"Some time ago a party of men came to my country, the principal one appearing to be a man called Rudd. They asked me for a place to dig and said they would give me certain things for the right to do so. I told them to bring me the written words. But now I hear it is not only to dig they want, but to do all things they like in my country. I asked the Queen to advise and help me as I am being pressed to do things which I do not understand and do not want. I ask the Queen's protection."

Chief Lobengula of the Ndebele, letter to Queen Victoria, April 1889. Lobengula ruled Matabeleland (in modern Zimbabwe). The letter was written after the Rudd Concession of October 1888, in which Lobengula believed he had granted limited mining rights but had in fact signed away sovereign powers.