Phillips.] 47 J [Nov. 2, 1888, and 



THE CIVIL STATE. 



There are offices at Banana, Boma and Leopoldville, where are regis- 

 tered the births, deaths and marriages occurring among the European 

 population. Marriage must be preauthorized by the Governor-General, 

 and the ceremony performed by an official to be designated by him. 

 The rights and duties arising from matrimony are governed by the laws 

 of Belgium. Arrivals, departures and changes of domicile are registered 

 at Banana and Boma, 



LAND-HOLDINGS. 



When, in July, 1885, the sovereignty of tlie Independent State was pro- 

 claimed at Banana, at the same time a decree was published tliat no one 

 should attempt to dispossess the natives from any of their lands, and that 

 further, no territorial contract with them should be valid unless made 

 through an authorized agent. 



On August 23, 1885, another decree invited all foreign-born inliabitants, 

 who claimed land-rights in the dominion of the Congo Independent State, 

 to declare them before the proper official conservator of titles, so that they 

 could be entered in the registry, and the State could create and confirm a 

 valid and legal title to each proprietor. By this measure considerable 

 confusion and litigation were put an end to, for the blacks had often sold 

 the same property several times over to a difl'erent purchaser. 



A system, analogous to the "American Land Patent System," was 

 created, and an alienation was to be accomplished, by registry at a rec- 

 ord office, the fee for which was twenty-five francs at each enrollment. 



For the purposes of sale the State divided all lands into two classes : 

 1. Those belonging to the aborigines, and unoccupied lands. 2. Those 

 the property of the Slate itself. Any and all transfers of land in the first 

 category must imperatively receive the approval of the Governor-General 

 before they could be held valid. The lands of the second division were 

 sold only upon spontaneous demand, the contracts being signed by "The 

 Conservator of Titles," and approved of by the Governor-General, If the 

 property in question exceed 100 hectares, or embrace 200 metres of ripa- 

 rian rights, the contract of sale must first be sent to Bruxelles for the ap- 

 probation of the central government. 



These regulations are only carried out strictly in reference to the Lower 

 Congo region ; on the Upper Congo the acquisition of territory bj^ Euro- 

 peans is to be encouraged, and they are to be permitted, without pre- 

 authorization, to acquire any unoccupied land not exceeding ten hectares, 

 and not extending more than 200 metres along the Congo or other navi- 

 gable water-course, always providing this can be done peaceably and 

 without detriment to other rights. To occupy more land than the amount 

 above given the consent of the government must be obtained. So well 

 was the project carried out that, in less than three years from the date of 



