Report from the Select Committee on Slave Trade (East Coast of Africa); together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence, appendix and index

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 832922498

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-79587

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report from the Select Committee on Slave Trade (East Coast of Africa); together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence, appendix and index

Place of publication:: [London]

Publisher:: [The House of Commons]

Year of publication:: 1871

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XXIV, 242 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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120 APPENDIX TO REPORT PROM SELECT COMMITTEE No. 10 of 1868. 15 „ : s: No. 20 of 1859. Appendix, No. 7. would be given without hesitation; but it is possible that the concurrence of France would be less readily obtained. Government is aware of the attempts made about two years ao-o by the French authorities at Bourbon lo secure a large number of free labourers for tliat island from the east coast of Africa. The undertaking had obviously received the imperial sanction, but although the rules laid down for obtaining the required supply, and for rcou- lating the after condition of the negroes, were unexceptionable ; yet the result proved that practically, the scheme was a mere modification of the slave trade; Lieutenant Colonel Rio'by’s Ictteis to Government, noted in the margin, with their several enclosures, place that %on- clueion beyond doubt ; and it was probably owing to a similar conviction that his Imperial Majesty was induced to suspend, if not to rescind'", the questionable “ Free Labour Emio-ra- tion Trade.” It is to be hoped that the concession lately granted by the British Govern ment for a limited number of Indian coolies to be engagedIfor Bourbon, will obviate a re currence to the former system ; but as a rumour is current to the contrary, I trust that Her Majesty’s ministers will succeed in concluding a joint convention with France and the United States of America, whereby any such attempts will be provided against hereafter b" a general law for the total suppression of the slave trade on the east coast of Africa. The extent to wliich it has long prevailed in that quarter, its frightful increase for some years past, the utter inadequacy of the measures hitherto taken to arrest it, the dire effects which have already followed it, and the still worse consequences which must inevital)ly result from a continuance of the nefarious traffic, these considerations combined constitute a claim on humanity which it is devoutly to be hoped will be duly recognised and vindicated by the concurrence of the three powers in some regularly organised effort for its speedy abolition. 42. I attach in an appendix Lieuienant Colonel Rigby’s replies to a series of questions which I submitted to him regarding the slave trade m the Portuguese settlements on the east coast of Africa, as also on its prevalence at Zanzibar and its African dependencies. I am pleased to perceive that his opinions on that subject generally, as well as on the best means for suppressing the traffic, are in unison with the views expressed in the foreo-oin«- pages. ® ° 43. In conclusion I have to acknowledge my great obligation to the Reverend Mr. Badger associated with me in the Muscat-Zanzibar Commission, for his able assistance in dravvincr’ up this report, and I desire to bring the same to the favourable notice of Government. I have, &c. (signed) W. M. Coghlan, Brigadier, In charge Muscat-Zanzibar Commission, APPENDIX. dated Zanzibai, 1st October 1860. The Replies are by Lieutenant Colonel ltighy.'\ Query 1. Are you aware lo what extent the slave trade prevails in the Portuguese settlements, and in other parts of the eastern coast of Africa, not comprehended within the limits of ihe territory dependent on Zanzibar? dTiswer^l am aware that a very extensive and increasing export of slaves is carried on from the Portuguese territories in East Africa. I do not think that any export of slaves IS carried on from any paris of the East Coast except those within the Poituo-uese and Zanzibar territories. Query 2.—What parties are generally engaged in the traffic, and to what places are the slaves usually exported ? ^ present the traffic is chiefly carried on by Spaniards in large fast-sailing American clipper-built ships, and the slaves are conveyed to Cuba or the coast of America 1 believe that Freimh ships are also engaged in this traffic. About two months ago a slave- ship named the Formosa Estrella anchored in a bay on the east side of the Island of Zanzibar, fehe hoisted Spanish colours, but was consigned to the agent of Vidal Freies who are French merchants at Marseilles. I understand that this vessel is known to be owned by Vidal Frères, and she has been since seen on the coast under the French flao-. Query 3.-Can you inform me what efforts are made to suppress this traffic and with what success ? ’ Answer.-By the Portuguese authorities, absolutely none. The Sultan of Zanzibar endeavours to check it as much as possible, but his ships are never ready fbr sea • and I do not think a single individual in his service would do anything to check the shipment of ¡slaves unless urged to do so by representations made by the British Consul. The British cru.sers employed on the east coast for the suppression of the slave traffic are utterly inade- -vif..sail,„g dipper-sbi,,. Query 4.—

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