The aim of this paper is to show how the development of colonial rule in Africa was reflected in the production of published documents by the colonial power. Its scope is restricted to British colonies in Africa - in the time available it really wouldn't be, possible to deal additionally with French, German, Spanish and Portuguese Africa, particularly as I know remarkably little about the publications produced in non-Anglophone African territories. I propose to run through the main categories of publications issued in British African colonies, with specimen copies mostly from Sierra Leone, whose colonial status was established early in the nineteenth century. I shall also have something to say about British official publications dealing with African territories.