Liberia <•- 



did not succeed, nor did his vague wanderings in the central 

 forests lead to any definite increase of geographical knowledge, 

 although they increased the political influence of Liberia. 



Lord Granville had promised President Roye in 1870 

 that although Great Britain could not bind herself to recognise 

 Liberian territorial rights west of the River Sulima, nevertheless 

 a mixed commission would be appointed to meet in the vicinity 

 of that river and discuss the Liberian claims to the territories 

 farther west. Roye had accepted this proposal, but before it 

 could be carried into effect the Vai people had again attacked 

 (in revenge for injuries suffered) the factories which Harris 

 had founded on the Mano and Mafa Rivers. The Governor 

 of Sierra Leone demanded an indemnity for these acts from 

 Liberia, reminding the Government of that country at the 

 same time that the indemnity agreed upon in 1869 had not 

 yet been paid. President Roberts paid over this first indemnity 

 in 1872, but demurred to the second claim. The matter 

 remained dormant until 1878, when it was revived with some 

 asperity by Sir Samuel Rowe, then Governor of Sierra Leone. 

 This second indemnity was a demand for about _^8,500. At 

 the same time Sir Samuel Rowe revived the claim of the 

 British Government to extend its protectorate along the coast 

 as far as the Mano River, partly on the pretext that the 

 Liberians were unable to keep order amongst the tribes west 

 of that river. 



lor their expenses and services, to be settled between them and the Consul- 

 General of Liberia. 



London, the 28th day of September, 1898. 

 For the Government of Liberia, 



Arthur Barclay, Secretary of Treasury. 

 J. C. Stevens, Attorney -General. 

 For the Committee of Liberian Bondholders, 



C. W. Fremantle, Vice-President of the Council, 



Acting Chairman. 

 268 



