Leopold II., King of the Belgians, Sovereign of the Independent State of the Congo, to all present and to come, greeting:
On the motion of our Secretary of State,
We have decreed and do hereby decree:
A permanent Commission is instituted to watch over the protection of the natives throughout the territories of the State.
The members of this Commission are nominated by the King-Sovereign for a period of two years from among the representatives of philanthropic and religious Associations.
Are named in the first instance:
Mgr. van Ronslé, Bishop of Thymbrium, Vicar Apostolic of the Congo Independent State, President;
Father van Hencxthoven, J., Superior of the Jesuit Mission at Leopoldville;
Father de Cleene, of the Congregation of Scheut;
William Holman Bentley, of the Baptist Missionary Society Corporation;