ABSTRACT
ON the 22nd August, 1788,* the following Declaration was signed by the King and Chiefs of Sierra Leone for the cession of certain territories to His Majesty King George III :-
"Know all men by these presents that I, King Nambaner, Chief of Sierra Leone, on the Grain Coast of Africa, by and with the consent of the other Kings, Princes, Chiefs, and potentates subscribing thereto, in consideration of the presents, as by a list annexed, now made Ine by Captain John Taylor, of His Britannic Majesty's brig" Miro," in behalf of and for the sole benefit of the free conlnlunity of settlers, their heirs and successors, lately arrived from England, and under the protection of the British Governnlent, have granted, and by these presents do grant and for ever quit claim to a certain district of land for the settling of the said free cOlumunity to be theirs, their heirs and successors, for ever; that is to say, all the land, wood, water, &c., which are no\v contained from the bay conlIllonly called Frenchnlan's Bay, but by these presents changed to that of St. George's Bay, coastwise up the River Sierra Leone to Gambia Island, and southerly or inland from the river side, 20 miles. And further, be it known unto all nlen that I, King Nambaner, do faithfully promise and s,vear for Iny Chiefs, gentlemen, and people, likewise nlY heirs and successors, that I will bear true allegiance to His Most Gracious Majesty George III, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &c., and protect the said free settlers, His subjects, to the utmost of my power against the insurrections and attacks of all nations or people whatever. And I do llereby bind myself, my heirs and successors, to grant the said free settlers a continuance of a quiet and peaceable possession of the land granted, their heirs and successors, for ever. In witness whereof, I and my Chiefs have set our hands and seals this 22nd day of August, 1788."
