When the French wished to define the northern boundary line between
their possessions and those of the English, it was quite easy to do so,
because they had already made treaties with the rulers of the various
provinces and their rights in the country were established.
With the western side it was not so easy, for there were two great
stumbling-blocks in the way. One was the kingdom of Gando, the other
the territory of the Borgus.
You will find Gando marked on your maps on the west of the Niger
territory. Borgu, or Bussang, lies just below it, and forms the northern
boundary of Dahomey.
Borgu and Gando had opposed the advance of both France and England, the
Borgus being an especially fierce and warlike tribe who refused to be
conciliated.
After a while the British succeeded in settling their differences with
the King of Gando, but Borgu was still in doubt.
In 1894 it came to the knowledge of the English that a French expedition
had been sent out to make treaties with the Borgus.
Immediately the news reached them the Niger Company sent out an English
expedition to Nikki, the capital of Borgu, to try and get the treaty
ahead of France.
Fortune favored the English. Their party arrived three weeks ahead of
the French, and the treaty had been made and all the arrangements
concluded before the French expedition made its appearance.
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