Catalogue description War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Gambia, Original Correspondence

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Details of CO 87
Reference: CO 87
Title: War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Gambia, Original Correspondence
Description:

This series contains original correspondence relating to Gambia.
Date: 1828-1951
Arrangement:

Bound volumes arranged chronologically within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the Governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations), and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). With two case volumes. Each volume with a contents list, or a précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 correspondence is arranged in subject files.
Related material:

For correspondence before 1828 see CO 267

For correspondence after 1911 see also CO 554
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Physical description: 270 volume(s)
Access conditions: Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated
Unpublished finding aids:

For registers of correspondence see CO 326 before 1849, CO 341 after 1849. For indexed précis of correspondence see CO 714.

Administrative / biographical background:

After much dispute with the French, Gambia became a British colonial possession in 1783 under the administration of the African Company. In 1821, when the company was dissolved, Gambia came under the government of the Sierra Leone colony until 1843 when it became a separate colony. In 1866 Gambia became part of the West African Settlements colony until 1888 when it was made a separate colony again. The Gambia became an independent state within the Commonwealth in February 1965 and a republic on 24 April 1970.

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