his hands, and in cheerful fashion, deposed," etc. A dossier against the Lobaye Company deposited with the Court at Brazzaville contains one hundred and fifty-three counts of "crimes and delinquencies" against the Company's agents. The inspector reporting to the Ministry as to this Company and others, urges that "prosecution should no longer be directed against individual agents, but against the Companies themselves who have counselled, or even tolerated, practices against which humanity protests." Fraud to the detriment of the natives on the part of the Sette Cama Company is reported, and its suppression suggested. Of the Fernan Vaz Company, it is reported that the Company has caused "the exodus and revolt of the natives by the proceedings of its agents"; that it does not trade, but practises "coercion and slavery" and has violated "the most elementary rules of honesty." The Colonial Minister is urged to cancel its charter, as also that of the Brettonne Company. The Lefini Company is reported us treating its labour "with brutality and dishonesty" the Company's monopoly "becomes in its hands an odious weapon." The Mobaye Company is similarly denounced and its suppression recommended. The Haute N'Gunie Company is charged with having "by its exactions and brutalities caused uprisings in regions where merchants were formerly welcomed." The withdrawal of its charter is urged. A formidable indictment is drawn up and forwarded to the Colonial Minister in connection with the Company du Congo occidental. It includes the burning of 20 villages, and the capture of hostages—visited by a fine of £8 in the local court! There is a whole list of murders and acts of violence: the Company's proceedings have brought about "the gravest disorders" and its charter should be withdrawn. Of the Lobaye Company, a later report says that its recent profits "have been made in blood." Our silence would make us the accomplices of all its crimes and all its thefts. The Administration has the remedy—suppression. "The methods of the Bavili Company are described in yet another report as "methods of ruin, and a perpetual menace to public safety … methods especially resented by the natives after two hundred years' experience of freedom of commerce." The M'Poko Company is accused of having caused the murder of 1.500 natives in its concession.
