Chapter I: Preface

Whatever its defects—and, no doubt, they are many and various—the Author claims for this volume that it is, at least, an honest attempt to deal with the problems, racial, political and commercial, yearly increasing in magnitude, connected with the administration of Western Africa by Great Britain and by the other Powers of Western Europe which participated in the scramble for African territory. As such it is respectfully submitted to the thinking Public. The Author considers it advisable to state that he has no commercial interests in West Africa, and is, therefore, uninfluenced by considerations of a personal nature, in emphasising the importance of the part played by the merchant on the West African stage. He also deems it right to say that the West African Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is neither responsible nor answerable for the opinions expressed herein. The Author hereby acknowledges the courtesy of the Editor of the _Pall Mall Gazette_, the Editor-Proprietor of _West Africa_, the Editor of the _Contemporary Review_, and the Editorial Committee of the _Journal of the African Society_, in permitting the incorporation of certain matter contributed by himself, from time to time, to those publications. His sincere thanks are due to Major Ronald Ross, F.R.C.S., F.R.S., C.B., for the chapter which that distinguished scientist has specially written at the Author’s request. To other kind friends and acquaintances who have good-humouredly submitted to cross-examination, and have allowed themselves to be victimised by the Author’s importunities generally, grateful appreciation is due, and is thankfully acknowledged.

HAWARDEN, 1902.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

FOREWORD—MARY KINGSLEY xiii

PART I

I. FIVE YEARS OF BRITISH TRADE WITH WESTERN AFRICA 1

II. THE OLD AND THE NEW 7

III. THE REAL AND THE IDEAL 11

IV. SOME NECESSARY REFORMS 20

PART II.—NIGERIA

V. THE DISCOVERY OF NORTHERN NIGERIA 35

VI. THE DISCOVERY OF NORTHERN NIGERIA—(_cont._) 43

VII. THE HAUSAS AND THEIR EMPORIUM 52

VIII. THE HAUSAS AND THEIR EMPORIUM—(_cont._) 59

IX. THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA 74

X. THE ADMINISTRATION OF NORTHERN NIGERIA 83

XI. THE FINANCES OF NIGERIA 89

XII. MOHAMMEDANS, SLAVE-RAIDING AND DOMESTIC SERVITUDE 94

XIII. THE PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS OF NIGERIA 110

XIV. RUBBER-COLLECTING IN NIGERIA 119

XV. THE FULANI IN NIGERIA 125

XVI. THE FULANI IN WEST AFRICAN HISTORY 130

XVII. ORIGIN OF THE FULANI 136

PART III

XVIII. SANITARY AFFAIRS IN WEST AFRICA. BY MAJOR RONALD ROSS, C.B. 153

XIX. LAND TENURE AND LABOUR IN WEST AFRICA 170

XX. A COTTON INDUSTRY FOR WEST AFRICA 188

XXI. THE MAHOGANY TRADE 201

XXII. ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA 208

XXIII. ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA—(_cont._) 224

PART IV.—THE FRENCH IN WEST AFRICA

XXIV. ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS IN WEST AFRICA 238

XXV. TEN YEARS OF FRENCH ACTION IN WEST AFRICA 249

XXVI. THE COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE FRENCH
POSSESSIONS 265

XXVII. FRENCH AND BRITISH MANAGEMENT IN WEST AFRICA 276

PART V.—MONOPOLY IN WEST AFRICA

XXVIII. THE CONCESSIONS RÉGIME IN FRENCH CONGO 285

XXIX. INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS AND MONOPOLY 297

XXX. THE HISTORY OF THE CONGO STATE 312

XXXI. THE DOMAINE PRIVÉ 327

XXXII. THE “TRADE” OF THE CONGO STATE 343