1884.
March 20.
Mbìmbi.
suspended to a tree, a felon whom Judge Lynch of
Oongo-land has condemned for pilfering in the public
market,
The folks of Mbimbi welcome us with gleeful shouts,
for here are our carriers who know us all well. They
sweep the huts, and tidy them for their guests, while
bowls and foaming pots of palm-wine come forth as
a grateful testimony of their regard for us. •
Ngombi, close by to-the right, has excited the anger
of Mbimbi, and the chiefs of the latter wish me to
advise them how to slake their fury in the best blood
of Hgombi. Here is a storm in a teapot, tru ly ! My
work of preaching peace and brotherhood is not yet
ended, and so they have to listen to paternal admonitions
to keep the peace. The road cannot, must not,
be closed! Ho fighting nor sounds of gunshot must
be heard; the carrier travels with empty hands blit
loaded back, and they must not be frightened by the
noise of strife, the cries of war, &c/ So the people
of Mbimbi promise faithfully to cloak their wrath. But
to ensure their loyal observance of their promises a
treaty is made with them, as with each chief along the
route, that, in consideration of* certain quantities of
cloth to be paid to them monthly, they shall abstain
from acts of aggression and violence against their
neighbours. The purport of this, as of other similar
negotiations, may be best understood by the perusal of
the following forms
(Copy.)
E xpedition I nteknationale dtj H aut-Congo.
Village op Banza Mbuba, District op Nzungi,
March 26 th, 1884.
We,. the undersigned chiefs of Nzungi, agree to recognise the
sovereignty of the Association Internationale Africaine, and in sign
thereof adopt its flag (blue with a golden star). We declare we shall keep
the road open and free of all tax and impost on all strangers arriving
with the recommendation of the agents of the above Association.
All troubles between ourselves and neighbours, or with strangers of any
nationality, we shall refer to the arbitration of the above Association.
We declare that we have not made any written or oral agreement with
any person previous to this that would render this agreement null and
void.
We declare that from henceforth we and our successors shn.n abide by
the decision of the representatives of the Association in all matters affecting
our welfare or our possessions, and that we shall not enter into any
agreement with any person without referring all matters to the chief of
Manyanga or the chief of Leopoldville, or act in any manner contrary to
the tenor or spirit of this agreement.
Keekuru, his X mark,
Chief of Nzungi.
Nsdka, his X mark,
Chief of Banza Mbuba.
Nzako, his x mark,
Banza Mbuba.
Insila Mpaka, his X mark,
Of Banza Mbuba.
Iriaki, his X mark,
Chief of Banza Mbuba.
(Treaty.)
H enry M. Stanley, Commanding Expedition du Haut Congo, acting in
the name and on behalf of the * Association Internationale Africaine,”
and the king and chiefs of Ngombi and Mafela, having met together ¿1
conference at South Manyanga, have, after deliberation, concluded the
following treaty, viz.
Art. I.—The chiefs of Ngombi and Mafela recognise that it is highly
desirable that the 11 Association Internationale Africaine ”
0 2
Witnesses—
Dualla, his O mark,
Chami Pard.
Mwamba, his x mark,
of Makitu’s.
1884.
March 26.
Nzungi.