behalf of these protected tribes. If it only had the effect of preventing further irritation of King Theodore until the return of his Embassies from Europe, the advantages of such a step would be great.

In regard to future aggressions on the protected provinces from the Egyptian side, I have directed Mr. Speedy to remonstrate strongly in every case, and to assess property taken, as he has been ordered to do in the present instance, forwarding the assessment to you whether urged or not, such documents may be useful for reference hereafter.

As regards the Abyssinian side, I have done my best to impress on King Theodore the necessity of restraining these aimless and unauthorized expeditions, and shown him how mischievous they may be to his cause.

I have not hitherto been without success, and will continue the same course as I have opportunity.

As regards the second object I had in view, viz., the claims of the people of Bogos, for the individuals and cattle taken in 1854 the case is clear, and may easily be gathered from my predecessor's letters lodged in your archives.

A Pasha of Cassala inflamed by fanaticism, and who makes no secret that Islam ought to be advanced by the sword, falls upon an inoffensive Christian people under our protection, carries into slavery 350 men, women, and children, and distributes among his followers 1,800 head of cattle, besides goats and sheep.

His Government, on the report of our Representative here, repudiates such barbarity. The people taken are subsequently returned. In the mean time, our Representative leaves for the interior, and never returns. The local authorities, profiting by the want of pressure from without, have delayed the return of the cattle to this day. Having formally taken this matter over on the part of the people of Bogos, my course is plain. I will have nothing to do with the local authorities, who are of a stamp to throw disgrace on any Power pretending to the slightest civilization; nor will I have anything to do with payment in cattle, which may delay all settlement indefinitely.

Taking Mr. Plowden's statement as a base, I have assessed the value of 1,800 head of cattle at the Bogos price, with the average loss to their former proprietors, from the date when they were taken to the present time. I annex the assessment to this despatch, to be dealt with as you may think proper.

In regard to my third object, viz., the using my official influence to prevent further aggression, I would beg to state that I have already seen several of the frontier Chiefs between this and Bogos, and remonstrated with them on their lawlessness, explaining to them

that they may be made to return what they have taken from Abyзsinia; and have at the same time spoken or written to various authorities here on the subject, and I shall continue doing this until I re-enter Abyssinia.

I have also requested Mr. Speedy on his way to Massowah, to visit as many Chiefs as possible formally in my name with the same object.

He has further orders to consider the statu quo of the hitherto protected provinces when Mr. Plowden left them as the true one, until further instructions from you, and taking it for granted that they belong to Abyssinia, who levies tribute from them, to remonstrate strongly against any double levying of tribute on the part of the Turks of Massowah, and he is directed in this case likewise to assess the amount of tribute taken by the Turks from the time of Mr. Plowden's leaving, until now, for lodgment in your archives in the event of its being thought necessary to press repayment.

I have informed the Kaimakam of Massowah of this, so that if he chooses to act as he has hitherto done on this point, he will at least be doing so with a knowledge of possible consequences.

R. G. Colquhoun, Esq.

I have, &c.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

(Inclosure 2.)-Consul Cameron to the Pasha of Soudan. EXCELLENCE, Kadarif, Soudan, le 19 Mai, 1863. PERMETTEZ-MO1 d'abord d'exprimer mes regrets que je n'ai pas eu le plaisir de vous trouver à Cassala.

Mon but principal en visitant le Soudan était de consulter avec les autorités ici, afin qu'ils fassent cesser les incursions féroces des peuplades sur la frontière Abyssinienne, qui vous payent de tribut, et qui se jettent sur l'Abyssinie pour piller et tuer les Abyssins dans leur voisinage,

Personne ne sait mieux que votre Excellence que les vrais intérêts aussi bien que la réputation du Gouvernement Egyptien souffrent par ces incursions irrégulières. Ils souffriront encore plus si de tels faits sont publiés en Europe.

J'espère donc que vous prendrez des mesures sévères pour restreindre autant que possible les brigandages, pendant que de ma part, je ferai mon mieux à mon retour chez le Roi Théodore, pour les empêcher de l'autre côté, comme en effet j'ai fait déjà, et avec quelque succès.

Il y a encore un point sur lequel je me fais l'honneur d'écrire à votre Excellence. Quelques semaines avant mon arrivée à Bogos, les gens de Bisha et des Bareas assujettis à l'Egypte ont eulevé 300 vaches des gens de Bogos.

Les gens de Bogos ont été sous notre protection spéciale

pendant les guerres civiles que déclaraient l'Abyssinie jusqu'à l'élévation du Roi actuel au Trône, et quoique Sa Majesté est aujourd'hui assez puissant pour garder ses propres domaines, l'amitié qui existe entre mon Gouvernement et le vôtre, aussi bien que les liens qui nous attachent à l'Abyssinie, me justifient dans ce cas-çi en vous priant de faire payer ces vaches à mon aide, M. Speedy, qui restera à Bogos jusqu'à la fin d'Août pour les recevoir. Si'l n'a pas une réponse avant ce tems-là il a des ordres à faire un rapport spécial à Alexandrie, accompagné par un schédule représentant la valeur en argent des vaches volées des gens de Bogos, afin que mes supérieurs décident s'ils ne doivent pas être rem. boursés par votre Gouvernement.

Il faut s'en souvenir sur ce point que les tribus de Bogos sont parmi les plus inoffensifs de l'Afrique; mais s'ils ne l'étaient pas, je ne peux pas croire qu'un pays comme le vôtre voudrait encourager un systême de brigandage, qui ne fait qu'empêcher l'établissement d'une entente cordiale entre les deux nations.

M. Speedy a des ordres à visiter les Chefs, ou Egyptiens ou Abyssins, qui se trouvent entre ici et Massowah, afin de les conseiller de cesser à attaquer l'un l'autre.

J'ai prié à votre Wakil à Cassala de lui fournir un officier quelconque pour le supporter dans ces efforts amicales.

Mais j'espère bien que vous agirez fortement aussi; comme je vous ai déjà promis de faire de ma part.

Le Pasha de Soudan.

J'ai, &c.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

(Inclosure 3.)—Assessment of Value, in Maria-Theresa dollars, of Cattle due by the Egyptian Government to the Inhabitants of Bogos, in lieu of those plundered by the troops of Cassala on February 23, 1854; with estimate of loss to proprietors in consequence of non-payment from that date to the present.

I hereby certify that I have carefully investigated the above claim, that I believe the number of cattle to be approximately

correct, and that the estimated loss has been expressly fixed by me. at a lower rate than the truth.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

SIR,

(Inclosure 4.)-Consul Cameron to Consul-General Colquhoun. Kadarif, Soudan, May 20, 1863. WITH reference to my despatch of this day's date, stating that Mr. Speedy is directed to go down to Massowah, visiting as many native Chiefs on his way as he can, I would beg to mention that he has expressed a desire to open friendly relations with the tribes called indiscriminately "Barea," "Basa," and "Shangalla."

The service is not quite safe, but I have left it to himself, and placed some articles at his disposal as ransom for any Abyssinian slaves he may meet there, presents, &c.

Mr. Speedy in a late shooting excursion penetrated further among the adjoining tribes than any European has hitherto done and I have no doubt that the report on the tribes of the Egyptian frontier which he has been directed to draw up will be replete with interest.

One of the most advantageous results of his succeeding in establishing a friendship with this people will be the checking of the Slave Trade, which they carry on in Abyssinian Christians; an object, in accordance with instructions issued to my predecessor, may be possibly hereafter effectually arrested by Treaty.

Another advantage will be that a communication will have been opened with these tribes, in the event of the settling of the Egyptian and Abyssinian frontiers, in which they form a third and most important party, being forced upon our consideration. In regard to the traffic in slaves, I would beg to draw your attention to Mr. Plowden's despatch to you of the 19th of October, 1855, and his suggestion that the Pasha of Egypt should be urged to cause all the Christian Abyssinians in Soudan to be sent back to their country as an act of grace. If we could effect this, I know nothing that would give a stronger idea alike of our good will and the benefit which may be derived from it, on both which points I think that King Theodore is inclined to doubt. As regards the Baza, I may add that they inhabit the country to the north-west of Tigré, on which they are continually making inroads. They are plundered of what is called tribute in these countries by both Egypt and Abys inia, but never without fierce resistance.

They acknowledge no master, nor could they be induced to submit to either of their more powerful neighbours by any diplomatic intervention.

They are a handsome race, with long crispy hair; admirable

warriors; republican in their form of government; simple and austere in domestic life; and in their political, singularly honest and true to their word.

They are said to muster only 6,000 spears, and preserve their independence without the aid of guns or horses, neither of which they possess. I have, &c.

R. G Colquhoun, Esq.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

(Inclosure 5.)-- Consul Cameron to Consul-General Colquhoun. (Extract.) Kadarif, Soudan, May 20, 1863. You will have gathered from my despatches of this day's date that Mr. Speedy will not be fixed at Massowah during my absence.

The fact is, that the affairs of the Abyssinian frontier have fallen into confusion, principally in consequence of Mr. Plowden's agent at Massowah being of necessity tied to the spot for the transmission of letters, money, &c.

My communications are at present kept up through one of the King's interpreters, whom I sent down to bring the answers to my despatches of the 31st of October last.

I will give you an idea of the slowness with which my Government correspondence is carried on, when I state that I do not yet know whether those letters have reached England or not, yet I have received a packet from Massow ah to-day. R. G. Colquhoun, Esq.

C. DUNCAN CAMERON.

SIR,

No. 10.-Earl Russell to Consul Cameron.

Foreign Office, September 8, 1863. I HAVE received from Her Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Egypt your despatches of the 20th May last; and I have to state to you that Her Majesty's Government do not approve your proceedings in Abyssinia, nor your suggestions founded upon them.

I have only to desire that you will abstain from all interference in the internal affairs of that country, and that you will remain at your post at Massowah, whither you were ordered by my despatch of the 22nd of April last to return and reside.

C. D. Cameron, Esq.

I am,

&c.

RUSSELL.