Machemba, king of the Yao in what is now known as Tanzania, to the German commander, Hermann von Wissmann, in 1890.

The suggestion that Asante in its present state should come and enjoy the protection of Her Majesty the Queen and Empress of India is a matter of very serious consideration. I am happy to say we have arrived at this conclusion, that my Kingdom of Asante will never commit itself to any such policy. Asante must remain as of old, at the same time to remain friendly with all White men. I do not write this in a boastful spirit, but in the clear sense of its meaning. The cause of Asante is progressing and there is no reason for any Asante man to feel alarm at the prospects or to believe for a single instant that our cause has been driven back by the events of past hostilities.

Prempeh I of Asante, in what is now known as Ghana, in reply to British offer of protection, 1891.

I have no intention of being an indifferent spectator, if the distant powers hold the idea of dividing up Africa. Ethiopia has been for the past fourteen centuries an island of Christians in a sea of Pagans. Since the All-Powerful has protected Ethiopia up until now, I am hopeful that He will keep and enlarge it in the future. I do not think for a moment that He will divide Ethiopia among other powers.

Menelik of Ethiopia, in a declaration to Queen Victoria of Great Britain, April 1891.

I pray and beseech my elders, as well as my Gods and the spirits of my ancestors, to assist me, to give me true wisdom and love, to rule and govern my nation, and I beseech you, my good friend, to pray and ask blessings from your God to give me long life and prosperous and peaceful reign, and that my friendship with Her Majesty's Government may be more firm and more closer than hitherto had been done, that bye-gones will be bygones, that Ashanti nation will awake herself as out of sleep, that the hostilities will go away from her, that I shall endeavour to promote peace and tranquility and good order in my Kingdom and to restore its trade, and the happiness and safety of my people generally, and thus raise my kingdom of Ashanti to a prosperous, substantial, and steady position as a great farming and trading community such as it has never occupied hitherto, and that the trade between your Protectorate and my kingdom of Ashanti may increase daily to the benefit of all interested in it.

Prempeh I, after being formally installed on the Golden Stool of the Asante, in a letter to the governor of the Gold Coast, 1894

God has created Black and White, each to inherit a designated territory. The White man is concerned with commerce and the Black man must trade with him. Let the Blacks do no harm to the Whites and in the same way the Whites must do no harm to the Blacks.

Behanzin, the last king of Dahomey, to the European governments, 1894.

The Lord has established various kingdoms in the world. Therefore I know and believe that it is no sin or crime that I should wish to remain the independent chief of my land and people.

Hendrik Wittboi, the Nama leader in South West Africa, to the Germans in 1894.

I see how you White men advance more and more in Africa, on all sides of my country companies are at work. My country will also have to take up these reforms and I am quite prepared to open it up. I should like to have good roads and railways, but I will always remain the Makombe my fathers have been.

Makombe Hanga of Mozambique to a white visitor in 1895.

I know the Whites wish to kill me in order to take my country, and yet you claim that they will help me to organise my country. But I find my country good just as it is. I have no need of them. I know what is necessary for me and what I want. I have my own merchants. Consider yourself fortunate that I do not order your head to be cut off. Go away now, and above all, never come back.

Wobogo, the Moro Naba, or king of the Mossi, to the French captain Restenave in 1895.

Enemies have now come upon us to ruin our country and to change our religion. Our enemies have begun the affair by advancing and digging into the country like moles. With the help of God I will not deliver up my country to them. Today, you who are strong, give me of your strength, and you who are weak, help me by prayer.

Menelik of Ethiopia, in a mobilization proclamation after the Italians, with British and German connivance, launched their campaign against Ethiopia in 1895.

(SOURCE: A. Adu Boahen, African Perspectives on Colonialism. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987)