This volume opens a two-volume publication of archival documents on the history of our country's relations with the countries of Tropical and South Africa (previously said - Black Africa) for a long historical period - from the 18th century, that is, from the first contacts, to 1960. Why 1960? Two reasons. One: most of the domestic archival funds are still open only until the early 1960s. Second: 1960 went down in history as the year of Africa. Seventeen African countries have declared themselves independent states. A new period has begun in their lives - and in their relations with our country. There are many collections of archival documents on relations and mutual representations of Russia and foreign countries. But collections of archival documents on the relationships and mutual representations of our country and African countries are just beginning to appear.