on whom jurisdiction in relation to vessels captured on suspicion of being engaged in the Slave Trade, or otherwise in relation to the Slave Trade, has been conferred by an Order in Council, made whether before or after the passing of this Act.

So much of Section 2 of "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873," as defines the term "East African Courts is hereby repealed, without prejudice to anything already done or suffered in pursuance thereof.

Treaties to which Act applies.

3. Whereas by Section 7 of "The Slave Trade (East * 36 & 37 Vict. c. 59. See Vol. 14. Page 3.

African Courts) Act, 1873," Her Majesty is authorized by Order in Council to direct that a Treaty in relation to the Slave Trade made by or on behalf of Her Majesty with any of the foreign States therein mentioned in Arabia or Africa shall be deemed to be an existing East African Slave Trade Treaty within the meaning of the above-mentioned Act:

Treaty with Egyptian Government.

And whereas doubts have arisen as to whether the said section applies to a Treaty with the Government of Egypt, and it is expedient to remove such doubts, be it therefore enacted as follows:

A Treaty in relation to the Slave Trade made either before or after the passing of this Act by or on behalf of Her Majesty with the Government of Egypt shall be deemed to be a Treaty in relation to the Slave Trade to which Section 7 of "The Slave Trade (East African Courts) Act, 1873," applies, and Orders in Council in relation to such Treaty may be made accordingly in pursuance of the said section.

Jurisdiction over British Vessels.

4. Each of the East African Courts shall have the same jurisdiction in regard to a British vessel seized on suspicion of being engaged in or fitted out for the Slave Trade, and to the persons, slaves, goods, and effects on board thereof, when the vessel, in pursuance of any existing East African Slave Trade Treaty, is seized and brought for trial by the commander or officer of any ship belonging to the foreign state with whom such Treaty is made, as such Court would have if the vessel had been seized by the commander or officer of any of Her Majesty's ships.

AFRICA. (West Coast.)

TREATIES of Peace, Commerce, Slave Trade, &c., between Great Britain and Native Chiefs and States on the West Coast of Africa. 1868-1871.

(1.)-TREATY with Ahwoonlah and Addah. Peace. Volta River. Settlement of Disputes, &c. Volta River, November 30, 1868.*

TREATY OF PEACE between Her Majesty and the Ahwoonlah and Addah Nations of the Protectorate, entered into at the River Volta, on board the colonial steamer Eyo, this 30th

See also Treaty, May 10, 1871. Page 4.

day of November, 1868, through the mediation and in the presence of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, C.B., Governor-inChief, on the part of Her Majesty the Queen of England, and between the undersigned Representatives of the Ahwoonlah and Addah Nations of the Protectorate.

WHEREAS an unhappy war broke out in the month of March, 1865, and has continued up to this time, whereby much damage has been caused to the trade and social welfare of the Ahwoonlah and Addah nations, their dependents, and allies, who are members of the same Protectorate, and whose interest it is to live together in peace and amity.

It is hereby agreed by the representatives of both people that there should be peace and friendship between the two nations henceforth and for ever.

The following Articles being fully discussed and understood, are agreed to:

ART. I. The River Volta shall be kept open for all lawful traders; and both parties to this Treaty shall use their best efforts to discourage any dishonest or unlawful interference with legitimate traders of whatever country or nation.

II. The Ahwoonlah and Addah nations undertake and promise to observe and enforce the foregoing Article as being absolutely necessary to the peace and prosperity of all the tribes and nations bordering on the Volta.

III. If any difference or dispute shall in the future arise between the Ahwoonlah and Addah nations, or between either of them and any other tribe or nation, it shall be submitted to the Governor-in-Chief, whose decision, after full hearing, shall be final and binding upon both parties.

IV. Other tribes or nations having been unhappily drawn into this war as friends and allies, the Ahwoonlah and Addah nations agree and solemnly promise that they will immediately call upon all such to lay down their arms and consolidate a peace which is honourable to all parties.

In proof of our truth and sincere desire for peace, we subscribe our names to this Treaty, a copy of which will be retained by each party.

Their

XXX

XXXX

LOZABAGBA, King of Ahwoonlah.

ABRAHAM AUGUSTT, on part of the King of

Ahwoonlah.

GARMOO, King's Messenger.

JORDOR, 2nd Officer, Jellah-Coffee.

ARBOJEE, Representative of Armayar.

THOUGH, Representative of Arvoonah.

POTEE, for Yarhoe-tar-nar-curoe.
THOUGH II, for Folee, Chief of Jell
ACALLEE, for Chief Jorcoetoe.

marks,

Witnessed:

Their

marks.

ADDAHS.

OCLUE, Chief of Addah.
KING TACKEE.

KING CUDJOE.

TAYEE, for Do8oo.

Icoo, for the King of Christiansborg.

JOHN H. GLOVER, Administrator of Lagos.

CHARLES WM. ANDREW, Commander H.M.S. Lee.

THOS. GEO. LAWSON, Government Interpreter, Sierra Leone.
W. ADDO, Government Interpreter, Accra.

AQUAMOOS, MARCH 3, 1869.

Their

marks.

QUAMIN ARKOTOE, King of Aquamoo.
CUDJOE DADBRAH, Captain of Aquamoo.
QUAMIN BARKAYE, Captain of Aquamoo.
ORFAYE QUASHIE, Captain of Aquamoo.
CUDJOE YAMPOO, Captain of Pesse.
COFFEE MENSAH, Captain of Arcradie.

The above signatures were affixed at Aquamoo on the 3rd day of March, 1869, in the presence of us,

W. H. SIMPSON, Acting Administrator, Gold Coast.
W. ADDO, Government Interpreter.

PET AZRE-ODUNNASI, late Schoolmaster.

(2.)-TREATY with Ahwoonlah, Accra, and Addah. (Peace. Volta River, &c.) Jellah-Coffee, May 10, 1871.

TREATY between the undersigned Kings, Chiefs, and Headmen of the Ahwoonlah, Accra, and Addah Nations or Tribes, and Sir A. E. Kennedy, C.B., Governor-in-Chief of the West Africa Settlements, &c., on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.

WE, the undersigned Kings, Chiefs, and duly accredited Delegates from Accra and Ahwoonlah, having this day met on board Her Majesty's colonial steamer Sherbro, at Jellah-Coffee, on the invitation of Sir A. E. Kennedy, C.B., Governor-inChief of the West Africa Settlements, hereby agree to and solemnly bind ourselves to the following terms and conditions, subject to the approval and ratification of the Kings and Chiefs of Accra and the Kings and Chiefs of Ahwoonlah:

I. That though peace at present exists between the Accra, the Addah, and the Ahwoonlah people, it is desirable for the

good and progress of each and all. that a lasting friendship should be established among people who are all under the protectorate of Great Britain.

II. That all parties to the Treaty of the Volta, agreed to and signed on board Her Majesty's colonial steamer Eyo, on the 30th day of November, 1868,* again pledge themselves to adhere to the terms and conditions of that Treaty.

III. With a view to securing a permanent peace and more enduring friendship, the Kings, Chiefs, and Delegates, parties to this Treaty, pledge themselves to assist each other to the utmost of their power in repelling any inroad or invasion of any part of the Protectorate by the Ashantee power; though nothing in this clause or Treaty shall be construed to mean or justify any opposition to legitimate and peaceful trade with Ashantee.

IV. That the Accra, Addah, and Ahwoonlah nations hold themselves jointly and separately responsible for the safe and free navigation of the River Volta, and pledge themselves to combine to oppose any nation or tribe who may disturb or obstruct legitimate commerce on the river.

V. That in addition to Clause III of the Treaty dated 30th November, 1868, binding all parties thereto to submit any differences which may arise between them to the arbitration of the Governor-in-Chief of the West Africa Settlements, it is hereby further agreed that all the parties to this Treaty pledge themselves to submit to, and pay, any fine which may, as the result of such arbitration, be imposed upon them for any breach of this or the former Treaty of 30th November, 1868.

VI. That all the parties to this Treaty hold themselves responsible for the safety of all legitimate traders and missionaries, whether European or native, within their respective territories; it being understood that no European or native trader shall contravene any law or custom which is not inconsistent with the letter or spirit of the laws of the Protectorate.

VII. It having been agreed upon as one of the primary conditions to peace that one Geraldo, a former servant to Lima, a Portuguese slave-dealer (for many years resident at Keta), should be given up to the Gold Coast Government, to be dealt with according to law, and this Geraldo having absconded from his residence to some inland town, the Ahwoonlahs hereby pledge themselves to inform the Gold Coast Government and give him up at any time he may return to the coast.

VIII. It is further agreed and demanded by the Ahwoonlahs in presence of the Accras parties to the Treaty, that the British authorities shall take steps to destroy the now deserted residence of Geraldo (being within the Ahwoonlah territory), to prevent his return thereto, as they attribute the wars and * See Page 2.