KNOW ALL MEN, That this Contract, made on the fifteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
twenty-one, between King Peter, King George, King Zoda, and King
L. Peter, their Princes and Head-men, of the one part; and
Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres, of the other part;
WITNESSETH, That whereas certain persons Citizens of the United
States of America, are desirous to establish themselves on the
Western Coast of Africa, and have invested Captain Robert F.
Stockton and Eli Ayres with full powers to treat with and
purchase from us the said Kings, Princes, and Head-men, certain
Lands, viz: Dozoa Island, and also all that portion of Land
bounded north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the south
and east by a line drawn in a south-east direction from the north
of Mesurado river, We, the said Kings, Princes, and Head-men,
being fully convinced of the Pacific and just views of the said
Citizens of America, and being desirous to reciprocate the
friendship and affection expressed for us and our people, DO
HEREBY, in consideration of so much paid in hand, viz: Six
muskets, one box Beads, two hogsheads Tobacco, one cask
Gunpowder, six bars Iron, ten iron Pots, one dozen Knives and
Forks, one dozen Spoons, six pieces blue Baft, four Hats, three
Coats, three pair Shoes, one box Pipes, one keg Nails, twenty
Looking-glasses, three pieces Handkerchiefs, three pieces Calico,
three Canes, four Umbrellas, one box Soap, one barrel Rum; And
_to be paid_, the following: three casks Tobacco, one box Pipes,
three barrels Rum, twelve pieces cloth, six bars Iron, one box
Beads, fifty Knives, twenty Looking-glasses, ten iron Pots
different sizes, twelve Guns, three barrels Gunpowder, one dozen
Plates, one dozen Knives and Forks, twenty Hats, five casks Beef,
five barrels Pork, ten barrels Biscuit, twelve Decanters, twelve
glass Tumblers, and fifty Shoes, FOR EVER CEDE AND RELINQUISH
the above described Lands, with all thereto appertaining or
belonging, or reputed so to belong, to Captain Robert F. Stockton
and Eli Ayres, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Premises, for the use
of these said Citizens of America. And we, the said Kings, and
Princes, and Head-men, do further pledge ourselves that we are
the lawful owners of the above described Land, without manner of
condition, limitation, or other matter.
The contracting Parties pledge themselves to live in peace and
friendship for ever; and do further contract, not to make war, or
otherwise molest or disturb each other.
We, the Kings, Princes, and Head-men, for a proper consideration
by us received, do further agree to build for the use of the said
Citizens of America, six large houses, on any place selected by
them within the above described tract of ceded land.
In WITNESS whereof, the said Kings, Princes, and Head-men, of the
one part; and Captain Robert Stockton and Eli Ayres, of the other
part; do set their hands to this Covenant, on the day and year
above written.
(Signed)
KING PETER, X his mark.
KING GEORGE, X his mark.
KING ZODA, X his mark.
KING LONG PETER, X his mark.
KING GOVERNOR, X his mark.
KING JIMMY, X his mark.
(Signed)
CAPTAIN ROBERT F. STOCKTON.
ELI AYRES, M.D.
Witness, (Signed)
JOHN S. MILL.
JOHN CRAIG.