AFRICA (BIGHT OF BENIN).

CONSULAR.

No. 8.-Consul Campbell to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Rec. Sept. 15.) MY LORD, Lagos, August 2, 1855. SHORTLY after assuming my duties as Her Majesty's Consul at this place, I was called upon to hear the complaints of various individuals, and to obtain them redress against the wrongs of which they complained.

Most of these complaints being cases of kidnapping and unjustly selling into slavery persons of free condition, and of seizing for debts not due by the parties seized, but by others belonging to the same town or country, I did not hesitate to use my utmost endea vours to obtain redress for the wrongs complained of, and, in many cases, the punishment of the aggressors.

The people finding that they could have access to me at all hours, from sunrise to sunset, my whole time was soon occupied in listening to complaints of wrong and oppression, and in obtaining justice for the injured complainants.

There having been, since I arrived at my post, a considerable immigration from Sierra Leone of the better class of Africans, men who had been residing for years in Freetown, and of that class who serve on juries in the law courts of Sierra Leone, civil and criminal, and who have become considerably advanced in civilization, and have attained correct notions of right and wrong, and these persons also bringing their matters of dispute to me for my mediation and interposition, I at length finding my time too much occupied with these matters, suggested to them the propriety of forming amongst themselves a sort of court or tribunal, to hear and determine dis putes and differences and matters of debt, to hold regular meetings, and to draw up a code of regulations for their guidance.

My suggestion after a time was followed up, and I was waited upon by several of the persons named as the Committee, with a copy of the regulations they had drawn up, and requested by them to make such alterations or additions as I thought necessary. I complied with their wishes, and gave my sanction to the regulations Nos. 1 to 12, by which they were to guide their proceedings.

A copy of these regulations I do myself the honour to transmit, trusting that your Lordship will view favourably this attempt to supersede the barbarous and unjust measures usually employed by the community at Lages to obtain, at best, but a wild justice, by the forms, customs, and equitable laws of a civilized people, and that I shall receive your Lordship's approval of having given my sanction to the Sierra Leone emigrants' code of regulations.

The sittings of the Committee are held weekly, on Saturdays, and the decisions given by them have hitherto been received with satisfaction. I have, &c.

The Earl of Clarendon.

(Inclosure.)-Regulations.

B. CAMPBELL.

Ar the meeting held this day, May 19th, 1855, present: Messrs. William Savage, James Gooding, Harry Pratt, J. M. Turner, J. C. Davis, J. T. Nottidge, Annie Euba, J. R. Thomas, John Thomas, John Davis, Thomas C. Cole, Thomas Davis, Thomas Gabbiden, Pedro, S. B. Williams, Samuel Williams, William Ray, were appointed a Committee.

Whereas it has pleased the Almighty God in raising good men in England in redeeming the many thousands of the Yoruba nation in the British colony called Sierra Leone, and enlightened them by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and whereas it pleased the Almighty God since the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, granted to all the nations above referred to return to their native country to enjoy their own country and kindred, the Committee of liberated Africans feel themselves indebted greatly to God for His providence in procuring such means as already vouchsafed unto them, also unto Her Majesty the Queen, in raising such men in her Kingdom, whose hearts are melting as it were every day for Africans, especially Yoruba in particular. The Committee also is greatly indebted to Her Majesty the Queen, in sending her officers among us, especially Benjamin Campbell, Esquire, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, a man who is worthy of his office and rank, also under His Majesty King Docemo, under whose government we are safe. We bless Heaven and take courage, and hope the time may soon come when our fathers will be visited with the same spirit which was in true Briton. The Committee being sensible of the good examples and rules with which they are taught in the colony of Sierra Leone, determine to abide with the Christian laws equally as that of Sierra Leone. The above Committee unanimously appointed Mr. William Savage as President, and Mr. James Gooding as Vice-President, whose duty it will be, aided by any number not less than three of the above Committee, to hear and determine all disputes and differences arising among the emigrants from Sierra Leone, and those from the Brazil and Cuba. They are also with the aid of some members of the Committee, not less than three, to arrange amicably, if possible, all disputes arising between any of the emigrants and the people of Lagos; in the event of their decision not giving satisfaction to the inhabitants of Lagos, the matter in dispute to be referred to the King for his final decision; but in all disputes among the emigrants themselves, in the event of the decision of the Presi

dent, Vice-President, and Committee not giving satisfaction, the matter is to be referred to the British Consul for his final desision. The following regulations have been unanimously agreed upon by the Committee:

1. Any resident emigrant who shall receive and give lodging to a newly arrived immigrant shall, within four days after his arrival, present such newly arrived emigrant to Mr. W. Savage, the President, who will give him advice and assist him to procure a permanent location.

2. No emigrant shall be allowed to scize the person of any inhabitant of Lagos or other country person for debt, without first obtaining the sanction of the King; but for any crime committed by any person of Lagos or the surrounding countries, he or they may be at once seized and taken before the King to be punished.

3. Any matters of debt arising between the emigrants themselves shall be heard and determined by the President, Vice-President, and at least three members of the Committee; and in the event of its being necessary to summon any debtor before the Committee, the following scale of fees shall be demanded and paid for such summons, viz.: in any matter of debt from one head to five heads of cowries, twelve strings shall be paid for the summons; above five heads, and not exceeding ten heads, twenty-five strings to be paid for the summons; above ten heads, one head of cowries to be paid for the

summons.

4. Any matter of debt between the emigrants and the country people, the same may be referred to the Committee for its decision, provided the country party agree to the same; otherwise the Committee will take the matter before the King for his decision. When any country person has agreed that his differences with the emigrants shall be decided by the Committee, and he does not abide by their decision, the King's interference must be sought to compel him to abide by the same; and, if necessary, to sell the property of the debtor for the payment of his debts. And in the event of such property not being able to pay the debt due by the debtor, and it can be proved that he has fraudulently or clandestinely removed or made away with his property, the King must be called upon to punish such person by imprisonment in the common jail.

5. All disputes arising among the emigrants themselves, from assault committed or insult given, the one to the other, shall be heard and determined by the President or Vice-President and the Committee, of whom at least three members must be present. Any party committing an assault, refusing to appear before the Committee, must be summoned; and in the event of he or she being proved to be in the wrong, must pay the sum of twenty-five strings for the summons, and the fine imposed by the Committee, Refusing

pay

to pay the same, the Committee, after the lapse of six days, shall seize and sell so much property of the party in the wrong as will for the summons and the fine. If the party in the wrong has no property, and he or she does not satisfy the party injured, the Committee can imprison him or her for any time not exceeding one month.

6. The Brazilian and Cuban emigrants are to be invited to join in these regulations, and some of the most respectable of them to become members of the Committee.

7. The President or, in the event of his absence or sickness, the Vice-President, with at least three of the Committee, are to hold a sitting weekly, on any convenient day that may be agreed upon, of which due notice must be given; and a general meeting of the Committee must be held every three months, to discuss matters affecting the interests of the emigrants in particular, and of the community of Lagos in general, and if necessary to make additional rules and regulations for their guidance and welfare.

8. It being necessary, for the general security of the emigrants and their property to keep up a night-patrol, the Committee will make arrangements for carrying this measure into effect; and those persons whom the Committee nominate to perform this duty must either comply with the regulations of the Committee on this point or find a substitute. In the event of refusal to do either, the Committee can either impose a fine on such person, or hire a substitute for him, making him pay for the same. In case of refusal to pay either the fine or for the substitute, the Committee will distrain and sell so much of the refusing party's property as shall pay either the fine or the expense for the substitute.

9. No emigrant is allowed to entice away the servants or labourers of another. The Committee are empowered to fine any person so offending, and, if necessary, to distrain on the offender's property for the payment of such fine.

10. No emigrant is on any account to join any cabal against the King, nor to attend any meetings, secret or open, which tend to disturb the peace of Lagos. If any emigrant is found guilty by the Committee of inciting or joining others to disturb the peace of (Lagos) the country, he shall be ordered either to return to Sierra Leone, or on refusal shall be transported with his family and property to Fernando Po.

11. In the event of the death of any emigrant having neither wife, children, nor any personal representatives, the President shall appoint a Committee of three persons to realize such deceased emigrant's property; and after payment of his just debts and funeral expenses, the balance shall remain two years in the hands of the President and Vice-President, during which time the Com

mittee must make every effort to discover if the deceased emigrant has any relatives in the interior; and if any should be discovered, and proved to the satisfaction of the President and Vice-President to be relatives of the deceased, such balance shall be paid to them.

12. All fines and penalties, and the remaining property of deceased emigrants having no personal representatives, shall be held by the President and Vice-President for the expense of erecting a suitable House of Detention, wherein to lodge such persons as may be committed for default or otherwise by the President and the Committee.

No. 12.-The. Earl of Clarendon to Consul Campbell.

SIR, Foreign Office, October 18, 1855. I HAVE received your despatch of the 2nd of August, and I have, in reply, to inform you that I approve of the steps which you have taken for the establishment at Lagos of a Court composed of immigrants from Sierra Leone, for the settlement of disputes and differences amongst their own countrymen, and that I also approve the regulations drawn up by that Court for their guidance, and to which you have given your sanction. I am, &c. B. Campbell, Esq.

CLARENDON.

AFRICA (BIGHT OF BIAFRA).

CONSULAR.

No. 45.-The Earl of Clarendon to Acting Consul Lynslager. (Extract.) Foreign Office, September 15, 1855. WITH reference to previous correspondence respecting the removal of Pepple from the Bonny river to Fernando Po, and subsequently to Ascension, I have to inform you that I have received several applications from him, in which he complains of being detained at the latter place against his will, and urges that he may be allowed to return to his own country. He also claims payment of 4,000 dollars, which he states to be due to him on account of two years' arrears of presents not yet paid by Her Majesty's Govern ment. By a despatch from Mr. Campbell, dated the 21st of July last, I learnt that a young negro named Harvey was on his way to this country, for the purpose of presenting certain letters from Pepple to the same effect. This person has lately arrived in London with the letters in question, and Her Majesty's Government have taken Pepple's petition into their consideration.

Upon a review of the whole circumstances of the case, it appears that Pepple voluntarily accompanied the late Mr. Beecroft to Fer