Correspondence and Report from His Majesty's Consul at Boma Respecting the…

(17 User reviews)   4738
Casement, Roger, 1864-1916 Casement, Roger, 1864-1916
English
Imagine a dusty government report that reads like a detective story. That's what you get with Roger Casement's 'Correspondence and Report from His Majesty's Consul at Boma.' It's not a novel—it's a real investigation from 1904 into the brutal rubber trade in the Congo. Casement was sent by the British government to check on rumors of atrocities. What he found and documented was so shocking it helped change international opinion. This is the raw evidence, the firsthand accounts that ripped the lid off one of history's darkest chapters. It's a tough but essential read about how power works when no one is looking.
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No. | Name. | Date. | SUBJECT. | Page. ----+-------------------+-------------+--------------------------------+------ 1 | Lord Cromer |Jan. 21, 1903|Visit to Congo stations of Kiro | | | | and Lado. Native | | | | relations with Congo officials.| | | | Few natives, to be | | | | seen in the stations | 1 | | | | 2 | Sir C. Phipps |Sept. 19, |Transmits note from Congo | | | | Government in answer | | | | to despatch of 8th August | | | | to Powers parties to | | | | the Act of Berlin | 2 | | | | 3 | Mr. Casement |Dec. 11, |Transmits report on his visit | | | | to interior of Congo | | | | State and on condition | | | | of natives | 21 | | | | 4 | To Sir C. Phipps |Feb. 11, 1904|Transmits Memorandum | | | | in answer to note of Congo | | | | Government of 12th | | | | September inclosed in No. 2 | 82 | | | | 5 | To His Majesty’s |Feb. 12, |Transmits papers on condition | | Representatives | | of affairs in Congo State | | at Paris | | State | | and other Capitals| | | 84 ----+-------------------+-------------+--------------------------------+------ Correspondence and Report from His Majesty’s Consul at Boma respecting the Administration of the Independent State of the Congo. No. 1. _The Earl of Cromer to the Marquess of Lansdowne_.--(_Received February 9_.) (Extract.) _On the Nile, near Kiro, January 21, 1903_ I have just visited the Belgian stations of Kiro and Lado, as also the station of Gondokoro in the Uganda Protectorate. Your Lordship may like to receive some remarks on the impressions I derived as regards the Belgian positions on the Upper Nile. I should, in the first instance, observe that Commandant Hanolet, who is in charge of the district, was absent in the interior of the country; but Sir Reginald Wingate and myself were most courteously received by the officers in command at Kiro and Lado. From the point of view of appearance, the two Belgian stations contrast favourably with any of the Soudanese stations on the Nile, and still more favourably with Gondokoro in the Uganda Protectorate. The principal dwelling-houses are of brick. They seem to be well built. The stations are kept scrupulously clean. The troops are well housed. Flourishing gardens have been created. I counted the graves of nine Europeans at Kiro, all of whom died of fever, but I am informed that the health of the place is now greatly improved. I had heard so many and such contradictory accounts of the Belgian Administration that I was very desirous of ascertaining some concise and definite evidence on this subject. During a hurried visit, and with opportunities of observation confined to the banks of the river, I scarcely anticipated that I should be able to arrive at any independent opinion on the point at issue. I saw and heard, however, quite enough to gain an insight into the spirit which pervades the Administration. It must be remembered that the 1,100 miles of country which I traversed between Khartoum and Gondokoro has, until recently, been the prey of slave-dealers, Egyptian Pashas, and dervishes. Under the circumstances, it might well have been expected that much time would be required to inspire confidence in the intentions of the new Government. It is, however, certain that, with the exception of a portion of the Nuer tribe, who live in a very remote region on...

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This isn't a book with a plot in the traditional sense. It's an official document, but one that tells a gripping and horrifying real-life story.

The Story

In 1903, Roger Casement, a British diplomat, was sent to the Congo Free State. His job was to investigate the operations of King Leopold II of Belgium's private colony, specifically the rubber trade. For over a year, he traveled upriver, interviewing missionaries, traders, and—most importantly—hundreds of Congolese people. His report, published here, is a meticulous list of what he saw and heard: villages forced to collect impossible quotas of rubber, systematic mutilation (cut-off hands) used as punishment, mass killings, and widespread starvation. He presents the facts, witness by witness, turning bureaucratic language into a powerful indictment.

Why You Should Read It

You read this for the chilling clarity of the truth. Casement doesn't use flowery language; he uses dates, names, and direct quotes. That's what makes it so powerful. You're not getting a historian's summary written decades later—you're getting the moment of discovery. It feels immediate. It's also a fascinating look at how one person's careful work can challenge an entire system. This report was a key piece of evidence that helped spark an international outcry.

Final Verdict

This is for readers who want to understand history from the source. It's perfect if you're interested in human rights, colonialism, or true stories of investigative journalism. It's not an easy or pleasant read—it's often grim—but it's a crucial one. Think of it as the primary document behind so many other books about the Congo. If you want to hear the story straight from the man who uncovered it, this is where you start.



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Kevin Gonzalez
1 year ago

Citation worthy content.

Oliver Robinson
1 month ago

Finally found time to read this!

George Johnson
2 months ago

Great read!

Mary Taylor
5 months ago

Simply put, the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. Worth every second.

William Wilson
2 weeks ago

Without a doubt, it provides a comprehensive overview perfect for everyone. A valuable addition to my collection.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (17 User reviews )

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