The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-21 00:00:00

FROII TEE GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

Earl Russell, her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, has received a despatch from Mr.
M'Coskry, Acting British Consul at Lagos, dated July 2,
1861, of which the following is an extract :
I have the honour to inform your lordship that, :notwith-
standing the signature of the treaty by the King of Porto
Novo, 1 found so many obstacles to trade, arising• chiefly
from old native custom, as to deter most merchai Its from
settling there. I therefore thought necessary to go to Porto
Novo in her Majesty's ship Brune, in order to have them
removed, where we arrived at 4 p.m. on the 14t1a. The
next day I went on shore to the King, and after a length-
ened interview of four hours, occupied in pointing out that
our measures for opening his country for free legitimate
trade would result as beneficially to him as to us, I left him,
he having promised to lay the matter before his Chiefs and
Head Men next day.
Accordingly, next, day they met, and consented to the
terms I had drawn up.
On the 17th accompanied by several Europeans as wit-
nesses, I again visited the King, when the treaty, of which
the following is a copy, was signed, the King himself
pointedly asking his chiefs if they had well considered the
matter before signing.
On my return I called a meeting of the chiefs of Badagry,
and explained the terms of a mercantile treaty I drew up
for their signature. They, with two exceptions, consented
at once, and subsequently the whole of them signed the
treaty, of which a copy is herewith transmitted.

Inclosure 1, in Mr. M'Coskry's Despatch of July 2, 1861.
Copy of the Treaty signed by the King and Chiefs of Porto

Novo, June 17, 1861.
Whereas, there being at present no known and recog-
nised regulations with special reference to trading transac-
tions between British subjects, and others under British
protection, and the subjects of the King of Porto Novo.
William M'Coskry, her Britannic Majesty's Acting
Consul, on behalf of British subjects, Africans under Bri-
tish protection, and all legal traders, subjects of countries
in amity with Great Britain, and the King of Porto Novo
on behalf of his subjects, have agreed to the following
articles :
Art. I. British'subjects and other legal traders shall be
allowed to go and come freely, to and from P orto Novo and
any town within the territories of the King of Porto Novo,
and to erect houses or factories for the collection and pur-
chase of palm oil and other produce.
Art. 11. Legal traders shall be allowed to acquire, either
by grant or purchase, land in any part of the: town or ter.
ritory of Porto Novo, for the erection of housl ;t1 or factories
for the purpose of trade, or for the cultivation of cotton or
any other produce, the said houses or factories to be of
whatever construction may be considered best adapted to
the business of the owner and the security of his property.
Art. 111. All classes of the people, subjects of Porto
Novo or residing therein, shall be allowed at all times to
enter the houses of legal traders established in the territo-
ries of the King of Porto Novo, there to sell ,and barter the
produce of the country ; the natives so trading to be subject
to no imposts more than when trading ono with another.
Art. IV. The King of Porto Novo shall punish, upon
conviction, any of his subjects who commit robbery, or in
cendiarism, affecting the property of British subjects and
any other legal trader, and will use every means to brio,
such offenders to speedy justice.
Art. V. The King of Porto Novo shall cause any of his
subj acts or other natives residing in his territories under
his protection, who may be indebted to traders, to pay such
debts within reasonable time, and if not paid within the
time so fixed, the property belonging to such person so
owing, shall be sold, and applied to the liquidation of the
claims against him.
Art. VI. British subjects and other legal traders shall
be allowed to employ in their business, within. the territo-
ries of Porto Novo, the natives of any other country, either
on shore, in their houses and factories, or on the lagoon, in
the transport of goods or produce.
Art. VII. Any quarrel or dispute that may arise between
legal traders or their employes and natives of Porto Novo
shall be referred to the British Consular Agent, if there is
one, or, if not, to the British Consul at Lagos, who shall,
in conjunction with the King of Porto Novo, decide the
matter.
In consideration of the due fulfilment of the foregoing
articles, a payment of two heads of cowries shall be paid by
all legal traders on every cask containing 150 gallons of
palm oil, and two strings of cowries for each pound of ivory
exported from Porto Novo ; it being understood that no
other duty, direct or indirect, be levied on the same pro-
duce, and the King do no trade.
It is further agreed that a payment of 15 heads of cow-
ries be paid for making public the readiness of any mer-
chant to trade.
Signed at Porto Novo, this 17th day of June, 1861.
Wet. M'COSKRY (Acting Consul).
LOJEE (King), ;4 his mark.
GOGA.O (Ist Chief), ;.4 his mark.
PROGAU (2d Chief), p 4 his mark.
Witnesses :
THOMAS TICKEL (Acting 'Vice-Consul).
CHAS. FoRREST (Lieut. Commanding H.M.S. Brune).
J. A. MASER (Ch. Missionary).
THOS. MAGNE.
J. B. WILLIAMS (Interpreter).
Inclosure 2, in Mr. M'Coskry's Despatch of July 2, 1861.
Copy of the Treaty signed. by_ the Chiefs of Badagry,