Martin R. Delany and Abbeokuta

"Men and Brethren: The time has fully come when we, as an oppressed people, should do something effectively, and use those means adequate to the attainment of the great and long-desired end — do something to meet the actual demands of the present and prospective necessities of the rising generation of our people in this country. To do this, we must occupy a position of entire equality, of unrestricted rights, composing in fact, an acknowledged necessary part of the ruling element of society in which we live. The policy necessary to the preservation of this element must be in our favor, if ever we expect the enjoyment, freedom, Sovereignty, and equality of right anywhere. For this purpose, and to this end, then, all colored men in favor of Emigration out of the United States, and opposed to the American Colonization scheme of leaving the western Hemisphere, are requested to meet in CLEVELAND, OHIO, on TUESDAY, THE 24th DAY OF August, 1854, in a great NATIONAL CONVENTION, then and there to consider and decide upon the great and important subject of Emigration from the United States.
"No person will be admitted to a seat in the Convention, who would introduce the subject of Emigration to the Eastern Hemisphere — either to Asia, Africa, or Europe — as our object and determination are to consider our claims to the West Indies, Central and South America, and the Canadas. This restriction has no reference to personal preference, or individual enterprise; but to the great question of national claims to come before the Convention. . . ."

n spite of this restriction, at a succeeding Convention again meeting in Chatham, Canada West in August, 1858, Martin Robison Delany, the author of the "Report on the Political Destiny of the Colored Race on the American Continent," put before the Convention his view of the 1854 restriction: Since "this restriction has no reference to personal preference, or individual enterprise," and since I, "in the winter of 1831-32, being then but a youth . . . formed the design of going to Africa, the land of my ancestry," . . . I determined I would first "complete an education and go on an independent and voluntary mission — to travel in Africa . . . This design I never abandoned." Before the Convention was adjourned, Delany was able to convince the General Board of Commissioners in Executive Council to approve his proposed mission and that he, an MD, be appointed Chief Commissioner, along with Robert Douglas, an artist, and Robert Cambell, a naturalist, be commissioned to explore explore the Niger Valley in Central West Africa and report as to whether this location is practical and appropriate for the emigration of black people in the United States and the establishment of an industrial colony.

The further "purpose of the party [is] to proceed to Lagos, thence through Abbeokuta to Rabba, on the Niger, about 350 miles from the coast; to study the Agricultural and Commercial facilities of the country, and the disposition of the Natives toward strangers as settlers; also to negotiate for the grant or purchase of land, and to ascertain the conditions on which we might be protected in the usages of civilized life."

The approval did not come, however, without virulent criticism. Delany complains: "So soon as these names with their destined mission were officially published, there arose at once from officious meddlers (white) in Philadelphia, a torrent of opposition, who presuming to know more about us (the blacks) and our own business than we did ourselves, went even so far as to speak to one of our party, and tell him that we were not ready for such important undertaking, nor could be in three years yet to come! Of course, as necessary to sustain this, it was followed up with a dissertation on the disqualification of the Chief of the Party, mentally and physically, external appearance and all" (according to Frederick Douglass, Delany was very black, of full-blooded African descent, and proud of it).

These meddlers efforts, even though they managed to entice three blacks to offer themselves as substitutes, managed to turn Robert Campbell's head. These ingrates were instrumental in reducing our exploring in African from three years to one and the number of Commissioners from three to two — originally five were requested — in addition to Robert Douglas, Amos Aray and James W. Purnell were prevented from accompanying Delany. In the end, however, these white obstructionists were not entirely successful with their meanness. The two remaining explorers received the good wishes of many and were appropriated £750 pounds sterling to defray their travel, lodging, clothing and other necessities. They departed for Africa from Liverpool and remained in Africa for approximately 21 months, about a year and three months short of their original plan.

Thursday, the 20th of September, about noon, after stopping at Cape-Coast Castle for twelve hours, on the Coast of Benin, the steamer made her moorings in the roadstead, Bight of Benin, Gulf of Guinea, off Lagos. I disembarked, going ashore with the mail-boat managed by natives; from whence, by the politeness of the gentlemanly young clerk (a native gentleman) of Captain Davies', a native merchant, I was taken in a sail-boat, also manned by natives, up the bay, and landed at the British Consulate; whence I was met by Mr. Carew, the native agent of the Rev. J. M. Harden, a most excellent man, Missionary, and conducted to the Baptist Mission House.

After a stay of five weeks, visiting almost every thing and place worthy of note, being called upon by many of the most noted persons, among were several chiefs, having several interviews with the authorities, and meeting the most active, intelligent, Christian young men, in several of their associated gatherings, I was waited on by the messenger of the king; when after several interchanges of "words" between us, the following document of writing was "duly executed, signed, sealed, and delivered." I and Mr. Harden being present, and witnessing the measurement of the land, according to the present custom in that place:

That I, DOCEMO, King of Lagos and the Territories thereunto belonging have this day granted, assigned, and made over, unto Doctor Martin R. Delany for his use and the use of his Heirs and Assigns forever, All that piece of ground situated on the .South of the Premises and Ground occupied by Fernando, in the field at Okai Po, Po, measuring as follows. Three Hundred and Thirty Feet square.
Witness my Stamp hereunto affixed, and the Day and Year above written.

The Deed of Land above, granted to Doctor Martin R. Delany, by King Docemo of Lagos, has this 18th day of October, 1859, been registered in the Registry Book of the British Consulate, and numbered.

On the 30th of October, I left Lagos, proceeding via Gun river, to Abbeokuta, which I reached on Saturday, the 5th of November.

Here I met for the first time with my colleague and Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Robert Campbell, from whom, at Lagos, I found a letter waiting for my arrival in the hands of Acting Consul, Lieut. Edward F. Lodder, of Her Majesty's war vessel "Brun" which continually lies in the harbor, directly opposite and near to the Consulate. Consul Campbell (since deceased), had paid an official visit to England, and Lieut. Lodder was supplying his place.

From Abbeokuta, population 110,000, we proceeded to Ijaye, population 78,000, reckoned by the white missionaries and officers of the Niger Expedition of Her Majesty's service, who passed through once, at 80,000; Oyo, population, 15,000; Ogbomoso, population 70,000; Illorin, population 120,000; returning back, via Ogbomoso to Oyo: when by arrangement, Mr. Campbell leaving me at Oyo, returned to Abbeokuta by a new route through Isen and Biolorin-Pellu, small places: whence I, a week later. also by another strange route, returned, passing through Iwo, population 75,000; and Ibaddan, population 150,000, an immense city, the estimated number of inhabitants by the Civil Corps who passed through, being 250,000. It will be seen that I have made a liberal deduction of two-fifths, or 100,000 from this estimate; still, the population is immense and the city extensive, the walls embracing an outline of at least twenty-three miles.

From Abbeokuta, the water being very low, it was thought advisable that Mr. Campbell take charge of all our luggage, and proceed by way of the Ogun to Lagos. (he having disposed of his horse at Abbeokuta) whilst I, on horseback, with William Johnson our cook, the only servant we retained — a civilized native — as guide and attendant, proceeded by land, both reaching Lagos three days after, in the same hour of the same day.

The whole face of the country extending through the Aku region or Yoruba, as it is laid down on the large missionary map of Africa, is most beautifully diversified with plains, hills, dales, mountains, and valleys, interlined with numerous streams, some of which are merely temporary or great drains; whilst the greater part are perennial, and more or less irrigating the whole year, supplying well the numerous stocks of cattle and horses with which that country is so well everywhere provided. The climate is most delightful.

The first plateau or low land from Lagos, extends about thirty-five or forty miles interiorly, with but occasionally, small rugged or rocky elevations breaking the surface, when it almost abruptly rises into elevated lands, undulating and frequently craggy, broken often by deep declivities of glens and dates.

The soil of the first plateau, for ten or fifteen miles, is moist and sandy, more or less, gradually incorporating with a dark rich earth, which, extending quite through the second plateau, continually varies in quality, consistence, and color, from a sandy loam and clay-red iron pyrite appearance to a potter's-clay, and rich alluvial color and quality, the whole being exceedingly fertile and productive; as no district through which we traveled was without cultivation more or less, and that always in a high degree, whatever the extent of ground under cultivation or the produce cultivated.

The stone formation throughout these regions consist of primitive dark-gray granite, quartz, and conglomerates, with, occasionally, strata of felspar and mica, which are found mainly in the beautiful mountain regions (which are detailed extensions of the great mountains of Kong), having in these sections always beautiful gaps or passes of delightful valleys.

The minerals consist of iron in the greatest abundance, which at present is smelted by the natives from the clay, and every town of any note or size has not only its blacksmiths' shops, but the largest all have iron smelting works. At. Ijaye there is quite an extensive and interesting establishment of the kind. And, as they manufacture brass, there must be also zinc and copper found there — indications of the last-named metal being often seen by the color of certain little water surfaces. The stone formation bears the usual indications of aqueous and igneous deposits, but more of the former than of the latter.

The timber is numerous, and for the following classification I am indebted to my learned friend the Rev. Alexander Crummell, Episcopal missionary and Principal of the Mount Vaughn High School at Cape Palmas: Teak, ebony, lignum vitae, mahogany, brimstone, rosewood, walnut, hickory, oak, cedar, unevah, and mangrove.

Gum Yoruba (the same as gum Arabic), acacia or senna, castor oil, croton oil, rhubarb root, colomba-root ipecacu-anha, quasia, nux-vomica, cubebs, tobacco, and many others.

All the fruits common to the tropics are found in these regions; in fact, so redundant is Africa with these productions, that she combines the whole within herself; that is, there are some fruits found in the tropical parts of Asia, South America. the Asiatic and West India Islands, common or peculiar to one which may not be found in the other, but all of which, it may safely be said, can be found in Africa. Pineapples the most delicious in flavor and taste conceivable, oranges the same, bananas the finest, plantains equally so, mangrove plums (a peculiar but delightful and wholesome fruit, said by the natives to be a febrifage), guavas, and "soursops,: a delightful febrifage of pure citric acid, without the least acridness, as well as a hundred others which I cannot now name. The papaw or tree-melon also grows very finely here, and is a very useful and wholesome fruit. When green, "stewed and mashed," and well-flavored with the usual culinary spices, it cannot be distinguished from the best green apple sauce — for which reason it makes excellent pies. When fully ripe, it cannot be told from the finest muskmelon or cantelope . . .

The people are of fine physical structure and anatomical conformation, well and regularly featured; not varying more in this particular from the best specimen of their own race than the Caucasian or Anglo-Saxon from that of theirs. They are very polite — their language abounding in vowels, and consequently euphonious and agreeable — affable, sociable, and tractable, seeking information with readiness and evincing willingness to be taught. They are shrewd, intelligent, and industrious, with high conceptions of the Supreme Being, only using their images generally as mediators. "So soon," said an intelligent missionary as you can convince them that there is a mediator to whom you can speak, but cannot see, just so soon can you make Christians of them; "their idea being that God is too great to be directly approached; therefore there must be a mediator to whom they must talk that they can see, when God will listen and answer if pleased.

After my arrival at Abbeokuta, not going out for two days, they expecting me through information from Mr. Campbell, the third day the Chief Atambala called upon me, he invited me in turn to call and see him. In a few days after, the king held a popular religious festival in the great public space, where there were assembled many chiefs and elders; but on our approach, the old king sent his messenger to escort us to the porch of the piazza upon which he was seated, eagerly grasping me by the hand, bidding me welcome to Abbeokuta and his court; telling me, pointing to Mr. Campbell, that he was acquainted with him, and had heard of me through him.

In December, a meeting of the native cotton-traders, chiefs and others, was held at the residence of the great chief Ogubonna concerning the price of cotton. On the meeting assembling, and finding that we were not present, the chief at once dispatched a messenger, requesting our immediate attendance, as " we knew how things ought to be done." On going down, we found a large assemblage waiting, among whom were Messrs. Samuel and Josiah Crowther, H. Robbing J. C. During, F. Rebeiro, and C. W. Faulkner, civilized native gentlemen; also Mr. J. C. Hughes, an English gentleman. By a motion from myself, seconded by J. G. Crowther, the chief Ogubonna was chosen chairman, and, upon a motion by Mr. Campbell, seconded by J. Hughes, Mr. Robbing was chosen vice-chairman The meeting went well, we making many suggestions during the proceedings, which we always received with approbation.

The following from the native minister, being his own writing and Composition, will explain itself:

I replied in the affirmative to this kind invitation (the copy of reply is now mislaid), when, at the appointed time, a crowded house was assembled.

In a simple and comprehensive address made to them (being interpreted by the minister as I proceeded), such was the effect that it not only produced their unanimous applause, but aroused Mr. During (a native civilized merchant, who had never before spoken in public) to his feet, who approved of what I had said, with such an appeal of native eloquence, that when he ceased, sixty bags of cowries £54, or $270, estimating them at 18s. or $4.50 a bag, the then current value of cowries) were paid down on the spot, to aid the spread of civilization through the gospel and education. Many, very many were the thanks given me that day by these, my native kinsmen and women. Several other gentlemen, among them Surgeon Samuel Crowther, the Pastor, Mr. Rebeiro, and Mr. Campbell my colleague, also addressed them. Many had been the social, friendly, and official interchanges between us and the king and chiefs during our stay in Abbeokuta, when, on the twenty-seventh, the day after the missionary meeting, the following document was duly executed, with the express understanding that no heterogeneous nor promiscuous "masses" or companies, but select and intelligent people of high morel as well as religious character were to be induced to go out. And I am sure that every good and upright person in that region, whether native or foreign missionary, would exceedingly regret to see a reckless set of religion spurning, God defying persons sent there — especially by disinterested white societies in America, which interferingly came forward in a measure which was originated solely by ourselves (and that, too, but a few of us) as our only hope for the regeneration of our race from the curse and corrupting influences of our white American oppressors.

TREATY.

Art. 1. That the King and Chiefs. on their part, agree to grant and assign unto the said Commissioners,   on behalf of the African race in America, the right and privilege of settling in common with the Egba people, on any part of the territory belonging to Abbeokuta, not otherwise occupied.
Art. 2. That all matters requiring legal investigation among the settlers, be left to themselves, to be disposed of according to their own custom.

Art. 3. That the Commissioners, on their part, also agree that the settlers shall bring with them, as an equivalent for the privileges above accorded, Intelligence, Education, a Knowledge of the Arts and Sciences, Agriculture, and other Mechanical and Industrial Occupations, which they shall put into immediate operation, by improving the lands, and in other useful vocations.

Art. 4. That the laws of the Egba people shall be strictly respected by the settlers; and in all matters in which both parties are concerned, an equal number of commissioners, mutually agree upon, shall be appointed, who shall have power to settle such matters.

As a pledge of our faith, and the sincerity of our hearts, we each of us hereunto affix our hand and seal this Twenty-seventh day of December, ANNO Domini, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine.

His Mark, + OKUKENU, Alake.
His Mark, + SOMOYE, Ibashornm.
His Mark, + SOKENU, Balagun.
His Mark, + OGUBONNA, Balagun.
His Mark, + ATAMBALA, Balagun.
His Mark, + OGUSEYE, Anaba.
His Mark, + NGTABO. Balagun, O. S. O
His Mark, + OGUDEMU, Ageoko.
                  M. R. DELANY.
                  ROBERT CAMPBELL.
WITNESS — SAMUEL CROWTHER, JUN.
ATTEST — SAMUEL CROWTHER, SEN.

On the next evening, the 28th, the king, with the executive council of chiefs and elders, met at the palace in Ake, when the treaty was ratified by an unanimous approval. Such general satisfaction ran through the council, that the great chief, his highness Ogubonna, mounting his horse, then at midnight, hastened to the residence of the Surgeon Crowther, aroused his father the missionary and author, and hastily informed him of the action of the council.