No. 933.
Viscount das
Nogueiras to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, January 10, 1888. (Received January 10.)
Mr. Secretary of State: When in 1885 the Government of his most faithful majesty assumed the protectorate of the coast of Dahomey, its object was to strengthen European influence in that region of of Africa, to put an end to human sacrifices, and to employ ransomed prisoners of war in the agricultural works of the province of St. Thomé e Principé.”
The realization of such an object could only be assured by the full and entire execution of the treaty of the 5th August, 1885, made between Portugal and Dahomey. The sovereign of that state, however, has raised doubts on many of the most important clauses of this convention, and by diminishing their importance and in contesting their validity he has succeeded in withdrawing himself from the accomplishment of the duties which resulted from that international agreement.
By direct investigations recently made, the Government of his majesty is convinced that the annual redemption of a hundred prisoners of war, made under very hard terms and rendered more difficult by obstacles raised by the King of Dahomey, did not at all diminish the continuation of human sacrifices.
The clauses of the treaty relative to the cession of territory were, besides, the object on the part of Dahomey of frequent disputes, and his majesty’s Government has practically recognized that the sovereign of that country could not or would not carry out the terms of the treaty in virtue of which the Portuguese protectorate was established.
Under these circumstances his most faithful majesty’s Government, not wishing to employ force to insure full compliance with the treaty, and still less to share the responsibility of events which will continue to take place in Dahomey, has felt itself obliged to renounce the protectorate of this country, and has charged me to inform the Government of the United States of that decision, as likewise of its renunciation of the rights which it had acquired, and that it had exercised on the coast of Dahomey; which at the same time relieves it from all the responsibilities which might result from the exercise of the protectorate.
While having the honor of making this communication to you I beg you, Mr. Secretary, etc.,