L'Afrique aux Noirs
Date: 2019-02-04T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Africa

The Project Gutenberg eBook of L'Afrique aux Noirs

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: L'Afrique aux Noirs

Author: Paul Otlet

Release date: February 4, 2019 [eBook #58828]

Language: French

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58828

Credits: Produced by Susan Skinner, Christian Boissonnas and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
(This file was produced from images generously made
available by the Mundaneum and mediated by the artists of
Algolit, a research project initiated by Constant.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L'AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS ***

L’AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS

PAUL OTLET

L’AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS

BRUXELLES
FERDINAND LARCIER, ÉDITEUR
1888

L’AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS

Parmi les multiples faits divers qui encombrent quotidiennement les colonnes de nos journaux, nous pouvions lire, il y a quelques jours, les lignes suivantes:

LE MOÏSE NOIR

«Les journaux américains racontent qu’un grand émoi règne actuellement dans le monde noir de l’Amérique. Il vient de paraître un prédicateur se donnant pour le Moïse noir qui doit sauver les nègres de l’Afrique et ramener ceux du Nouveau-Monde dans leur ancienne patrie. Ce mahdi américain se nomme tout simplement Gilles Moss; il habite Evansville, dans l’Indiana, il est âgé de 62 ans, et jusqu’à la guerre de sécession il était esclave. Bon orateur, Gilles s’est acquis une grande réputation de sagesse parmi tous les noirs des États-Unis, et comme les blancs eux-mêmes ont reconnu ses mérites, son renom s’est rapidement établi. Il conjure les noirs de se tenir prêts à s’embarquer pour aller brûler les faux dieux de l’Afrique et convertir les cannibales au christianisme; il tonne chaque dimanche du haut de la chaire et, le télégraphe aidant, tous les prédicateurs noirs de l’Union acclament d’enthousiasme le prophète d’Evansville. Déjà des milliers d’hommes et de femmes se dirigent vers l’Indiana, et, dans le Nord, les familles noires mettent en ordre leurs affaires pour être prêtes à partir pour l’Afrique au premier signal.»

Ce fait doit avoir pour nous plus que la valeur d’un simple fait divers. Il nous semble assez important pour être tiré de l’oubli où il est tombé.

⁂

Ainsi donc les nègres d’Amérique se réveillent. Un Moïse noir s’est élevé au milieu d’eux, prêchant non la guerre sainte, mais un patriotique retour vers le sol natal.

Pourquoi ce grand mouvement au delà de l’Océan?

Nous savons ce que sont les noirs d’Amérique: Enlevés au foyer des ancêtres par la force et la ruse des marchands d’esclaves, courbés pendant plus de trois siècles sous le joug des colons du Nouveau-Monde, des millions de représentants de la race noire ont enfin été appelés à l’émancipation en 1865, après la grande guerre esclavagiste.

Mais l’émancipation ne leur a pas rendu de patrie. Libres aujourd’hui sous le gouvernement de ceux qui furent leurs maîtres, ils ne peuvent jouir pleinement de leur liberté; riches, ils ne disposent à leur gré de leurs richesses; égaux en droit devant la constitution américaine, ils ne le seront jamais en fait, devant les orgueilleux Yankees.—Les emplois du pays, où ils se comptent par millions, ne sont jamais pour eux; les rangs de la société ne s’ouvrent pas pour les recevoir: ils ne rencontrent partout que dédain, répugnance et froissements d’amour-propre.

Cette situation nous a été révélée vingt fois par des voyageurs et des journalistes impartiaux.

Comment s’étonner, dès lors, de l’enthousiasme qu’excite le nouveau prophète. Sa voix qui prêche le rapatriement enflamme d’innombrables multitudes: Les nègres d’Amérique, qui aspirent depuis si longtemps après une terre où ils puissent jouir de leur liberté sans subir d’inévitables vexations, sans avoir, comme aux États-Unis, à déplorer leur origine d’affranchis, répondent à l’appel de leur Moïse en demandant à grands cris: «L’Afrique aux noirs!»

⁂

Nous, Européens, qui sommes allés coloniser le sol africain, nous, surtout Belges, qui avons pris une part directe dans l’œuvre civilisatrice du Congo, devons-nous, pouvons-nous assister les bras croisés au grand mouvement de rapatriement qui se dessine au delà de l’Atlantique?

L’œuvre du Congo est avant tout une œuvre humanitaire et chrétienne. Ce sont des hommes et des frères qu’il s’agit de relever d’une trop longue déchéance morale et intellectuelle. C’est aussi toute une fraction de l’humanité qu’il faut appeler au progrès matériel et au développement économique.

Cependant, en allant importer d’une pièce sur le territoire africain notre civilisation si complexe, n’allons-nous pas créer là-bas un formidable antagonisme entre deux états sociaux trop disparates pour se fusionner? En mettant directement en contact le blanc raffiné et le noir encore sauvage, n’allons-nous pas nuire plutôt qu’être utiles au récent et glorieux avénement du continent noir?

L’histoire de toutes les évolutions sociales enseigne qu’il faut se garder de progrès trop rapides et sans transition; et celle de toutes les colonisations établit que le sang de l’émigrant doit se mêler à celui de l’indigène.

Est-ce nous, Européens des pays froids, qui pouvons satisfaire à cette double et impérieuse condition, ou bien devons-nous admettre comme idéal de fusion l’intermédiaire d’un troisième élément de civilisation moyenne?

La question ainsi posée est résolue d’elle-même. Notre rôle en Afrique à nous, gens du Nord, doit se borner à un droit de haute tutelle, à une direction générale de son développement matériel et moral; et, comme conséquence, à l’établissement d’utiles relations commerciales.

Mais, en ce qui concerne les rapports directs avec les noirs, c’est-à-dire tout ce qui touche à leur vie politique et sociale qu’il s’agit d’organiser et de faire progresser, c’est par l’élément nègre lui-même, guidé par les Européens, que doit se faire cette œuvre de régénération.

Notre principe donc en cette matière doit être: «L’Afrique aux noirs.»

⁂

Aujourd’hui, s’il faut en croire les dernières nouvelles, les circonstances viendraient faciliter au plus haut point la réalisation d’un tel programme.

Il existe dans les États de l’Amérique des millions de nègres déjà christianisés, habitués au travail régulier et faits à toutes les exigences d’une civilisation avancée. Ces nègres pour la plupart sont instruits; beaucoup sont dans une enviable aisance ou même disposent de forts capitaux dus à leur travail intelligent. Ils ont vécu au sein d’une nation leur donnant tous les jours les plus rares leçons de la liberté politique et de l’industrialisme moderne.

Et voilà qu’au lendemain de leur émancipation, ces nègres veulent achever d’obtenir dans les rangs de l’humanité la place qui leur revient de droit. Libres par le fait d’autrui, d’eux-mêmes ils aspirent maintenant à se fixer dans un territoire qui soit à eux et ils redemandent leur ancienne patrie.

A nous de favoriser ces légitimes aspirations.

Que le vaste État indépendant du Congo ouvre ses portes à ces citoyens américains qui sont ses enfants: ils constituent le meilleur élément moyen de fusion entre la barbarie africaine et la civilisation européenne; qu’il leur demande d’aller achever, sous la tutelle du souverain que l’Europe a choisi, l’œuvre considérable de l’organisation politique, sociale et matérielle de ces immenses contrées.

Là, sous la garantie de l’Europe, les noirs d’Amérique trouveront la liberté et la nationalité qu’ils souhaitent. Une fois transplantés dans un climat qui leur convient, sur un sol qui est le leur, avec, pour les aider, des populations issues du même sang, ces nègres auront vite fait de couvrir de plantations les riches vallées du Congo et du Kassaï, de relier par des voies ferrées les principales sources de production, de créer des ports nouveaux. Ils auront bientôt mis fin eux-mêmes aux misères de l’esclavage, organisé la défense du territoire, assaini le pays, ouvert une riche région aux entreprises européennes. Et, se basant sur le rapide essort qu’ont pris les États-Unis depuis cent ans, il n’y a guère d’exagération à affirmer qu’avant un siècle Boma, Léopoldville et Banana puissent devenir les New-York, les Chicago et les Washington du continent africain.

⁂

Il y a quelques mois, résumant ses impressions sur la situation du Congo et l’avenir auquel peut prétendre ce pays, un de nos compatriotes voyageurs émettait cette idée:

«Il faudrait, disait-il, que l’on envoie en Europe un certain nombre de jeunes Congolais, afin d’y recevoir une éducation complète et spéciale. Avec le goût du travail, le vif sentiment de sa nécessité devrait leur être inculqué. Du doigt, pour ainsi dire, ils devraient toucher les bienfaits de notre civilisation, de façon à en conserver des traces indélébiles. On les renverrait ensuite là-bas, et à leur tour ils deviendraient les initiateurs de leurs compatriotes. Auprès de ceux-ci ils sauront toujours mieux remplir ce rôle que quiconque d’entre nous».

Quand on réfléchit sur les principes mêmes de l’éducation on comprend toute la vérité pratique de ces paroles.

L’histoire et les faits contemporains sont là du reste pour les appuyer de leur autorité.

Les Russes n’ont pu se mettre au niveau des autres peuples qu’en envoyant pendant de longues années un certain nombre de jeunes gens en Allemagne et même en France, pour y puiser les principes d’une éducation supérieure, qui pût réagir après coup sur les grandes masses du pays,—et de nos jours encore nos écoles officielles comptent de nombreux étrangers, Serbes, Roumains, Brésiliens, Argentins, Japonnais même, tous envoyés par leur gouvernement à seule fin de s’initier à nos mœurs et à nos idées occidentales.

La proposition de notre compatriote a donc pour elle de sûrs garants. Mais avant de porter des fruits, que de sacrifices d’argent et de temps n’exigerait-elle pas?

Ces mêmes avantages, à peu de frais et de suite, une nombreuse génération de noirs américains est prête à les réaliser.

⁂

L’Afrique aux noirs! Telle donc l’œuvre à laquelle il nous faut travailler.

A Léopold II de faire entendre de nouveau sa parole, à lui de prendre l’initiative de ce rapatriement des nègres américains. Qu’il se mette en relation avec le Moïse noir, qu’il fasse offrir des terres et des positions à ceux qu’enthousiasme la parole de ce nouveau prophète, et qu’ainsi notre Roi achève glorieusement la noble tâche qu’il s’est proposée: appeler à la civilisation le continent africain.

Rendre l’Afrique aux noirs!

Cette œuvre est digne d’un cœur d’homme et de chrétien, digne aussi du souverain éclairé d’un peuple libre et travailleur.

28 juillet 1888.

FERDINAND LARCIER

A BRUXELLES

le 2 août MDCCCLXXXVIII.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK L'AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 41 Watchung Plaza #516, Montclair NJ 07042, USA, +1 (862) 621-9288. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

- L’AFRIQUE AUX NOIRS

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE