stopped, it is all falsehood; I disallow only the Lagotians to buy oil in my country, but not the English or British merchants. Sir, I have also to inform you that I made no distinction of the British merchants and traders in enjoying the same privilege with the Portuguese merchants, so far as the country affords them. Sir, I am a real friend to the English, for which reason I advised them to stay at Badagry; meantime I will send them sufficient oil. Sir, the reason why I disallow the English merchants and traders to build factories in my country is because I believe how friendly soever two may be, if they reside in one house, they will surely quarrel sometimes, and I wish not in any way to offend the British nation as they are my intimate friend; with regard to the Portuguese who reside with me, I could at any time turn any out as soon as they offend me, but I would never do so to the English. Sir, it would be very proper indeed that King Docemo write to me as you have done, as I disallow his people, but not yours; they are at liberty to come with their goods and buy their oil and go away. In conclusion, Sir, I have to inform you that I have assembled all the Portuguese merchants and traders, together with an innumerable of my people and strictly inquire of them whether they have any oil belonging to any British merchants or traders; they all said No! Sir, I would beg of you to allow the merchants or traders (whose oil I have stopped) to come or either send person to receive his oil, as I will not be responsible for the same. I have only stopped the Lagotians from carrying any oil down, but not the English. I would also beg of you, Sir, not to listen to any person so as to cause confusion between I and you. My sincere love and respect to you, and wishing you long life, peace, and prosperity. (Signed) Inclosure 4 in No. 1. BENJ. W. PRATT. Sir, Commander Wratislaw to Consul Foote. "Ranger," off Lagos, February 17, 1861. IN answer to your letter with reference to what force I could detach in addition to the crew of Her Majesty's ship "Brune" to carry out your views with respect to Porto Novo, supposing that other means had failed to cause the Chiefs of that place to reopen their trade, I have the honour to inform you that my complement of white men, including officers, &c., is only sixty men. I would therefore be able to send an officer with fifteen men. As to the co-operation, being unacquainted with the place, I should be glad to have your opinion how best I could assist you, and whether you consider the force mentioned sufficient for the purpose. I have, &c. (Signed) H. WRATISLAW. Inclosure 5 in No. 1. Consul Foote to the King of Porto Novo. tr Brune," off Porto Novo, February 24, 1861. THE British Consul presents his respects to the King of Porto Novo. The Consul received the King of Porto Novo's answer to his despatch. The Consul has seen with regret that the King is determined to oppose the English, and to refuse them the privilege of trading or erecting factories at Porto Novo, while well-known slave-dealers are permitted to reside there, and this notwithstanding the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo solemnly agreed, in their Treaty with the English of January 17, 1852, Article IV, to permit the English to carry on trade freely in every part of the territories of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, to have houses and factories therein; and they also pledged themselves to show no favour to the ships or traders of other countries, which they did not show to the subjects of Her Majesty the Queen of England. The King and Chiefs also pledged themselves solemnly to abolish the export of slaves to foreign countries for ever, to prohibit any of their subjects, or any person within their jurisdiction, from selling or assisting in the sale of any slave for transportation to a foreign country. The King and Chiefs not only pledged themselves to observe the foregoing, but several other Articles, and in all cases they have broken them. They not only have done all in their power to injure English trade, but they have actually seized palm-oil belonging to British subjects. They have openly encouraged the export of slaves by permitting well-known slave-dealers to reside within the city of Porto Novo, for the purpose of receiving slaves sent by the King of Dahomey for export, and they have refused British merchants permission to make factories, or establish there, merely because the King and Chiefs, and their Brazilian friends, fear that their Traffic in Slaves might become known, and that information might be sent to Her Majesty's cruizers as to their movements. The repeated injuries caused to English trade, and the determined opposition offered by the King and Chiefs to the English, their open encouragement of the Slave Traffic, and the fact that Porto Novo is the principal slave depôt on the coast, render it imperative on Her Majesty's Government to act with vigour in chastising the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo. The Consul, therefore, as the Representative of Her Majesty the Queen of England, makes the following demand, viz. :— That before 12 A.M. to-morrow, the King must repair on board Her Majesty's ship "Brune." That he must be prepared to pay any losses or damage which may have been occasioned through the seizure of British property. That a guarantee shall be given for the better observance in future of the Treaty stipulations, and that the King will sign another agreement more comprehensive in its details than the former one. The Consul gives the King the time specified to repair on board the "Brune," and at the same time declares that if the King does not comply with his request, he will imme diately understand that the King still defies British authority, and intends to treat him as he treated former Consuls by sending excuses, making great promises, and then laughing with the Brazilians at the tricks he has placed upon the English. The Consul will therefore, at the time appointed, order the Commander of the " Brune" to fire upon the town of Porto Novo. He therefore now notifies this his intention to the King, in order that due notice may be given to the inhabitants, whether natives or foreigners, to remove their families and property from the town, so that innocent people might not suffer from the bombard ment. (Signed) HENRY GRANT FOOTE. Inclosure 6 in No. 1. Additional Articles to the Treaty with the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, signed January 17, 1852. [See Inclosure 2 in No. 3.] No. 2. My Lord, Consul Foote to Lord J. Russell.-(Received June 12.) Lagos, May 9, 1861. FINDING that the King of Dahomey had so far influenced the King of Porto Novo as to induce him to refuse all satisfaction for the injuries done to our traders, and the nonfulfilment of his Treaty stipulations with us, and that the latter had even constructed a barrier across the river, and stationed war canoes and troops along the banks, for the purpose of attacking the "Brune," in the event of my paying another visit to Porto Novo, I sent a despatch, of which the inclosure is a copy, to Commodore Edmonstone, together with the copies of my correspondence with the King of Porto Novo, and other documents referring to the subject. The Commodore having previously received information of the King of Porto Novo's proceedings from one of the cruizers, immediately ordered the gun-boats to rendezvous at Lagos, so that in a day or two after his arrival he had assembled a very respectable force, and made the necessary preparations, so that upon my return from Abbeokuta, I had merely to forward my request for a force, and the steamers and boats entered the harbour. We steamed up Badagry Creek from Lagos on the 23rd, the Commodore, myself, and a portion of our force, in the hired steamer "Fidelity," and the "Brune" and the Bloodhound" following us. Unfortunately the "Brune" and the "Bloodhound" both grounded, but on the 25th the "Brune" got off, and steamed up with us. The "Bloodhound" could not be got off, so we left her. At about 4 P.M. we came in sight of the barrier, which had been run across to prevent our ascending the river. It was composed of stakes driven into the river, well tied under water with ropes, and the interstices filled with a very tenacious and strong grass which grows in abundance along the river bank. Behind the barrier we saw several war-canoes, but upon the approach of the steamers they vanished up the river. On getting close to the barrier we were fired upon from the left bank, but the bullets fell short. The boats which were towing astern pulled in to the barrier to examine it. Near the centre they found the weakest spot, and after a little trouble, they pulled up the heaviest and most formidable of the stakes. The Commodore himself went in a boat, and came to the conclusion that we could force the " Fidelity" through. We steamed on full power, and succeeded, and the "Brune" followed. It being now dark, we anchored for the night. On the 26th, at 5:30 A.M., we got underweigh, and stood up for Porto Novo, and at about 6.30 we came in sight of the houses. We steamed quietly along until we came abreast of the first houses, when a heavy fire opened upon us from the grass and low scrub upon the banks. We steamed on, however, keeping in close line until we got into the position previously arranged, viz., the "Fidelity" and a portion of the boats in front of the King's Palace, and the "Brune" and her division near the centre of the town. We anchored, and commenced firing rockets, grape and canister, and shell. The shore seemed one mass of fire and smoke from the number of the enemy who opened upon us, but soon their fire slackened, and the rockets began to tell with fearful effect upon the town. Each rocket set a line of houses on fire. Our marines and small-arm men did great execution also. The ball from the Enfield rifle reached a long way beyond the grass banks, whilst the musket-balls of the enemy fell short. A few bullets certainly passed over us, but they were easily known as Miniés. In less than an hour the town was in a blaze: the King's Palace was one mass of flame; in fact, nearly every house was burning or in ruins. The enemy, however, still kept their ground in the grass. It was therefore deemed advisable to dislodge them with the boats. Accordingly Commander Raby headed the boats, and dashed in to the bank almost into the midst of the enemy, the boats discharging grape, canister, and case-shot into them at a few yards distance. The enemy were now mowed down in dozens, and a general retreat commenced. The marines and seamen landed, and found the place abandoned; none but the dead were to be seen. It is impossible to ascertain the exact loss sustained by the enemy, but I believe it must have been some 500 killed. Our loss amounted to only one killed, and some five or six slightly wounded. The expedition was most judiciously arranged. The plans were arranged before starting-the nature of the ground, position of the enemy, and their mode of warfare fully explained. The Commodore has thus managed, by a most judicious arrangement of his force, to defeat an enemy numbering nearly 10,000, all well armed, with scarcely any loss to ourselves. I cannot help drawing a comparison between the attack upon Lagos, and that upon Porto Novo. At the former we had a frightful list of killed and wounded, against an enemy numbering less than 3,000, whereas here, by restraining the impetuosity of his officers, and well thinning the ranks of the enemy before trusting his men on shore, the Commodore has not only saved the lives of several men, but struck a greater amount of terror into the minds of the enemy. If they could have killed but a dozen white men, they would have rejoiced. The Commodore will no doubt detail the services of such individual officers as may have distinguished themselves, but I claim your Lordship's permission to mention the name of Lieutenant Cay, of Her Majesty's ship "Arrogant." He commanded on board the "Fidelity," so that I had an opportunity of personally witnessing his energy, determination, and good judgment. Having completely destroyed the town, and all the slave-barracoons in the place having caught fire, and the enemy having disappeared altogether, the Commodore ordered C the vessels to weigh. We arrived at Lagos on the 28th, the officers and men in good health and spirits, and, I believe, not a case of fever. Seldom or ever has an expedition left for service on the inland waters of the African coast, and returned so successfully in every way. The result of the expedition has already reached the interior; salutes have been fired at Abbeokuta, and I have received congratulations from the King of Ijebu; whilst the non-friendly Chiefs, amongst the rest Kosoko, have sent letters and messengers offering their friendship and their alliance. The King of Dahomey has even been moved by the destruction of his principal slavedepôt. He is beginning to realize the danger of his position, but I am told he has threatened to destroy every Frenchman or Englishman he can get hold of. He is certainly a perfect monster, and his acts of cruelty are multiplying daily; he laughs at the attempts of the philanthropic people of England to convert him, and has been heard by Englishmen and others to declare that he wished he had the English Chiefs who send the war-ships to catch the slaves at Abomey; that he would shave their heads, and make them carry his hammock. Even the slave-dealers themselves are not safe from his tyranny. One of their number was conveyed to Abomey the other day rolled up like a cigar. Such was the description given me by an eye-witness. I have, &c. (Signed) HENRY GRANT FOOTE. Sir, Inclosure in No. 2. Consul Foote to Commodore Edmonstone. Lagos, April 22, 1861. I HAD the honour to forward to you all the particulars connected with the dispute which has arisen between us and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, as well as copies of the recent letters received from the Acting Vice-Consul at Badagry, by which you will perceive that the King and Chiefs were prepared at one time to accede to our terms, but that through the intervention of the King of Dahomey, they were induced to withhold their consent, and have actually made preparations to resist any attack from us. I have, therefore, to request that you will assist me in bringing them to terms, and that you will detach such a force as you may deem sufficient to proceed up Badagry river for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction for these repeated injuries and insults, it being impossible to obtain anything by negotiation. I am, &c. My Lord, No. 3. Acting Consul Mc Coskry to Lord J. Russell.—(Received July 1.) Lagos, May 27, 1861. I HAVE the honour to inclose the Treaty signed by the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo on the 16th instant. The King of Porto Novo not having returned to Porto Novo since the bombardment on account of his house being at present uninhabitable, the Acting Vice-Consul could not obtain any literate witnesses to witness the signature. Since the signature of the Treaty trade has been much improved, and palm oil in considerable quantities is daily arriving at Badagry from Porto Novo. (Signed) I have, &c. W. Mc COSKRY. Inclosure 1 in No. 3. Treaty with the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, signed January 17, 1852. COMMODORE HENRY WILLIAM BRUCE, Commander-in-chief of Her Majesty's ships and vessels on the West Coast of Africa, John Beecroft, Esquire, Her Majesty's Consul in the Bights of Benin and Biafra, and Arthur Parry Eardley Wilmot, Esquire, Commander of Her Majesty's ship "Harlequin," and Senior Officer present, on the part of Her Majesty the Queen of England; and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo and of the neighbourhood, on the part of themselves and of their country;-have agreed upon the following conditions: ARTICLE I. The export of slaves to foreign countries is for ever abolished in the territories of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo engage to make and to proclaim a law prohibiting any of their subjects, or any person within their jurisdiction, from selling or assisting in the sale of any slave for transportation to a foreign country, and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo promise to inflict a severe punishment on any person who shall break this law. ARTICLE II. No European or other person whatever shall be permitted to reside within the territory of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo for the purpose of carrying on in any way the Traffic in Slaves, and no houses, or stores, or buildings of any kind whatever, shall be erected for the purpose of Slave Trade within the territory of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo; and if any such houses, stores, or buildings shall at any future time be erected, and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo shall fail or be unable to destroy them, they may be destroyed by any British officers employed for the suppression of Slave Trade. ARTICLE III. If at any time it shall appear that Slave Trade has been carried on through or from the territory of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, the Slave Trade may be put down by Great Britain by force upon that territory, and British officers may seize the boats of Porto Novo found anywhere carrying on the Slave Trade, and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo will be subject to a severe act of displeasure on the part of the Queen of England. ARTICLE IV. The slaves now held for exportation shall be delivered up to any British officer duly authorised to receive them, for the purpose of being carried to a British Colony and there liberated, and all the implements of Slave Trade, and the barracoons or buildings exclusively used in the Slave Trade, shall be forthwith destroyed. ARTICLE V. Europeans or other persons now engaged in the Slave Trade are to be expelled the country; the houses, stores, or buildings hitherto employed as slave-factories, if not converted to lawful purposes within three months of the conclusion of this engagement, are to be destroyed. ARTICLE VI. The subjects of the Queen of England may always trade freely with the people of Porto Novo in every article they may wish to buy and sell in all the places, and ports, and rivers, within the territories of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo, and throughout the whole of their dominions; and the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo pledge themselves to show no favour and give no privilege to the ships and traders of other countries which they do not show to those of England. ARTICLE VII. The King and Chiefs of Porto Novo declare that no human beings shall at any time be sacrificed within their territories on account of religious or other ceremonies, and that they will prevent the barbarous practice of murdering prisoners captured in war. ARTICLE VIII. Complete protection shall be afforded to missionaries or ministers of the Gospel, of whatever nation or country, following their vocation of spreading the knowledge and doctrines of Christianity, and extending the benefits of civilization within the territory of the King and Chiefs of Porto Novo. Encouragement shall be given to such missionaries or ministers in the pursuits of |