When Freeman arrived in January 1862 to take over from acting Governor William McCoskry, the colony included Lagos Island and a small amount of mainland territory to the east and west.
[7] The Ogun River leading to Abeokuta was not safe for canoe traffic, with travelers at risk from Egba robbers.
[9] On 18 February 1862, Freeman signed a treaty with the former ruler of Lagos, King Docemo, clarifying that he would receive an annual pension of 1,200 bags of cowries for his lifetime.
[12] On 6 July 1864, his council established a Chief Magistrate's Court to handle civil and criminal cases.
[13] Freeman agreed with the former explorer Richard Burton, who visited Lagos, that the blacks were more likely to be converted to Islam than to Christianity.