The Secrets of an Aborted Decolonisation: The Declassified British Secret Files on the Southern Cameroons

Chapter 1. British Treaties with the Chiefs of Bimbia and Victoria

15 Chapter One British Treaties with the Chiefs of Bimbia and Victoria British Treaties with the King and Chiefs of Bimbia TREATY with King William and the Chiefs of Bimbia Signed at King William’s Town, February 17, 1844 LIEUTENANT EDWARD CHARLES EARLE, Commander of Her Britannic Majesty’s brig ‘Rapid’, on the part of Her Majesty the Queen of England, and the Chiefs of Bimbia and of the neighbourhood, on the part of themselves and of their country, have agreed upon the following Articles and conditions: ART. I. The export of slaves to foreign countries is forever abolished in the territories of the Chiefs of Bimbia; and the Chiefs of Bimbia engage to make and 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 Chiefs of Bimbia promise to inflict a severe punishment on any person who shall break this law. ART. II. No European, or other person whatever, shall be permitted to reside within the territories of the Chiefs of Bimbia, for the purpose of carrying on in any way the Traffic in Slaves; and no house, or stores, or buildings of any kind whatever, shall be erected for the purpose of Slave Trade within the territories of the Chiefs of Bimbia. ART. III. The Queen of Great Britain, to show her friendship for the Chiefs of Bimbia, and because they have made this Agreement, engages to give goods to the value of 1200 dollars. ART. IV. If at any time it shall appear that Slave Trade has been carried on through or from the territories of the Chiefs of Bimbia, the Slave Trade may be put down by Great Britain by force upon that territory, and British officers may seize the boats of Bimbia, found anywhere carrying on the Slave Trade; and the Chiefs of Bimbia will subject themselves to a severe act of displeasure on the part of the Queen of England. 16 The Secrets of an Aborted Decolonisation ART. V. The subjects of the Queen of England may always trade freely with the people of Bimbia in every article they may wish to buy and sell, in all the places and ports within the territories of the Chiefs of Bimbia, and throughout the whole of their dominions; and the Chiefs of Bimbia 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. Done at King William’s Town, Bimbia, this 17th day of February, 1844. E. EARLE, their Lieutenant, Commander of H.M. brig ‘Rapid’ WILLIAM X King of Bimbia Witness, PRINCE GEORGE, X W. MAITLAND DICK MERCHANT, X Assistant Surgeon, H.M. brig ‘Rapid’ DICKE MERCHANT, X JOHN BIMBIA, X OLD AMBIA, X Chiefs of Bimbia marks The Treaty above mentioned, entered into between Lieutenant Earle, R.N., of Her Majesty’s brig ‘Rapid’, on the part of Her Majesty the Queen of England, and King William of Bimbia, is hereby ratified and confirmed. At the King’s House, Bimbia, this 24th day of February, 1846. Signed in the presence of his JOHN BECROFT KING WILLIAM X J.B. KING ISAAC J. WARNER *** ENGAGEMENT of the King and Chiefs of Bimbia Signed at King William’s Town, March 31, 1848 KING WILLIAM, and the Chiefs of Bimbia, do solemnly promise to do away with the abominable, inhuman, and un-Christian like custom of sacrificing Human Lives on the death of any of their Chiefs, or on account of their superstitious practices. Dated at William’s Town, Bimbia, this 31st day of March, 1848. 17 Chapter One: British Treaties with the Chiefs of Bimbia and Victoria In the presence of: KING WILLIAM (his X mark) PRINCE WILLIAM (his X mark) QUAN (his X mark) NACCO (his X mark) DICK (his X mark) YOUNG AMBIE (his X mark) DICK MERCHANT (his X mark) DUKE MERCHANT (his X mark) JOHN BIMBIA (his X mark) THOS. RODNEY EDEN, Captain of H.M. Ship ‘Amphitrite’ GEORGE WALKER, Senior Lieutenant of H.M. ship ‘Amphitrite’ JOHN BEECROFT, Governor of Fernando Po JOSEPH MERRICK, Missionary at Bimbia HENRY ROSS SANDERS, Midshipman of H.M. ship ‘Amphitrite’ W.J. STRORUS, Clerk of H.M. ship ‘Amphitrite’ *** TREATY with the King and Chiefs of Bimbia. Nicholls Island, December 19, 1850 A...