Washington.
well for itself as for the said Free States the flag of the International
African Association, th a t is to say, a bine flag with a golden star in
the centre.
That the said Association and the said States have resolved to
levy no customs dues on goods or products imported into their
territories, or carried on the roads th a t have been constructed round
the cataracts of the Congo ; this resolution has been taken so as to
encourage trade in making its way into Equatorial Africa.
That they assure to strangers who settle in their territories the
rig h t to buy, sell, or lease the lands and buildings therein situated,
to establish houses of business, and to trade on the sole condition
of obeying the laws. They undertakè in addition never to accord
an advantage to the citizens of one nation without immediately
extending the same to all other nations, and to do all in their power
to stop the slave-trade.
In witness whereof, Henry S. Sanford, duly authorised to th a t
effect by the said Association, acting for it, and in the name of the
said estates has hereto affixed his signature and his seal the 22nd
of April, 1884, a t the city of Washington,
( S i g n e d ) H. S. S anford.
L.S.
F rederic T. F relinghuysen, Secretary of State, duly authorized
to th a t effect by the President of the United States of America, and
in conformity with the advice and consent given to th a t effect by
the Senate, acknowledges to have received from the Association of
the C od go the above declaration, and declares th a t in accordance
with the traditional policy of the United States, which enjoins their
careful attention to the commercial interests of American citizens,
avoiding a t the same time all interference in the controversies
engaged in between other powers, or the conclusion of alliances
with foreign nations, the Government of the United States declares
its sympathy with and approbation of the humane and noble object
of the International Association of the Congo, acting in the interest
of the Free States established in th a t region, and commands all
officers of the United States, either on land or sea, to recognize the
flag of the International Association as th a t of a friendly Government.
In witness whereQf, he has hereunder affixed his signature and
his seal this 22nd of April, 1884, in the city of Washington.
(Signed) F red. T. F relinghuysen. ■
. L.S.:
1884.
Nov. 8.
CONVENTION BxWs.
BETWEEN THE EMPIRE OF GERMANY AND THE INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OE THE CONGO.
A r t i c l e m
The International Association of the Congo undertakes to levy,
no duties on articles or goods imported direct or in transit in their
possessions, present and future, in the basins of the Congo and the
Niadi-Kwilu, or in its possessions situated on the coast of the
Atlantic Ocean. This freedom from duties shall especially extend
to goods and articles of commerce which are transported on the
roads established round the cataracts of the Congo.
A rticle II.
The subjects of the German Empire shall have the rig h t of residing
or settling in the territories of the Association, They shall
be treated on the same footing as the subjects of the most favoured
nation therein, including the inhabitants of the country, in all
th a t concerns the protection of their persons or their goods, the free
exercise of their religion, the claiming and defence of their rights,
in matters of the navigation as well as in those of commerce and
industry.
Especially they shall have the rig h t to buy and sell, and lease
lands and buildings situated on the territories of the Association
to found houses of business, and to engage therein in commerce and
coasting trade under the German flag.
A rticle I I I .
The Association undertakes never to accord the least advantage
to the subjects of another nation, unless such advantage is immediately
extended to German subjects.
A rticle IV.
In case of the present or future cession of the territory of the
Association or of a part of th a t territory, the obligations contracted
by the Association towards the Empire of Germany shall be trans