Britain Establishes Effective Rule in the Oil Rivers Protectorate; Macdonald Appointed

In 1891 Britain decided to establish effective rule in the Oil Rivers Protectorate and appointed Sir Claude Macdonald as Commissioner and Consul-General. The Foreign Office issued 'General Instructions' directing Macdonald not to interfere unduly with the 'tribal government' of the peoples but to allow local chiefs to continue to rule in traditional fashion, while the administration kept watch to prevent injustice and check abuse. Macdonald and his successors sought to carry out these instructions through the institution of the Warrant Chief System.