The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-04 00:00:00

Mr. Craft's Visit to the King of Dahomey.

The only section of the British Association
which possessed any very special interest
yesterday was that which has been through-
out the most popular—the section devoted to the
discussion of geographical and enthological ques-
tions. Yesterday it was unusually crowded to hear
Mr. Craft give an account of his recent visit to the
King of Dahomey. Mr. Craft commenced by re-
peating what he stated in the section the other
day,—
" That both his grand-parents were Africans of pure
descent, that they were kidnapped and sent to America,
that he was born there and had lived there as a slave. He
was now fortunately out of America. Ho had been in Eng-
land some 12 or 14 years, and confessed—though he did not
wish to insult any American lady or gentleman who might
be present—that he did not like America, and, of course
all negroes had reason for sharing that feeling of repug-
nance. He now considered himself an Englishman of
African parentage, unfortunately born in America. The
subject for consideration was Dahomey. There was a great
deal of difference with regard to the people of that country.
Some extraordinary accounts had been printed of what took
place there, and those accounts had induced him to go there
and to ascertain whether those accounts were true or false,
and whether anything could be done to change the bad
habits of the people in that part of the world. His friends
were much opposed to his going, and said that the King of
Dahomey would be sure to cut his head off as soon as he
laid hands on him. He felt, however, that it was his duty
to go, and at length a committee was formed for the
purpose of buying presents and making his mission as suc-
cessful as possible. At that period the Government had
given up Dahomey as a bad job, and felt they could do
nothing in the matter; and Mr. Layard, the Under-Sec-
retary of State for Foreign Affairs, after informing him of
the opinion held by the Government, and saying that he
should be glad to see him on his return, told him ho
candidly thought he never would get back again alive.
He gave him, however, a letter of introduction to the Go-
vernor of Lagos, requesting the Governor to give him every
assistance and protection in his power. He sailed from
Liverpool to Lagos about nine months ago, and went to
Dahomey through the lagoons in canoes. They day after
they reached the town where the King was staying, mes-
sengers came saying that his Majesty was ready to receive
his visitors. Here he might observe that, in thus giving a
truthful account of what he saw and heard, he must not be
understood as apologising in any way for the barbarous cue •
toms of the place. lie wished simply to state the truth.
The Sing also sent a rosewood liquor case, furnished with
cut-glass bottles, containing different kinds of spirits. This
was for the purpose of enabling the great men to drink to
the health of Mr. Craft in the name of the King. He then
got into a hammock, and proceeded to the palace. On his
way he saw in the market-place 12 platforms, 40 feet high,
150 ft. apart, and perhaps 10ft. or 12ft. square. On. each side
of the platform was a man in an upright position, and quite
dead. These persons had all been executed the night before.
They were clad in accordance with the fashions of the
country, and in their hands or otherwise attached to their
persons were calabaches filled with native produce, and a
cord, to which were fastened two or three sheep. The
meaning of all this was that one Dahomey tribe held an
anniversary in honour of their victory over a neighbouring
tribe. When he came to the other side of the palace, he
found thousands of natives assembled. As they passed
through the crowd of natives saluted them, and when
they came into the palace yard they found thousands of
the principal people of the country. The chiefs stood
on the right hand of the King, while on his left there
were 2,000 or 3,000 Amazons, attired in their gayest
costume. The King himself sat under a largo test, and
was surrounded by his wives and a lew officers of the
Amazon regiment. When they approached the King they
bowed to him, and he returned the salutations. He was
was seated on a raised platform about 10ft, square, covered
with handsome cloth. He immediately rose and shook Mr.
Craft and his companions heartily by the hand, saying that
he was glad to see him, and thanking him for taking the
trouble to pay him a visit. He also inquired very kindly
atter his health, and after the health of her Majesty the
Queen and of the members of the British Government, to
all which Mr. Craft replied that he believed they were very
well. He then inquired whether the Queen had sent him to
Dahomey, to which Mr. Craft answered ' No,' but that he
came at the request of a number of English friends of the
King's, who desired to promote civilisation in Africa, and
to encourage a legitimate trade between the people of Eng-
land and Dahomey. He also told him that, though they
did not cone direct:y from the British Government, ha
knew they had the good wishes of the G ,vernment, who
would be very glad if something could be done in the way he
heel proposed. The King seemed at once to understand the
matter, and said it was all right; and he proposed succes-
sively the healths of the gentlemen who had sent Mr.
Craft, of Mr. Craft himself, and of her Majesty the Queen.
It was customary at the palace to taste a little of every-
tlaieg that was offered in the wey of drink, but visitors