§ MR. BUXTONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 895 Affairs, What the object was of the recent expedition from Gambia against a neighbouring Chief; whether the expedition was authorized by Her Majesty's Government; and, if not, whether it has their approval?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, the Chief referred to by the hon. Gentleman was the head of the most powerful Mahommedan tribe on the Gambia, and during the last two years had given great cause of complaint, having been in the habit of plundering both natives and Europeans very much at his pleasure. Six months ago an officer was sent by the Government of Gambia to the Court of this Chief for the purpose of obtaining redress for the sufferers. That gentleman was dismissed with marks of personal disrespect Thereupon the Governor proceeded, with the approbation of the Home Government, to blockade the port belonging to the Chief with the view of bringing him to terms; but that blockade, though persisted in for some months, did not produce the slightest effect. At last, in January, the force at Gambia was increased by the presence of a man-of-war, and by the arrival of West India reliefs, and advantage was taken of that circumstance to organize an expedition against the offending Chief. That expedition invaded his territory; it was conducted with great gallantry and success against an obstinate resistance; and, after a few day's warfare, it ended in bringing the Chief to terms and inducing him to sign a Treaty with the Government at Gambia, making some reparation for the robberies he had committed, and binding himself to keep the peace for the future. The instructions given to the Governors on African stations were, that they should not engage in any considerable expedition without the consent of the Home Government; but in the present case it appeared to the Government that the object in view was a proper one, that the expedition had been admirably carried out, that the circumstances which enabled the Governor to organize it might not have occurred again, and that all his proceedings in the matter were deserving of approbation.