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APPENDIX. 
No. II. 
Downing Street, January 30, 1841. 
Gentlemen, 
In my general instructions of this day’s date, I have authorized 
you to make a conditional bargain of a site of land on the Niger, 
for the erection of a fort. But I have also instructed you, that 
you are not authorized to accept, on behalf of her Majesty, the 
sovereignty over any province or place which might be olfered 
through you to the Crown. 
The question of establishing British sovereignty in Africa must 
be reserved for future consideration and decision. But you will 
perceive from the accompanying copy of a letter, which has been 
addressed to me by Dr. Lushington and by Sir Fowell Buxton, 
that they have urged the establishment of such sovereignty as 
indispensable, in their judgment, for the success of the views of 
an agricultural society, who contemplate the prosecution of the 
special objects explained in the letter. 
Dr. Lushington and Sir Fowell Buxton are desirous of the 
purchase of the sovereignty over a temtory not exceeding one 
hundred miles square, in which the agent of the agricultural 
society adverted to, would, on behalf of that body purchase, in fee 
simple, the most eligible spot for the purposes of the society. 
I can only, however, at present instruct you to make this pro- 
position the subject of your most careful inquiry, with a view to 
your reporting. 
1st. ‘Whether a tract of land, of the nature of that required, 
could be easily obtained, and upon what terms. 
2nd, Whether such territory might be acquired in a district 
deemed tolerably healthy for Europeans. 
3rd. Whether the neighbouring tribes would be lilcely to be 
friendly or hostile to the proposed agricultural establishment; 
and, 
4thly. Wliat force would be required for the protection of such 
territory. 
You will have carefully to weigh, therefore, the practicability, 
advantages, and dangers of acquiring sovereignty for the Crown 
over a considerable territory. 
