ON SLAVE TRADE (EAST COAST OF AFRICA). 
127 
Zanzibar, to induce them to establish a standing rule as to the right of succession either Appendix, No. 8. 
to the separate or the conjoined States. Such a law, enacted by general consent of the 
representatives of the late Imam’s family, and of the more influential tribes, might be an 
eiïectual means of preventing in future those intestine broils which have hitherto attended 
the demise of every successive Imam of Oman. It will be for the Government to 
decide whether any such attempt should be comprised within the scope of my present 
commission. 
14. I have been led to regard some definite instructions on the foregoing points as so 
indispensable to the successful accomplishment of the duty lately entrusted to me, that, 
in order to save time, I had purposed seeking a personal interview with his Lordship in 
Council before proceeding to Zanzibar. As there was no steamer available on the station 
to take Mr. Kassam to Muscat, it was my intention, on the arrival of a steamer from 
Bombay, to accompany him thither, and formally to introduce him to Syud ïhoweynee as 
the agent specially appointed to convey to him the assurance that the British Government 
would be impartial in its judgment, and otherwise to influence his Highness to rely 
implicitly on the justice of its mediation. 
15. Besides the insight which such a visit, however short, would give me into the affairs 
of Muscat, I deemed that, without raising any unwarrantable expectations in the mind of 
Syud Thoweynee, the official courtesy might tend to counteract the impression which he 
has evidently received, that the Government has already decided against him, and 
thereby prepare him to accept, in a proper spirit, the final result of the Governor 
General’s arbitration. Moreover, the presence of the Reverend Mr. Badger with me 
(should that gentleman be able to accompany me) would be an additional assurance to 
him that the investigation to be instituted at Zanzibar would be carried on through an in 
dependent medium. 
16. After a day or two spent at Muscat in effecting these objects, I contemplated pro 
ceeding direct to Bombay for the purpose of consulting his Lordship in Council on what 
I was to consider as the basis of my ulterior inquiries. As the south-west monsoon 
approaches, the voyage from Bombay to Zanzibar will, I believe, be more feasible than from 
Muscat or Aden. Even time, therefore may be saved by this course ; and in view of the 
importance of my being made acquainted with the opinion of Government on the several 
points set forth in this letter, I beg that I may be informed, either by telegraph or by the 
.steamer which is to convey me from Aden, whether his Lordship in Council approves of 
the arrangement above suggested. 
17. But considering that the fair season is rapidly passing away, and that the Govern 
ment seems for the moment hard pressed for ships, I venture to suggest further, whether, 
in the expectation that a steamer will be available for the Zanzibar Commission a fortnioht 
or three weeks hence, I may be permitted to proceed to Bombay, accompanied by the 
gentlemen associated with me, by the next Peninsular and Oriental Company’s steamer 
which will leave Aden about the 18th of this month. After consulting with his Lordship 
in Council the Commission might proceed direct for Muscat and Zanzibar in the Govern 
ment steamer which, by that time, may be available for the purpose at Bombay. You 
will, perhaps, be good enough to inform me, by electric telegraph, whether I am autho 
rised to adopt this course. 
18. On the other hand, if it is considered that detailed and definite instructions on the 
points submitted for consideration may be satisfactorily conveyed by telegraph either to 
Aden or to Muscat, and that the season will not be so far advanced as to render the 
voyage from either of those places to Zanzibar impracticable, the necessity for my pro 
ceeding to Bombay will thereby be obviated. 
19. rusting that the emergent consideration attached to the case on hand will be 
deemed an ample apology for the foregoing suggestions, 
I have &c. 
(signed) PF. M. Coghlan^ Brigadier, 
Political Resident and Commandant. 
Resolution by the Honourable Board (Bombay), dated the 16th April 1860. 
That the Political Resident be informed that this Government unreservedly 
grants to him authority to investigate and report for the information of the Supreme 
Government, on the relative positions of the rulers of Muscat and Zanzibar. It will be 
the duty of the Political Resident to ascertain what are the exact rights of the one in rela 
tion to the other, by religious law, family custom, specific instrument, or force of circum 
stances. Having arrived at a conclusion on this question, it will remain for the Political 
Resident to consider whether it is actually necessary that exact rights should be reco«"- 
nised, whether peace and tranquillity may not more efiectually be secured by inducino-the 
antagonist parties to make mutual concessions, whether judicious compromise will n(?t be 
of more real benefit to the Interests of all concerned, both rulers and subiects than any 
0,116. Q 4 ^ rigid