Archive of rare documentary materials from British Bechuanaland, a short-lived Crown colony of the United Kingdom that existed in Africa (now a part of present-day South Africa) from 1885 to 1895. The collection comprises over thirty manuscript letters and documents between indigenous chiefs and colonial administrators, pertaining to governance of the colony, various conflicts, trade, firearms, mining, and agriculture. The collection breaks down as follows, largely relating to five different chiefs:
King Khama III: thirteen manuscript letters, eight signed by King Khama, Chief of the Bamangwato, providing a comprehensive account of all matters concerning the governance of Bechuanaland under foreign administration, including tribal conflicts, mining, and trade.
Chief Bathoen I: eight manuscript letters addressing issues of inter-tribal boundary disputes, firearms, liquor trade, cattle sickness and discontentment of revenue management in his country by British legislation.
Chief Sechele I: five manuscript letters dealing largely with the governing roles of chiefs within the reforms of the newly established Colony of British Bechuanaland, one featuring Sechele's rare colonial red wax seal.
Multiple Chiefs led by Sekgoma II: three manuscript letters announcing a group of several Botswanan chiefs coming together to confront two others accused of being traitors by granting a concession to one allegedly unscrupulous prospector in Ngamiland.
Seleka and Firearms Trade: three documents pertaining to arms and ammunitions importation and trade procedures, and one manuscript letter concerning a murder one of Chief Seleka's people.
In overall very good to fine condition. For a comprehensive description of the archive, click here.
