CO885-(13-15) — Page 41

18,287.

ག ༴། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

13 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

SIR,

No. 102.

(GAMBIA.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Royal Courts of Justice, September 8, 1887.

We were honoured with Mr. Bramston's letter of the 29th ultimo, stating that

he was directed by you to transmit to us copies of a correspondence with the Governor

Governor, 23 May 1887.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office, 8 July 1887.

Foreign Office, July 1887.

Colonial Office, 3 August 1887.

Foreign Office, 10 August 1887.

of the West African Settlements and the Foreign Office, respecting the interpretation of the clause in the Treaty of 1826 under which the district known as the "ceded mile" at the Gambia was ceded to Her Majesty.

That Mr. Bramston was to request that we would be good enough to favour you with our opinion on the points raised in the correspondence, more especially as to the effect of the cession of the branches, creeks, &c. of the river, and as to what was included in it; whether it included the banks- and, if so, how far back from the water's edge, and up to what distance from the mouths of such branches, creeks, &c.

In compliance with the request contained in Mr. Bramston's lotter, we have the honour to

Report

That in our opinion the territory ceded by the Conventions of 1826 and 1827 includes one mile inland from the high-water mark of the northern bank of the River Gambia as distinguished from its tributaries between Jocardo Creek and the Atlantic Ocean.

Where the waters of the river flow in a creek, bay, or bend the ceded territory will follow the line of the shore or bank of the creek, bay, or bend a mile inland at every point, but where a tributary stream joins the Gambia a line must be drawn from point to point across the mouth of the tributary stream, and the ceded territory will extend one mile up the tributary from that imaginary line.

The map of 1826, though it cannot of course construe the Conventions, shows in our opinion correctly their true construction.

We have, &c.,

The Right Hon.

(Signed)

Sir Henry Holland, Bart., M.P.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

RICHARD E. WEBSTER. EDWARD CLARKE.

A 40069.-28. 25.-9/87.