On 23 May 1888, Alfred Moloney, the Governor of the Lagos Colony, wrote to Alaafin Adeyemi requesting for a treaty between the British and the Yoruba. The letter gives the clues and rationale for their recognising the Alaafin as Head of Yorubaland.
At Paragraph 3 of his letter, Moloney identifies the Yoruba:
‘As you know, and every Yoruba knows, people to the west and to the north are not Yoruba; they differ in feelings and object from Yorubas.’
At Paragraph 5, Moloney defines the Yoruba Homeland:
‘Yorubaland was comprised traditionally as regards its corners a few years ago of Yoruba proper, Egba, Ketu and Ijebu. Where is Ketu now? And from what direction was it destroyed?’
At Paragraph 3, Moloney indicates his desire for Yoruba unity:
‘You will have doubtless learnt I always aim at making all Yoruba-speaking peoples one in heart as they are in tongue. Towards such unity I attach much importance to a definite and permanent understanding between these Yoruba-speaking peoples, and this colony which is mainly inhabited by Yorubas.
At Paragraph 6, Moloney offers Lagos for the unity:
‘Without the entertainment of the least desire to meddle with the government of such kingdoms as Yoruba, Egba, or Ijebu, and with the assurance that not one yard of land is coveted by me, in feeling and sympathy for Yoruba union I desire that Lagos take the place of Ketu as the fourth corner.’
At Paragraph 3, Moloney invites Alaafin as partner for Yoruba unity:
‘And where should I look first for sympathy and support but to Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo the titular King of all Yoruba?
At Paragraph 4, Moloney acknowledges Alaafin as friend:
‘Between you and the Governor of the Queen’s Colony of Lagos there should be ever friendship, goodwill which no foreign interference should be allowed to influence or disturb.’
At Paragraph 7, Moloney acknowledges Alaafin as diplomat and negotiator:
‘If the accompanying document be agreeable to you, and embodies your wishes, sign it and return it to me. If your relations with the country to the north of yours be such as to admit of your persuading them what is to their interest, I would be glad to find you can get its people to sign a paper similar to the one I propose to yourself.’
At Paragraph 8, Moloney acknowledges Alaafin as peace-maker:
‘Look what has been done with considerable expense already by Her Majesty’s Government for the Yoruba-speaking countries in connection with the settlement among them in 1886 of what had been known as the Interior War, in which you took such action as should when you look back upon it swell your heart with pride, and your country with gratitude.’
Alaafin Adeyemi negotiated the end to the Yoruba wars. The Alaafin was able to do so because the combatants accepted and respected his leadership. The British were able to observe the Alaafin’s diplomatic and negotiating skills at close hand. It is therefore of no surprise that the British regarded the Alaafin as the man to negotiate a treaty with on behalf of the Yoruba particularly as the proposed treaty was directly related to alleviating the deleterious effects of the wars on the market routes. There were no other Yoruba leaders at that time that could have occupied the position that the Alaafin occupied.