Situated between the Rivers Niger and Old Calabar, and bounded on the north by the left or Benue branch of the first river, on the south by the Atlantic, on the east by Old Calabar and the Dwalla Countries, and on the west by the River Niger, Benin, and Igara, is the extensive and well-watered tract of territory included in the Empire of the Egboes’

 According to Dr Baikie, Egboe extends east and west from the Old Calabar River to the banks of the Niger, or Kwora, and possesses also some territory at Abo, in the westward of the stream; on the north it borders on Igara and Akpoto, and is separated from the sea only by petty tribes, all of which trace their origin from the great race.

It is divided into several districts or counties, each speaking different dialects, although derived from one root. The principal counties are Isuama, Elugu, Isielu, Isiago, Abaga, Mitshie, and Djuku, all of which are situated on the north; in the middle are Abo, Abazim, Aro, and Ama­zunie; and in the south are Brass, Nimbe, Okrika, Ebane or Bonny, and Adony. Very little is known of these districts; their histories are shrouded in impenetrable darkness; expeditions have been made through the great water course into the interior; but no cross expedition, starting from the eastern banks of the Niger to the Old Calabar River, has as yet been attempted.

In the south the districts are intersected by numerous streams and rivulets, which enter to form the delta of the Niger; mangrove swamps are abundant in various places; except between Bonny and Old Calabar, the soil is rich and fertile. Further up, the country is more open and elevated, and numerously populated. In Isuama most of the towns are built on rising grounds, dry, and well selected; so that Isuama, Elugu, and Isiago, are far healthier and dryer than the sea-coast towns. But there are yet several large and important countries in the interior of Egboe of which nothing is known, as the country has not received that attention among civilized settlers that other parts of the Coast have. After the great failure of the expedition of  1841, no adequate attempt was made to open the River Niger until 1854, when a new impetus was given by the complete success of that year, but which, unfortunately, has been followed by tardy operations. The country is governed by independent kings and chiefs, whose extent of dominion varies greatly; some exercise authority over large and extensive districts; other rule over a town or village; and amongst these latter, such as in Oru or Jamen, the inhabitants are found to be wild, rude, savage, and treacherous. The title of king, unlike in the countries west of the Niger to as far as Senegambia, is hereditary in the male line. After the death of the father, the son is proclaimed king; in default, the brother. This may be seen in the coronation of the Kings of Bonny. So far back as could be remembered, Papa reigned for a certain period, and was succeeded at his death by his son Zhedie, who was also succeeded by his son Peppel i, who was succeeded by his son Peppel ii, then by his son Opubu, who was succeeded by his son Peppel iii. Bribo, his cousin, then succeeded him, or Peppel iv, and on his death, Dappa, the son of Peppel iii, ascended the throne, and was succeeded by George, his son, the now reigning king.

In some of the districts the people endeavour to assume the elective power; thus, after the death of King Obi, of Abo, two parties sprung up, one supporting the claims of the king’s sons, whilst the other advanced an influential person named Orisa as a candidate for the vacant crown; these two sections were known respectively as king’s people, and the Oshiodapara party. Whilst the rights of the parties were still in dispute, law and justice were administered by a neutral party, having no connex­ion whatever with either side. The kings exercise very extensive powers over their subjects, but they are not absolute monarchs, as any excessive use of power may lead to their dethronement; they are assisted in making laws and transacting public business by councillors, who in Isuama are generally four principal persons; here the king is called Obi, and is addressed by his subjects kneeling, by the title of Igue, or supreme head; in Abo the king is called Ese. The king very seldom goes out beyond the precincts of his premises, especially in the interior countries, because, before publicly showing himself in the town, a human sacrifice must be made to propitiate the gods............to be continued