Skip to main content

Anglo-French Commission, and the Nupe Campaign, 1894-1897

 Item
Shelfmark: MSS. Afr. s. 101*, fols. 1-136
Held at the Weston Library

Request
this

Comprises:

(fols. 1-10) Copy of 'Administrative' report by district agent Walter Watts, Egga, to the Council of the Royal Niger Company, London, 10 Nov 1895, about:

  1. the French retreat from (Fort d'Arenberg) opposite Bajibo on 28 Sep, and Emir of Nupe's reaction to this
  2. the events surrounding the installation at Bida of the 'Sheaba Abu Bekari' as Emir of Nupe
  3. Watts's attendance, to secure payment of the late Emir 'Moliki' [Maliki]'s debts (relevant enclosure missing), and the difficulties raised to this by 'Prince Bello'
  4. discussions there with representatives of Emir of 'Gandu' about Dr Gruner's report of Gwandu's German sympathies
  5. enclosed (fol. 10) is a translation of the Company's Arabic letter on this to 'Omoru Baku-tara, Sultan' of Gwandu
  6. obvious confusion existing regarding separate European nationalities
  7. Bishop Herbert Tugwell's visit
  8. the local effect of missionaries, including late Rev. G. Wilmot Brooke
  9. Watts's proposal of a Company-built mosque at Lokoja 'to prove our impartiality... as a government'
  10. Rabeh [Zobeir]'s activities
  11. relationship of the 'N'daji' [Ndegi] with the Company and new the Emir
  12. comments on Abu Bokhari's character, and predicted difficulties
  13. the occupation of Lokoja and extension into hinterland
  14. report from Lokoja agent Hill of ill treatment of indigenous people by Constabulary officers
  15. 'Suli', new Emir of Illorin, cordial but unresponsive
  16. [each page of copy initialled by W.R.M. (Moore?), with emendations in his hand].

Further:

  1. (fols. 11-14) manuscript initialled draft letter from Lord Scarbrough to Sir George Goldie, on the Niger, to investigate the constabulary about relations with the Foreign Office over the Anglo-French commission meeting in Paris on delimitation of boundaries; British Commissioners convinced of the necessity of occupation of West Bank 'to prevent incursions in future'; approval of several Constabular appointments; Kirk's report to be presented to Parliament 'shortly', once [Sir Claude] MacDonald is 'out of earshot'; the 'fate of Govt. by Charter' in public opinion dependent upon the Jameson Raid trial; recalling Lander's experience, wonders how Bussa reacted to the recent eclipse of the moon, n.d. [3 Mar 1896]
  2. (fols. 15-20) six sheets of manuscript notes in Scarbrough's hand: mainly concerning geographical and political problems in the dispute between French and English Commissioners [for Foreign Office?]; also, notes on Royal Niger Constabulary applicants, Aron and Parker [see also fols. 48-55], n.d. [late Feb-Mar 1896]
  3. (fol. 21) sheet of manuscript notes in Scarbrough's hand, endorsed 'G[oldie] Memos', on aspects of recent Nupe Campaign, n.d. [spring 1897]
  4. (fols. 22-23) manuscript draft letter in Scarbrough's hand to Sir Clement Hill, Senior Clerk of Foreign Office African Department, asking whether to cable to deter Goldie from visiting 'Boussa', in view of 15 Jan Anglo-French Agreement to confer over boundaries [see fols. 26-28], n.d. [late Jan 1896]
  5. (fols. 24-25) manuscript draft letter in Scarbrough's hand asking for [Eric Barrington's?] help in obtaining Lord Salisbury's support over the application to War Office concerning Lieut. Arnold [see fols. 77-85, 91; also MSS. Afr. s. 88, fols. 44a-b], n.d. [mid-Jul 1896?]
  6. (fol. 26) letter from Frederick W. Brett to Scarbrough, in France, on the implications of the Anglo-French Agreement for Goldie's projected journey to Bussa, and action to be taken, 27 Jan 1896
  7. (fols. 27-28) letter from Alexander Miller to Scarbrough, advising a second letter to Hill, and suggesting a form of cable informing Goldie of the Agreement to set up the Boundary Commission, 1 Feb 1896
  8. (fol. 29) letter from James A. Croft [Brett's hand, Croft's signature] to Scarbrough on the lack of definite answer from Hill; the selection of the British Commissioners, Howard and Sir Augustus Hemming, 4 Feb 1896
  9. (fol. 30) letter from Miller [Brett's hand, Miller's signature] to Scarbrough, agreeing that the Foreign Office 'are not at all anxious to stop Sir George's visit to Borgu', 5 Feb 1896
  10. (fols. 31-33) letter from Henry Morley [Brett's hand, Morley's signature] to Scarbrough, enclosing copies of Hill's letter (fol. 32) asking for Lugard's maps and reports of visit to Nikki to be given to Captain Robb, War Office Intelligence Division; and Morley's temporising reply to Robb (fol. 33); all for Scarbrough's perusal and advice on the amount of information to be supplied. Scarbrough's initialled manuscript reply to Morley [but headed formally] drafted at the foot of fol. 32, concerning action over Lugard's confidential report, 7 Feb 1896
  11. (fol. 34) copy of letter from F.S. Robb to Morley asking for Scarbrough's permission for Col. Everett to use maps showing the limits covered by Company treaties (copy initialled by W.R.M. [Moore?] enclosed in fol. 40), 8 Feb 1896
  12. (fol. 35) manuscript draft in Scarbrough's hand of part of letter to Croft about the appointment of Commissioners; the value to British claims of leaving Goldie to establish posts on the West Bank; letter from Queen Victoria to the 'King' of Bussa 'on its way'. Half of the page bears notes on the Agreement, n.d. [7? Feb 1896]
  13. (fol. 36) letter from Miller to Scarbrough, noting cables despatched to him and received from West Africa [see fols. 38-39]; Miller approves Scarbrough's proposal to meet Hemming in Paris, while wishing that matters could be 'delayed'; his own reactions to Hemming's appointment, 10 Feb 1896
  14. (fol. 37) signed copy of letter from Morley to Robb about obtaining Scarbrough's permission for the Commission to use Company maps; Scarbrough's readiness to go to Paris [enclosed in fol. 40], 10 Feb 1896
  15. (fols. 38-39) letter from Croft to Scarbrough about the extent of Lugard's map up to Bussa; meetings of the Commission; cables from West Africa about the arrival of Goldie at Lagos and S.S. 'Croft' at Akassa; notes the importance of the Company letter to Sir Thomas Sanderson (Foreign Office) for meetings with the Commission, 10 Feb 1896
  16. (fol. 40) letter from Brett to Scarbrough with texts of cables despatched to him, and enclosing correspondence with Robb [fols. 34, 37], and copy of important Dec letter to Sanderson [missing], 10 Feb 1896
  17. (fols. 41-42) French telegram forms of the two London Office cables to Scarbrough mentioned [in fols. 36, 38-40]: asking for permission to hand over Company treaty maps; on the reverse is a manuscript draft of Scarbrough's cabled permission (fol. 41); the Foreign Office has been informed of Scarbrough's willingness to see Hemming (fol. 42), 10 Feb 1896
  18. (fol. 43) letter from Croft to Scarbrough, regretting the choice of Hemming, who 'has invariably given way on every West African Question. I only hope and trust he won't give us away!!'; and to enclose a Standard press cutting [missing] about the reaction from merchants in West Africa to the Company's 'suggested policy', 11 Feb 1896
  19. (fols. 44-46) letter from Morley to Scarbrough (fol. 46) enclosing signed copies of a letter to Robb (fol. 44), to accompany Lugard's map and Goldie's speech to Meeting, and annexed schedule of treaties (fol. 45; other enclosures missing), 11 Feb 1896
  20. (fol. 47) manuscript initialled draft letter from Scarbrough to Hill expressing the Council's willingness to assist the Commission, and drawing attention to Company activities in 'Borgu country', and a Company letter of Dec to Sanderson [about French treaties], 12 Feb 1896
  21. (fols. 48-55) two sets of similar notes in Scarbrough's hand: one batch, to 6 Mar, endorsed 'Daily Memos' (fols. 54-55), the other, to 28 Mar, 'R.N.C. Memos' (fols. 48-53, apparently written up later): both noting day-to-day matters and relevant correspondence handled in Goldie's absence concerning the appointment of constabulary officers; Customs Union; Kirk's report; information required by, and supplied to, the Commission: including Lugard's Borgu-area map, report, treaties, letters of introduction [see fols. 56-58], private diary and correspondence with Goldie; French objections to signature by 'X' raised, later dispersed by the discovery of similar marking on own treaties; the French attitude toward negotiations, 22 Feb-28 Mar 1896
  22. (fols. 56-58) copies of the translations of three Arabic letters of introduction provided for Lugard during his Borgu Expedition from 'Abdul Salami King of Nikie son of Woru Kura', for the 'King of Lesan' (fol. 56), from 'Abdul Salami Emir of Illorin', for the Kings of 'Kishie', 'Kaioma' and 'Nikie' (fol. 57); from 'the King of Kiama Ke ta sodé by name' for 'the King of Borgu', also referred to as 'King of Nikki' (fol. 58): all stress Lugard's peaceful intentions, and trading objectives - the last two mentioning his plan to proceed westward to 'Kwampani[s]sa' or 'Kampaninsa'. The first and third copies are initialled by W.R.M. [Moore?] [all enclosed in fol. 66], n.d. [Oct-Nov 1894]
  23. (fol. 59) manuscript draft in Scarbrough's hand of letter to Hill, to accompany extracts from Wallace's 1894 Sokoto Expedition diary, and Company letter to Sanderson; concerning the limits of Borgu and evidence about Gomba's allegiance to Gwandu, 26 Feb 1896
  24. (fol. 60) telegram from Brett to Scarbrough about letting Commissioners study original Gwandu treaties [manuscript footnote of assent, initialled by Scarbrough], 2 Mar 1896
  25. (fols. 61-62) two letters from Brett to Scarbrough about receiving Scarbrough's cabled permission to lend original treaties, and a cable [from Goldie], en route for Bussa, having secured 'Territory to Jebba', and giving the date due at Sierra Leone (fol. 61); about Foreign Office requests for documents throwing light on T.F Joseph's attestation of treaties (fol. 62; omitting three enclosures), 2 and 3 Mar 1896
  26. (fol. 63) manuscript note in Scarbrough's hand on the French dispute over inaccuracies in Lugard's Nikki treaty, noted by M. Victor Ballot, Governor of Dahomey (Benin), n.d. [Mar 1896]
  27. (fols. 64-66) three letters from Brett to Scarbrough: the first two mainly concerning despatching to the latter Lugard's Borgu Expedition papers, especially diary; French objections to signature by cross cease; British Commissioners 'very well satisfied' with Conference (fols. 64-65); the third to enclose fols. 56-58, original of translations of which are required by the Foreign Office; Brett concludes 'Abdul Salami' to be one of King of Nikki's titles; Guy Mottram to be contacted over points at issue; E.J. Ravenstein, of Royal Geographical Society, asked by Col. Everett to check the position of Kishi on Lugard's maps; cable received from Goldie of the arrival at Bussa and intended date of return (fol. 66), 5-9 Mar 1896
  28. (fols. 67-68) manuscript draft letter from Scarbrough to Col. William Everett, War Office Intelligence Division, about the value of Mottram's evidence to Conference; reasons for faith in Lugard's 'wonderfully accurate' reckoning, though the Company is indifferent to the location of Kishi; Scarbrough's willingness to attend a Conference, and offers of information from Lugard's 'very voluminous' private diary, though the actual document must be retained; original of King of Kiama's published letter to be sent for reference; cable received from Goldie 'from Boussa', 11 Mar 1896
  29. (fol. 69) letter from Brett to Scarbrough to enclose published news from Goldie to Reuters emphasising Bussa's position as overlord of Borgu [missing]; Everett's forthcoming visit to London cancels Mottram's journey to Paris, 11 Mar 1896
  30. (fols. 70-73) correspondence between Everett, in Paris and London, and Scarbrough (fol. 71, manuscript initialled draft) about accepting Mottram's 'observations' against Lugard's dead reckoning 'for position of Kishi'; French and Company claims over Yola; proofs as to extent of Bussa from Goldie and [Will Lister]; doubts about T.F. Joseph's attestation to copies of Lugard's Nikki treaty, and the possibility that Company agent T.A. Reynolds' documents and the chiefs' letters of introduction may clarify matters: 'the French will take nothing for granted', 12-23 Mar 1896
  31. (fols. 74-75) two letters from Brett to Scarbrough: (1) about the absence of Expedition documentation from Reynolds; the despatch of Lugard's letters of introduction; the origin of agent W. Lister's comment on Bussa; cable from Goldie about his return (fol. 74); and (2) Mottram's Paris expenses to be paid by the Company; Everett's visit in connection with Nikki treaty (fol. 75), 30-31 Mar 1896
  32. (fol. 76) letter from Everett, Paris, to Scarbrough, acknowledging Scarbrough's enclosure of a circular on French slave raiding; and coming to England to see Goldie, 2 Apr 1896
  33. (fols. 77-85) manuscript notes in Scarbrough's hand (fol. 77); personal letters from Sir Evelyn Wood, War Office (fol. 78), and Eric Barrington, Foreign Office (fols. 83-84), to Scarbrough; and copies of formal requests from Company Secretary, Henry Morley, to the Military Secretary, War Office (fols. 79-82), and to Sir Thomas Sanderson, Foreign Office (fol. 85); all concerned with the Company's application for promotion to the rank of captain for Lieut A.J. Arnold on secondment from 3rd King's Own Hussars to the Company Forces. Barrington's postscript comments on death of Sir Percy Anderson, 'who was irreplaceable', n.d. [Jun 1896?], 25 Jun-22 Jul 1896
  34. (fols. 86-87) manuscript 'R.N.C. Memo' in Scarbrough's hand about the one-million-pound Niger Government Loan Stock being 'for money out of pocket... in obtaining rights for Gt. Britain'; note made in preparation for 'any settlement in future between Co. & government', 8 Oct 1896
  35. (fols. 88-90) copy of 'Urgent' letter from Morley to Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs concerning the need to recruit young European officers for the approaching 'very critical campaign'; copy of the 'special service' terms annexed, 14 Oct 1896
  36. (fol. 91) copy of letter from Morley to Under-Secretary, War Office, acknowledging permission to employ Arnold and give him local rank as captain: but, since officers of higher rank have subsequently applied to serve under him, asking that the rank be that of Brevet-Major, 4 Nov 1896
  37. (fols. 92-94) correspondence between Scarbrough (fols. 92-93, incomplete manuscript draft) and Flora L. Shaw, The Times' Colonial Affairs editor, about the former continuing Goldie's briefing by supplying Miss Shaw with his notes on Bida and those of late Rev. Wilmot Brooke; also comments on wording of Times' articles, 28-29 Dec 1896
  38. (fols. 95-96) two telegrams from the London Office to Scarbrough, embodying cables from: (1) Goldie [code name: 'Tabards'] announcing the date of departure [from Lokoja] for Kabba (fol. 95); and (2) Wallace, via Reuters, about 'rumours of renewed invasion from Niger Coast Protectorate which cannot control Brass tribe unless British Government send gunboats...'; some Hausa Company troops retained in Delta because of this threat (fol. 96), n.d. [early Jan 1897], 12 Jan 1897
  39. (fol. 97) unsigned draft of telegram in Scarbrough's hand to Bretty about communicating Reuters' urgent cable to Foreign Office, n.d. [12 Jan 1897]
  40. (fol. 98) map of the Niger Campaign, with notes in Brett's hand, n.d.
  41. (fol. 99) letter from Flora Shaw to Scarbrough, asking if she may now publish Goldie's 1 Jan Order of the Day for officers at Lokoja, despite original confidentiality: 'there could only be advantage in letting the public know the tenour [sic] of the instructions given' [see MSS. Afr. s. 88, fols. 44e-h]; trusts The Times' suggestion of name 'Nigeria' is acceptable; will return his useful diary 'when this crisis has passed', n.d. 12 Jan [1897]
  42. (fols. 100-109) correspondence between Scarbrough (four manuscript initialled drafts) and Hill (fols. 104-105, 108-109) about deferring the announcement to the French of the campaign's objective until Goldie's departure from Lokoja (fol. 100); and the dangerous implications of renewed activity among people from Brass, coinciding with trouble in Benin, requiring provision for armed government assistance 'from outside attacks by tribes under the control of the Protectorate' (quotation from fol. 107, a copy of official letter on behalf of Council to Under-S/S F.O.), 12-21 Jan 1897
  43. (fol. 110) unascribed cable drafted on telegram form in Scarbrough's hand advising [Agent General Flint] of arrival of government troops to safeguard Delta stations, and asking if these will release constabulary as potential reinforcements for Goldie, n.d. [21 Jan 1897]
  44. (fols. 111-112) manuscript initialled copy of letter from Scarbrough to Agent General Flint about the negotiations with the government, resulting in the despatch of West Indian troops from Sierra Leone; with advice about the provision of quarters and supplies for them, 22 Jan 1897
  45. (fol. 113) letter from Hill to Scarbrough about arrivals of HMS 'Philomel' and the West Indian troops at Brass, 23 Jan 1897
  46. (fol. 114) unascribed manuscript draft in Scarbrough's hand [for Morley?] of official Company letter to Foreign Office enquiring about government precautions against attacks on Delta stations and responsibility for troop transport and maintenance costs, 25 Jan 1897
  47. (fol. 115) manuscript unsigned note in Scarbrough's hand on the reasons for the despatch of government forces, n.d. [Jan 1897]
  48. (fol. 116) manuscript initialled draft of letter from Scarbrough to a Captain Lumley, with advice on employment in West Africa, 28 Jan 1897
  49. (fol. 117) letter from Flora Shaw, 'Printing House Square, 1.30 a.m.', congratulating Scarbrough on the success of the 'admirably managed as well as... gallantly conducted expedition', 11 Feb 1897
  50. (fol. 118) letter from Hill to Scarbrough with Salisbury's permission to publish his congratulatory telegram to Goldie, 17 Feb 1897
  51. (fol. 119) letter from Flora Shaw to Scarbrough, thanking him for news of Goldie's movements, hoping the latter 'won't be taken unawares... and repeat Benin experience in form', 18 Feb 1897
  52. (fol. 120) letter from C.I. Beckett, of the King's Own Hussars, to Scarbrough about Major Arnold's 'good service' in the campaign, 18 Feb 1897
  53. (fol. 121) letter from J.S. Keltie, of the Royal Geographical Society, to Scarbrough about the possibility of [Lieutenant Seymour] Vandeleur presenting a paper to the Royal Geographic Society [on the campaign], 18 Feb 1897
  54. (fol. 122) letter from J. Carden to Scarbrough to enclose two Company cables [missing]; queries meaning of one, 27 Feb 1897
  55. (fol. 123) 'Private' letter from Hill to Scarbrough about the futility to Salisbury of 'asking the French where their expedition is going. They know our views as to Boussa', 27 Feb 1897
  56. (fols. 124-125) two telegrams from the London Office to Scarbrough from Carden, answering the query of fol. 122 (fol. 124), and requesting that Scarbrough inform Salisbury about Ilorin (fol. 125), n.d. [28 Feb 1897?]; 1 Mar 1897
  57. (fol. 126) manuscript draft in Scarbrough's hand of unsigned official Company letter [for Morley?], bearing his note: 'Proposed letter to F.O. - not sent in'. In it, the Company rebuts the Foreign Office contention that the Company is liable for expenses of government troops employed in the Company's Delta territories, n.d. [Mar 1897]
  58. (fol. 127) manuscript draft in Scarbrough's hand of unsigned official Company letter [for Morley?] to the Foreign Office, conveying Goldie's cabled thanks to Salisbury for his congratulatory cable; Goldie offers the Company troops to assist at Benin, n.d. [Mar 1897]
  59. (fols. 128-130) manuscript drafts in Scarbrough's hand: two unsigned official Company letters [for Morley?] to the Foreign Office, and one initialled from himself to Hill: all concerning the cabled news, first through The Times' special correspondent and then confirmed by Goldie, of the French occupation of Bussa. Attention is drawn to Goldie's abstention from entering disputed territory, and demands made for immediate French withdrawal, 2-9 Mar 1897
  60. (fol. 131) letter from Hill to Scarbrough about Salisbury's reaction to the French presence in Bussa: 'It's 'like their cheek'!'; Hill puzzled by Goldie's abstention, 19 Mar 1897
  61. (fols. 132-136) letter from Brett to Scarbrough (fol. 135) enclosing Memorandum from the War Office (fol. 132) and letter from Lieut. G.T. Young (fols. 133-134): all concerning arrangements for Young's secondment to Company forces; also, confirmatory copy of Company telegram embodying cable from Goldie about being delayed in Lisbon and due in Paris (fol. 136), 31 Mar 1897.

Dates

  • Creation: 1894-1897

Extent

136 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MSS. Afr. s. 101*, fols. 1-136

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom

Physical Storage Information for Staff

Powered by ArchivesSpace | v4.1.1 | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms of use | New additions | Contact us