MR. DICK-PEDDIEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the recent annexations to the Colony of Sierra Leone, of the entire coast line of the Gallinas and Ebemnah (or Sulymah) Countries, and of the Krim Coun- 76 try, extend to only half a mile from high-water mark, thereby leaving the interior still under the Government of native Independent chiefs; whether it is not the case that no imports or exports to or from the interior can pass through the strip of land annexed with-out payment of revenue to the Colony of Sierra Leone, which Colony discharges no duties and acknowledges no responsibilities within the Countries from whose trade the revenue is derived; and, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Papers and Correspondence relating to the said annexations, and the negotiations which led to them?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, the statements contained in the first paragraph of the Question are correct. It is quite true that the Colony acknowledges no responsibilities within the half-mile limit; but it is not true that it discharges no duties. It endeavours, by the payment of fixed stipends to the Native Chiefs, and by frequent friendly visits of its officers, to maintain peace and to encourage trade; and, as a rule, it succeeds in these objects. Besides, the devastating wars of the interior are checked by the control exercised on the importation of arms and ammunition. As to the Papers, it would be very difficult to lay them on the Table just now, because they were connected with other matters which were still under discussion.