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The story of the Congo Free State

Chapter 66: TREATY OF LEOPOLDVILLE
By Henry Wellington Wack
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About This Book

The author traces the conception and establishment of the central African territory administered under King Leopold II, recounting exploratory missions led by Stanley and outlining the legal and diplomatic framework formed by treaties and the Berlin Conference. He surveys river navigation, transport and infrastructure projects, campaigns against the Arab slave trade and local uprisings, and the organization of colonial administration, the public force, revenue systems, concessions, missions, schools, and scientific and agricultural initiatives. The work collects testimony and responses to international criticism and concludes with a retrospective assessment and forward-looking appraisal.

TREATY OF LEOPOLDVILLE

29th of April, 1883.

We, the undersigned, chiefs of the district of N’Kamo, of Kuiswangi, of Kimpe, and of all the districts extending from the river Congo to Leopoldville and to Ntamo, up to the river Lutess and the mountains of Sama Sankori, have resolved to put ourselves, as well as our heirs and descendants, under the protection and patronage of the Comité d’Études of the Upper Congo, and to give power to its representative at Miamo to regulate all disputes and conflicts that may arise between us and foreigners of whatsoever colour, residing out of the district or territory of N’Kamo, in order to prevent strangers, animated by wicked intentions or ignorant of our customs, from exciting embarrassments or endangering the peace and security and independence which we now enjoy.

By the present act we also resolve to adopt the flag of the Comité d’Études of the Upper Congo, as a sign for each and all of us that we are under its sole protection.

We also solemnly and truly declare that this is the only contract we have ever made, and that we will never make any contract with any European or African without the concurrence and agreement of the Comité d’Études of the Upper Congo.

To the above resolution we freely put our marks.

Ngaliema, his X mark.
Makari, his X mark.
Numbi, his X mark.
Manwale, his X mark.
Nyasko, his X mark.