Government House, Lagos

May 23rd, 1888.

No. 115/77

King,

I received with much pleasure your letter of the 20th February last, and beg to thank you for the present of two cloths of the country, any manufacture of which interests me indeed.

2. To show my esteem to you and my appreciation of the position you occupy I have asked the Rev. S. Johnson, who returns to his ministerial duties, to salute you and your people with my compliments and respect; and to wish well to you and yours.

3. As you know, and every Yoruba knows, people to the west and to the north are not Yoruba; they differ in feelings and object from Yorubas. You will have doubtless learnt I always aim at making all Yoruba-speaking peoples one in heart as they are in tongue. Towards such unity I attach much importance to a definite and permanent understanding between these Yoruba-speaking peoples, and this colony which is mainly inhabited by Yorubas. And where should I look first for sympathy and support but to Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo the titular King of all Yoruba?

4. Between you and the Governor of the Queen's Colony of Lagos there should be ever friendship, goodwill which no foreign interference should be allowed to influence or disturb.

5. Yoruba-land was comprised traditionally as regards its corners a few years ago of Yoruba proper, Egba, Ketu and Ijebu. Where is Ketu now? And from what direction was it destroyed?

6. Without the entertainment of the least desire to meddle with the government of such kingdoms as Yoruba, Egba, or Ijebu, and with the assurance that not one yard of land is coveted by me, in feeling and sympathy for Yoruba union I desire that Lagos take the place of Ketu as the fourth corner.

7. If the accompanying document [ie Treaty] be agreeable to you, and embodies your wishes, sign it and return it to me. If your relations with the country to the north of yours be such as to admit of your persuading them what is to their interest, I would be glad to find you can get its people to sign a paper similar to the one I propose to yourself.

8. Look what has been done with considerable expense already by Her Majesty's Government for the Yoruba-speaking countries in connection with the settlement among them in 1886 of what had been known as the Interior War, in which you took such action as should when you look back upon it swell your heart with pride, and your country with gratitude.

9. I am anxious to hear of large markets re-established between Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ilorin, Abeokuta and Ijebu as they existed in the past, and safe roads. How this can best be done I will be glad to hear from you.

10. You will be at liberty to send your accredited messengers to me should you desire to have a longer conversation than can well be put within the compass of an ordinary letter.

11. I venture to send you five pounds as a small present.

Wishing you and all your people every good wish.

I am, King,

Your good friend,

Alfred C. Moloney, Governor.