HC Deb 28 March 1892 vol 3 cc24-5
MR. DALZIEL ( Kirkcaldy, &c.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that the Treaty recently signed at Lagos by Mr. S. T. Carter, on behalf of this country and certain Jebus, was invalid in consequence of its not having been executed with the authority of the King and head chiefs of the Jebu people after consultation at a national council duly summoned with the necessary formalities required by native custom; whether the Treaties said to be concluded by the Egbas are similarly defective; and whether, before sanctioning any offensive operations against these independent kingdoms, the Secretary of State would cause careful inquiry to be made as to the circumstances under which these informal documents are considered binding upon Jebuan and Egban subjects by the Lagos Government?

BARON H. DE WORMS

A deputation sent to Lagos by the King of Jebu for the purpose of expressing the wishes of his people stated that they represented the whole of the Jebu nation, and that they had full authority to treat with the Lagos Government. The two Lagos Jebus who witnessed the agreement attested that the messengers In the name of the Awujale and people of Jebu, and on their behalf, agreed to all the terms of the agreement, and undertook to carry them out, and declared that they were authorised to do so. The representatives further signified their acceptance of the terms by taking the country oath on kolas and water. The only Treaty with the Egbas is the one of 5th January, 1852. It was concluded by authorised persons, and there is no reason to suppose it is not valid.

MR. SUMMERS

Was this Treaty with the Jebus confirmed by the chiefs?

BARON H. DE WORMS

It was made by the King.

MR. SUMMERS

And subsequently repudiated.

BARON H. DE WORMS

There is no evidence of that.