P o p €tS - - - ' A -T /1* c. frw ^5? \ 3 v € v y AFRICA. No. 5 (1893), PAPERS' RELATIVE TO THE SUPPRESSION OE SLAVE-RAIDING IN BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA. (In continuation of “Africa No. 5 (1892) :** C.—6699.] Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. June 1893. > LONDON: FEINTED FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE » BY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN’S LANE, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding Street, Fleet Street, E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, Westminster, S.W.; or JOHN MENZIES & Co., 12, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, and 90, West Nile Street, Glasgow; or HODGES, FIGGIS, and Co., 104, Grafton Street, Dublin. [C.—7031.] Price 1 \d % LIST OF PAPERS. NK —_ 1 4 , < •, \ ' + 1 > Page I. Commissioner Johnston to the Earl of .Rosebery ,. 9 9 • » • • October 19, 1892 1 2. Commissioner Johnston to the Earl of Rosebery .. • 9 • • .. March 19, 1893 2 Papers relative to the Suppression of Slave-raiding in British Central Africa. [In continuation of “Africa No. 5 (1892)C.—6699.] No. 1. Commissioner Johnston to the Earl of Rosebery .— (Received December 23.) (Extract.) Zomba, October -19, 1892. ANOT1IEE, slave raid took place in tlie beginning of October, in which three women were carried off, and actually since I began to write this despatch news has come in from Captain Sclater of a raid which occurred just a few days after I left Milanji (9th or 10th October), in which two natives of Milanji who had been working for the Administration for three months, and were returning home with their pay, were seized on the road by Yao robbers, and put into slave-sticks. Captain Sclater sent a party of thirty native police to search for the meu. Eortu- nately, they were found in a village on the north slope of Mount Mitshezi (a northern spur of Milanji) and released; but whilst the slave-sticks were being taken off their necks the rescuing party was fired on, and two of our native police were shot dead. The remaining men, however, stood their ground well, and killed four of the enemy, wounding nine or ten, made one prisoner, and captured four guns, besides effecting the main object of their journey—releasing from slavery native labourers who had worked for us and done good service. There have also been one or two raids in May and June on Lakes Company’s caravans between Blantyre and Matope. These last-mentioned robberies were traced to petty Chiefs living under Kawinga. I sent messengers to Kawinga, who, while refusing to give up more than one of the robbers, made a somewhat paltry reparation by returning most of the goods, and with these amends I had to be content, having no means at my disposal of exacting more. The other and more serious slave raids and robberies in June, August, and October were not, however, traceable to Kawinga. After sending out search parties, we discovered that these attacks proceeded from the Yao Chiefs dwelling to the north and east of Mount Milanji, in fact, to the confederacy which acknowledges Matapwiri as its head. Matapwiri is a celebrated personage in East Africa. He is an “Arabised” Yao Chief, a Malioinmedan, who, by happening to hold the pleasant fertile, well-watered country to the east of Milanji and the River Ruo, through which the great coast road from Lake Nyassa passes to Quilimane, has grown rich as a middleman, taking toll of the ivory which goes out from and the goods which pass into Nvassaland. A few years ago he was made a captain in the Portuguese army. Until recently a Portuguese officer used to reside at Matapwiri’s, but when it was ascertained that Matapwiri’s main town was within the British frontier this official was withdrawn. Whilst he resided there Matapwiri kept pretty quiet, but after the Portuguese left these slave raids began again. Yet, curiously enough, Matapwiri himself is favourable to the English, or affects to he. He lives within our borders, and his own immediate people, his own personal followers, give us no annoyance. When I was at Milanji at the beginning of this month I received envoys from Matapwiri, before whom I laid all our grievances. As supreme Chief of the district of Milanji, I called on Matapwiri to punish his subordinate Chiefs, and force them to respect our frontier. The worst among these sub-Cliiefs are Kumtiramanja, Mbunju, and Niarapa; also three runaway Swahilis, who once formed part of Consul Hawes’ bodyguard, but who deserted and took up their abode with Kumtiramanja, who refused to give them up when asked by Consul Hawes. These men are the ringleaders in most of Kumtira- manja’s raids. Matapwiri, however, has only, up to the present, returned evasive answers, declaring he has no power to make his outlying sub-Cliiefs obey him. B 2 [500] o No. 2. Commissioner Johnston to the Earl of Rosebery.—(Received May 29.) My Lord, Zomba, March 19, 1893. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship’s information, a Report on the recent troubles connected with the Slave Trade on the Upper Shire, on the subject of which I have already sent your Lordship various telegraphic despatches. I trust that my action in this matter may meet with your Lordship’s approval. I have, &c. (Signed) H. H. JOHNSTON. Inclosure 1 in No. 2. Report on the Slave Trade Revolt on the Upper Shire'. IN December 1892 I received a complaint from the Mpimbi Station on the Upper Shire, that a small caravan of unarmed porters, carrying Administration loads from Zomba to Mpimbi, had been attacked by some armed Yaos, and had been robbed of three loads of calico. Attacks of this kind on our caravans had occurred twice before in the year 1892, and, on inquiry, had been traced to some Yao hunters living under the protection of Kutsapa, a Headman of Liwonde’s, dwelling on the west bank of the Upper Sliire, about 18 miles above Mpimbi. On this occasion inquiry directed suspicion again to the people of Kutsapa, and also to a Yao Headman named Liwago (also owing allegiance to Liwonde) and living near the east bank of the Shire. > I directed Captain Sclater, R.E., to inquire into the matter. His messengers went to the villages of both the Chiefs. Liwago, or rather his superior Chief, Mbaza, protested that his men had nothiug to do with this robbery. Kutsapa returned no answer. Early in January I received information from Corporal Hoare, R.E., who is in charge of the Mpimbi Station, and from Captain Johnson (Commandant of the Indian police force in British Central Africa), and Mr. J. L. Nicoll, Collector of Revenues for the Upper Sliire district, and also from the German officers of the anti-slavery expedition who were passing up and down the Upper Sliire, that there were two large slave caravans in the country, one proceeding from the Portuguese coast. These slave caravans had been reinforced by men from Zarafi’s, Kawinga’s, Kutsapa’s, and Liwonde’s, and after making a detour at the back of Mponda’s country, they had apparently joined forces, and were travelling through the country of Msamara to the west of the Upper Sliire, towards Angoniland. Upon my return to Zomba, at the end of January, I received information that one of our messengers employed to go backwards and forwards overland from Zomba to Port Johnston, had been seized near or at Kutsapa’s village, and sold to the slavers. This boy’s name was Kagoro. His father was' a man named Kumbawa, and a tenant of Messrs. Buchanan Brothers, at Zomba. Kumbawa himself brought me the complaint. Bearing that this slave caravan would have got beyond our boundaries, and not liking to run the risk of an expensive expedition without more definite information, I directed Kumbawa to take a few men with him from Zomba, and attempt to follow up the slavers, and advise them to give up the boy. He did so; but returned with the news that the caravans were quite close to the River Sliire, and that they refused to give up the boy without an extravagant ransom being-paid for him. Erom Kumbawa’s description, I gathered that, although there were a great many people in the caravans, they had only ten guns with them, having sold the rest of their arms to buy slaves. I therefore thought that a relatively small force might deal with them effectually. I directed Corporal Hoare to take with him eighteen of the Zanzibari and Makua policemen, and a small number of armed Atonga* labourers, follow up the slave * The A tonga are the natives of the west coast of Lake Nvassa, near Bandawe. caravan, and endeavour to disperse it, setting free all the slaves, and especially looking- out for the kidnapped hoy from Zomba. Just as Corporal Iloare Avas starting, Captain Johnson arrived from Fort Johnston alone, having come down for a few days’ change. Hearing on Avhat errand Iloare was about to start, Captain Johnson decided to go with him. Guided by Kumbawa, they gradually traced the slave caravan to a A r illage in Msamara’s country, about 20 miles inland from the Avest bank of the Shire. The main body of the caravan had, hoAvever, received intimation of the pursuit,and managed to evade the expedition; but Captain Johnson succeeded fortunately in coming up with the tail end of the Ibe caravan. He and Corporal Iloare captured one of the slave traders (a man named ), rescued the Zomba boy, and set free four other slaves, all of them women, Avho had been carried off from the surrounding country. They also captured several loads of gunpowder. The village where this took place was in Msamara’s country; but Msamara himself had nothing to do Avitli the slave caravan, and his people afforded our party assistance in releasing the slaves. The expedition then returned to the west bank of the Shire, and spent the night in Liwonde’s village, believing Lfwonde to have nothing to do with this business, and to be quite friendly. LiAvonde, it will be remembered, is the most important Chief on the Upper Shire between Mponda’s country and Mpimbi. He is mentioned in my report of the 29th December, 1891, on the expedition of Captain Maguire and myself against the slave traders. On the occasion of that expedition, I had to threaten Liwonde with coercive measures if he did not consent to give up the Slave Trade, as Mponda and other Chiefs had done. He preferred at that time to assent to my terms in lieu of fighting. He therefore signed a Treaty Avith me in which he pledged himself to give up the Slave Trade and to assist Her Majesty’s officers iu their efforts to suppress the Trade in his country. This Treaty AA 7 as approved by Her Majesty’s Government in the spring of 1892. Nevertheless, for some time past, LiAvonde lias been very sulkv on the subject of the Slave Trade, which undoubtedly in the past was a source of great profit to him. After he had recovered from his first scare on seeing the Indian troops pass through his country, he gradually relapsed into his old ways, and slave caravans visited his country and were ferried by him across the Shire without disguise. I was perfectly cognisant of this; but was loath to have any resort to arms,, because I knew it would temporarily close the navigation of the Upper Sliire, and I thought it better to postpone decisive measures until the completion of the gun-boats for the lake and river. I might mention also that Liwonde is a Yao, and a brother or cousin of the Yao Chief Kawinga, who lives to the east of Mount Zomba. By far the bulk of Lrwonde’s- people are Mananja, and are a conquered race avIio are not at all attached to their Yao conquerors, by Avliom they are unceasingly exploited as serfs and slaves. The action of Captain Johnson against the slave caravans seems to have greatly incensed Liwonde, and his anger was heightened by the taunts of an old Arab named. Abubekr, who has resided with him of late, and Avho has been a kind of middleman for the coast slavers. Whilst Captain Johnson’s party was staying in Liwonde’s village, LiAvonde Avas pressed to attack them, but, after consultation,* decided it would be better that they should be attacked at a place in the bush on their next day’s march, and to that place he sent on a number of his young men, avIio were further reinforced by some of the slavers aaIio had escaped Captain Johnson the day before. Captain Johnson had an impression that some mischief Avas brewing, and, having put the released slaves and the captured slaver into one of our boats which had come up to meet him, he left LiAVonde’s before daylight and marched in the dark until the\^ came to the village of Kutsapa. Here they halted because in my instructions I had directed Corporal Iloare to visit Kutsapa’s, and if that Chief refused to give reparation for the raids on the road, and restore the stolen cloth, he Avas to burn down the Chief’s own house or houses, leaving the rest of the village untouched, provided that the people of the village (who are mainly Mananja) offered no opposition. Accordingly, when the party arrived at Kutsapa’s, they asked for the Chief, but the people told them that the Chief had run aAvay. His own three houses AA r ere surrounded by a fence and were situated apart from the village. The houses were searched but found to be quite empty. Corporal Hoare then explained to the people * There statements are the resume of much evidence taken down from px-isoners and runaway?.—H. H, J. of the village that in punishment of the robberies committed on the road, Kutsapa’s bouses would be destroyed, but that they themselves would not be harmed provided they offered no opposition. The people said they had nothing to do with the affair, and remained quite indifferent while Kutsapa’s houses were being burned.* After setting light to Kutsapa’s compound the expedition continued its march ■southwards towards Mpimbi, but about 3 miles below Kutsapa’s village they fell into an ambuscade which had evidently been carefully prepared before-hand. Kutsapa himself Avas there, together with a number of slavers, and about 200 of Liwonde’s men. This was the party that Liwonde had sent ahead of Captain Johnson to Avaylay him on the road, and the place had been very well chosen for the attack, inasmuch as the grass Avas A'erv high and dense on each side of the path. At the time of the attack, Corporal Iloare was on in front with the Atonga, and the Atonga on hearing the firing, threAV doAvn their guns and ran away. One of our Makua policemen Avas shot dead, and another, named Ndula, was most severely Avounded in gallantly closing with a man who had just raised his gun to shoot Captain Johnson at close quarters. Ndula killed this man, but Avas shot through the thigh himself. Three other of our men were wounded, and the Avhole expedition might have been annihilated but for the steady behaviour and coolness of the Makua and Zanzibaris, who carefully husbanded their ammunition, and delivered such effective fire, that six of the enemy, including nn important Headman, Avere killed. This, for awhile, repulsed the attack, and gave the expedition time to reform and effect an orderly retreat. Corporal Iloare, however, had been surrounded, and was struggling Avitli three of the enemy on the banks of the river; by a sudden effort he managed to free himself, and jumped into the water. He then swam for 400 yards doAAii stream under an incessant fire from both banks until Captain Johnson came up with him. The party then continued their march towards Mpimbi without further misadventure, conveying Avith them their Avounded. The total number of guns lost being four.f Arrived at Mpimbi, the Avounded Avere sent up to Blantyre for treatment, and Captain Johnson came on to Zomba to report to me. Unfortunately, whilst this fight was going on, a small boat belonging to the African Lakes Company, and manned by Atonga, was being rowed up the river AA r ith loads in it; the boat Avas seized by Lhvonde’s people, its contents taken out, and three of the boatmen (the others jumped into the Avater and escaped) were handed over to Liwonde himself, who ordered them to be killed. One Avas beheaded by Liwonde’s son, Tshibwana, the other tAvo, though very severely AAmmded, managed to escape into the reeds, and eventually reached Blantyre. At the same period also, an English hunter, named Koe, Avas travelling through the interior of Liwonde’s country, his camp was attacked in the evening, his men ran aAA'av, and he himself, being surprised whilst bathing in a river, had to run for his life quite naked. The Avliole of his property fell into Liwonde’s hands,$ and Mr. Koe barely escaped with his life. He wandered for a considerable distance through the bush until he reached the country of a friendly Chief, Msamara, one of aaTiosc Headmen partially clothed him, and assisted him to return to Mpimbi. LiAvonde also attempted a night attack on the station at Mpimbi, but it Avas made in rather a faint-hearted manner, and tAvo of the Avould-be attackers Avere captured. To add to our complications and difficulties at this juncture, the steam-ship “ Domira,” of the African Lakes Company, coming down the Shire, stuck on a sand¬ bank within 5 yards of the shore, opposite one of Liwonde’s hostile A T illages ; at first the people were deterred from attacking her from fear of the Hotchkiss gun Avhicli she has on board, but the people of the village in question Avere presently reinforced by a number of men from the Ibo caravan carrying a Portuguese flag, and preparations were seemingly being made to attack the “Domira ” on a favourable opportunity. Having so completely committed himself, Liwonde now attempted to form a regular league against the English on the part of those Yao Chiefs interested in the Slave Trade. At first it seemed likely that Zarafi, KaAvinga, and others would join ; and they would probably have done so, but for our prompt action. As soon as I could collect about 30 of the Zanzibaris and Makua police, I rejoined Captain Johnson at Mpimbi, and at that place mustered all the force on which I * I might here state that Kutsapa has since admitted his share in the last of the raids, and has paid a small tusk •of ivory in compensation for the cloth stolen. Some of the stolen cloth was afterwards found by us in one of the houses of Kutsapa’s village, and another piece was recovered by Lieutenant Von Bronsart, of the German ■Anti-Slavery Expedition, who caught a man in the act of conveying the cloth away.— H. H. J. t All have since been recovered. could immediately lay hands. It consisted of Captain Johnson, and two Sikh non¬ commissioned officers, Vice-Consul Sharpe, and about 70 Atonga, lent by the African Lakes Company, and Messrs. Buchanan Brothers, Messrs. Crawskay, Stevenson and Cameron, of the British Central African Administration, together with forty-six more’ Atonga, lent by Buchanan Brothers, and eighteen belonging to the Administration; also Mr. Henry Inge (petty officer B.N., seconded for service with the British Central African Administration) ; one Administration boat, and nine Makua boatmen. With this force we made an immediate advance on Liwonde’s country, marching' up the east bank of the river,* and being followed by the boat. Our first objective was the village of Malawi, where the Lakes Company’s boat had been captured. We found the village deserted on our arrival, but shots were fired at us out of the dense bush and grass, and two of our Atonga were wounded. Mr. Sharpe made a sudden sally which completely routed the enemy, and we set fire to the village. We found at that time no trace of the African Lakes Company’s boat, though it was afterwards discovered hidden in the reeds, and its oars and rudder were found in a village nearly 2 miles inland. The boat was quite unspoiled, and has been handed back to the- African Lakes Company. Prom. Malawi’s we pushed on rapidly to the point where the “ Domira ” had stuck on the sandbank. Our journey through the long grass and dense bush was very disgreeahle, as it was very difficult to localize the points from which the enemy’s fire (fortunately not of a very determined character) proceeded. After reaching the place where the “ Domira ” was, a much more determined resistance was shown by the party which held the village. Messrs Crawskay and Stevenson, who were in front, saw the enemy carrying a Portuguese flag, but I did not see it myself. Two or three steady volleys from Captain Johnson’s men cleared the village, and we took possession of it, and communicated with the “ Domira.” The following night was a very trying one, as firing was kept up all night long by the enemy into our rather exposed camp. The next day the attack became fiercer. Mr. Gilbert Stevenson, while proceeding on board the “ Domira,” was very severely wounded. All this time we were doing our best to throw up a rough fortification, and also to assist the “ Domira ” in getting off the sandbank. On the second day’s occupation of this spot, the enemy became bolder still in his attacks, and more accurate in his aim. My tent was shot through twice, and a servant standing close to me was severely wounded in the foot, but whilst this attack was being made on us, Mr. Sharpe had stolen out with a small party of Atonga, and attacked the attackers in flank, killing their leader, a man named Mtutu—a well-known slaver—and wounding one or two more. After this, the efforts of the enemy relaxed, and a continued series of excursions on the part of the Atonga and Makua which resulted in the loss of the lives of three or four oC the enemy secured for us more peaceful nights and days. Pinally, the “ Domira ” was got off and steamed down river. At one time, however, owing to the incessant firing and want of rest which it entailed on the white men, together with the expenditure of our ammunition, the situation looked somewhat grave, and Mr. Sharpe, who had gone down river in the “Domira,” represented the matter to Lieutenant-Commander Carr, of Her Majesty’s ship “ Mosquito,” who on the first news of this outbreak had come up to Blantyre with a force of twenty-nine seamen. Mr. Sharpe, hoping the “Domira” would soon return, advised Commander Carr to go up in her, but he, thinking that I might be in straits in the interval, and knowing the extreme uncertainty of the “ Domira’s ” voyages, decided to make an overland march. I may also mention that on receipt of the first news of our difficulties, Captain Prager, of the German Anti-Slavery Expedi¬ tion, and twenty-nine Soudanese, together with two non-commissioned officers and a- Hotclikiss gun, came up to our assistance. On their way up river they were attacked by Malawi’s people, and one of their men was severely wounded. Together with Commander Carr, B.N. (who brought with him Dr. Harper, of Her Majesty’s ship “ Mosquito ”), there travelled Baron Yon Eltz and Dr Boewer, of the German Anti-Slavery Expedition, Mr. E. J. Whicker, of the British Central African Administration, and also a Mr. Stanislas Steblecki, a planter from Blantyre Avho brought with him fifty-two of his Atonga], so that we were soon able to muster * Although the fighting had previously taken place on the right or west bank, and Liwonde himself lives t® an island off the west bank, I knew that the hostility all came from the east bank of the river, which is inhabited by Yaos, and infested witli slave-traders, whpreas all along the west bank the population is mainly Mananja, who are the unwilling subjects of the Yao 1 . at the place, which we now call Eort Sharpe, a very imposing force, consisting in all of about— European officers .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 European non-commissioned officers and men .. .. .. 32 Soudanese .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 29 Indian non-commissioned officers ,. .. .. .. .. 2 Wakua and Zanzibari police .. .. .. .. .. 50 Ii regular force of A tonga .. .. .. (about) 250 Commander Carr had also brought with him a Nordenfeldt gun, which proved extremely useful. We left "Fort Sharpe in charge of Corporal Hoare and a small garrison, and, dividing our party into two, marched up both banks of the river. I went with the party along the west bank, which made its objective Liwondc’s Island; the other party, under the command of Baron von Eltz, took the east bank, and aimed more especially at the settlement of the Arab Abubekr (whose men had made themselves wery prominent in the fighting), which settlement lay exactly opposite Liwonde’s Island. Along the west bank of the Shire we marched up without any opposition, though our journey was greatly delayed by the many ravines we had to cross. Baron von Eltz, who had an easier route as regards the nature of the ground, had Ida passage much more hotly contested—one Atonga was killed and several wounded—but the Baron made much effective shooting with his Hotchkiss gun, and finally dislodged the enemy not only from the east bank but from Liwonde’s Island, which we found abandoned, or almost abandoned, when we arrived there. After reaching this point we occupied both Liwonde’s Island and the Arab settlement opposite, and, in the course of several days, constructed a roughly-made fort at each place. The day after our arrival we were several times fired at, my tent again Icing the chief objective, but the Nordenfeldt gun raked the long grass and bnrii and huts where the enemy was hidden, and killed in all eleven, and completely dispersed the rest. Erom that time forth we were not any more molested, and several expeditions, under Commander Carr, destroyed villages on the hills where the enemy took refuge. These actions soon brought Liwonde to terms, especially when the steam-sliip “ Bomira ’’ arrived, bringing up Vice-Consul Sharpe and Commander Bobertson, B.N., Senior Naval Officer of the Zambesi-Shire. Together with these two officers I made an excursion in the “ Bomira ” up the river, to the limit of Liwonde's country on the east hank, but met with no resistance. Shortly before the ‘‘Bomira” returned we had succeeded in reopening communi¬ cations with Fort Johnston, thanks to the friendly offices of Msamara. Having put my terms of peace before Liwonde’s Envoys,* and left the twin forts at Liwonde’s and Abubekr’s sufficiently garrisoned, and under the command of Mr. E. J. Whicker, of the British Central African Administration (Mr. Nicoll, the Collector of the Upper Shire Bistrict, having arrived to undertake the further negotiations for peace), I returned with all the other officers and men to Mpimbi, from whence I proceeded to Blantyre. Although this serious outbreak on the Upper Shire has cost my Administration a good deal of money, anxiety, and loss of time, it has served once more to bring out in a very gratifying manner the loyalty to British rule of the great mass of the population of Nyassaland, and of almost all the Chiefs who dwelt within our borders. It is curious also that in the case of those other Chiefs whom we have had to fight in the past, or if not to fight, to exact from them compliance with our regulations by the show of armed force, so far from their seizing this or any other preceding opportunity to attack us when our forces were engaged with some other enemy, they have invariably shown on those occasions their loyalty and determination to assist the British; or, in the least favourable cases, that they were resolved to maintain a strict neutrality. After a momentary hesitation, Kawinga, whom we had to fight in 1891, and who, next to * The terms of peace were (1) that Liwonde should restore all property (of which a list was furnished) belonging to Mr. Koe; (2) that he should restore the guns taken from the Administration Police Force at the time of the attack on Captain Johnson ; (3) that he should compensate the African Lakes Company for the loads stolen out of their boat; (4) that he should give up for trial his son Tshibwana, who had beheaded the Lakes Company’s Atonga boatman; (5) that he should surrender Abubekr; (6) that lie should completely close his country henceforth to the passage of slave caravans. Condition No. 1 has been nearly fulfilled at the date of writing. Conditions Nos. 2 and 3 hare been fulfilled. Condition Nos. 4 and 5 have not been fulfilled ; and in regard to condition No. 6 , no answer has been received. 7 Makanjira, is our most serious opponent, sent messengers to tell me, when I was on the Upper Shire, that he would take no part in this quarrel with Liwonde, and would afford him no assistance. The smaller Mananja Chiefs on the Upper Shire were altogether on our side; Msamara did his best to rescue Mr. Ivoe, and to reopen our communications with Uort Johnston ; Mponda hastened down to Fort Johnston, and, together with all his Headmen, assured Mr. Nicoll, who was in charge there, that they would do their best to help in the defence of the fort if it should he attacked, while Jumbe, the Arab Sultan on the west coast of Lake Nyassa, manned his two dhows and came himself to Uort Johnston with a ton of rice and fifty fighting men. All these acts of friendship were quite unsolicited on my part, and had we not been thoroughly established in the good opinion of the Chiefs and people at the south end of Lake Nyassa, there is no saying what disasters might have overtaken us. As it was, our communica¬ tions with the Uort were cut off for nearly a month, and during all that time the Military Commandant (Captain Johnson) was away. At the time this outbreak first began, not knowing to what extent I might rely on the friendliness of our former foes, and hearing that Makanjira and Zarafi were again making preparations to attack us,* and that Ivawinga would be probably overborne by his “ young men ” and join in, the situation seemed to be a very serious one ; and no doubt it Avould have become dangerous if prompt action had not been taken, and if I had not been so thoroughly supported by the officers and men of Her Majesty’s navy and by Baron von Eltz and his men from the German Anti- Slavery Expedition. Great commendation is due to Lieutenant-Commander Carr, of Her Majesty’s ship “ Mosquito,” for the admirable manner in which he rapidly transported a large body of seamen, together with a Nordenfeldt gun, ammunition and stores of all kinds over a land journey of some 130 miles ( i.e ., from Tshiromo to Liwonde’s) in a very short space of time, and arriving without a single man sick. The health of the seamen throughout all this expedition until they returned to Blantyre was excellent, and they worked very hard fortifying the places we left garrisoned. Commander Bobertson arrived as soon as he could leave the transport work at Kacunga, and, as I have related, went on with me to the limit of Liwonde’s country ; and on the return journey greatly facilitated the winding-up of the expedition. My thanks are also due to both Hr. Harper, of Her Majesty’s ship “ Mosquito,” and Hr. Boewer of the German Anti-Slavery Expedition, for the care bestoAved on the AA 7 ounded men.f I consider that special commendation is due to Vice-Consul Sharpe for his gallantry and for the rapid manner in which he organised the somewhat undisciplined bands of Atonga; and Captain Johnson, who had, perhaps, in anxiety and fatigue, the most to suffer in this campaign, proved once more what invaluable training active service in India gives for bush warfare. Mr. Gilbert Stevenson, of the British Central African Administration, who Avas very severely wounded in the side (the bullet remains lodged in his body) has so far sufficiently recovered to be sent back to England for medical care, and I trust before long may be able to return to his duties. I inclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to me by the Bev. W. P. Johnson, M.A., of the Universities Mission to Central Africa, which may be of interest in connection with my action against Liwonde. (Signed) H. II. JOHNSTON, Her Majesty's Commissioner ancl Consul-General. March 19, 1893. Inclcsure 2 in No. 2. Mr. Johnson to Commissioner Johnston. Hear Mr. Johnston, “ Charles Janson ,” at Fort Johnston, March 8, 1893. I HAVE had the pleasure of conveying to you wishes for peace and for the Ulag from Kalauje of Unengo, and Mkalawili—this in the substantial form of messengers of some rank, amongst them Kalanje has sent his heir. Chingomanje, who sends his * Makanjira had been much enraged by the destruction of one of his few remaining dhows bv the German \nti-Slaverv Expedition. A party of Zarafi’s men had also fired on one of Major von Wissmann’s boats from the shores of Lake Pamalombwe. f I should further state that Mr. Gilbert Stevenson, and other severely wounded men, were sent, to Blantyre, and were most ably treated there by Dr. Atfieck >cott, of the Church of Scotland Mission, to whose unwearied attention their rapid recovery is due. [ 500 ] C 8 heir, is Kalanje’s younger relative, only important from his dhows. Kalanje and Mkalawili own the country from Msurnbu to Makanjila's boundary. Kalanje is most afraid of his dhows, and Mkalawili most afraid of his neighbour Makanjila. I have told them a Flag means “ kushika mguu,”* and that I, as a teacher, have nothing to do with it, but hope for peace. Kalanje sends the largest caravans to the coast, and promises (as far as that goes) to stop slaves going. Mr. Nicoll last time received these people civilly, and said he would refer the matter to you. This trip they come down again, and wish to go on in our boat to wait on you in person. I can but recommend their suit to your kind attention, rejoiciUg meanwhile that their country is reopened to Europeans. May I congratulate you on the prompt and successful action at Liwonde’s. I have ventured to write to Mr. Nicoll, recommending one Ngombe, a smith, and a wonderfully gentle old man, w r ho has been oppressed by Liwonde for being our friend, to your favour, and possibly to his restoration to his acres Of the rest of my Nyassa friends I could tell little, except of much oppression from Liwonde, who withal was a jovial ruffian, but alas, a genuine one. I remain, &c. (Signed) W. P. JOHNSON, Universities Mission to Central Africa. * Literally: “ To hold the leg t.e., to become subservient, subject, to any one.—H. H. J. PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS. o X s X o Ns 03 c*> a o: S § c* ~ ^ Ci OC 55 «» CO C~-4 05 •> os zL CO E? CO 3 O (n T) >> ►d pi to v> *-* P C3 r- -1 c C/3 - £T o cp (D C 3 T3 £L « t» K, o ? S CC ST < A •i Si. SI 5’ izj o CH •y