§ MR. ASHBURYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, considering the existing state of trade on the West Coast of Africa, and especially in those rivers known as the "Oil Rivers," it is contemplated to extend the treaties, and thus permit British traders to establish stations beyond the present Treaty limits, by which means they will obtain direct intercourse with the natives of the interior?
§ MR. BOURKE, in reply, said, the British Consul on the West Coast had general instructions to make Treaties with the Native Chiefs wherever he could see the possibility of extending British trade. In regard to the Brass River, it had been thought unadvisable to make Treaties with the Chiefs in the interior, as we already had Treaties with those at the mouth of the river, and any relations come to with those in the interior would be likely to disturb the friendly arrangements already existing.