Autograph Letter Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Editor (1857-1921) of the manuscript newspaper 'Congo Mirror', who 'drew attention to irregularities in Congo Free State, 1886; [...] and accused Congo officials of murders and atrocities; with help he carried on the agitation until the Congo Reform Association was formed; in a series of letters to the African Mail entitled the Lower Congo he pointed out the injustice of the French rule and the concessionnaire system in Congo Francais' (Who's Who). Three pages, 12mo. On grey paper. Very good. Docketed in pen and green pencil. 'I have the honour to submit a paper on the foundations of government which I shd like to read to the members of the Society. I hope I have made the discovery of the hidden "elemental factor" in all government quite clear as well as the harm which must follow any [sic] the exclusion of any one of the factors in government.' Refers to previous works ('At the Back of the Blackmans mind', 'Nigerian Studies') and claims to 'have got at the elemental factors after many years of a close study of the West African languages & philosophy.' Asks, 'as an old member of the Society', 'for any advice you may be willing to give me that may help me to propogate the knowledge which I believe to be so necessary for right ruling.' 'In the event of your seeing your way to giving me a platform I should like the chair to be taken by Mr. Sidney Low.' Signed 'R. E. Dennett'. In postscript states that he is 'Senior Conservator of Forests, Southern Provinces, Nigeria'.