ON SLAVE TRADE (EAST COAST OP AFRICA).
207
4. His Highness expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the terms of the arbitra- Appendix, N
tion, but said that he feared he might have some difficulty in procuring the sum of
80,000 crowns for the payment of the two years’ arrears to Muscat. I stated to him
that if he paid the amount within a reasonable period, it would carry out the terms of the
arbitration. I told him that if he would consent to liberate the three chiefs of the
El-Harth tribe, by name Abdallah bin Salim, Mahomed bin Salim, and Mahomed bin
Nassir, who are now in very rigorous confinement at Lamoo, they and their tribe are
quite willing to pay the amount of 80,000 crowns as a fine for their rebellion, and that
the release of these prisoners, who have been for two years confined in irons, would not
only be a humane act, but also tend to reconcile the El-Harth tribe to his family.
5. His Highness begged that the steamer might remain here a few days as the
Eed-i-Koorban, or Buckree Eed, was just commencing, and his time would therefore be
so much occupied with public ceremonies that he would have no opportunity to write. On
the 21st instant I again paid a visit to his Highness, when he informed me that he agreed
to the terms of the arbitration, and that all the members of his family were highly gratified
at the termination of the dispute with Syud Thoweynee ; and he expressed himself under
deep obligations for the assistance afforded him by the British Government, and for the
mediation of his Excellency the Viceroy in arranging his disputes with Syud Thoveynee.
6. The following day his Highness was taken ill, and for three or four days his life was
in danger. He has long been suffering from a complication of diseases brought on by
indulgence in sexual desires, which have greatly impaired his constitution, and he frequently
suffers from attacks of fever. In consequence of his state of health I have not
been able to again have an interview with his Highness, and only received this day the
answers to the letters of their Excellencies the Governor General of India and the
Governor of Bombay.
7. His Highness has also addressed me a letter, a translation of which is herewith
enclosed (Appendix No. 1), accepting the terms of the arbitration of his Excellency the
Governor General of India. The desire which his Highness expresses, that the annual
payment of 40,000 crowns should be held to be payable in two half-yearly instalments at
“Monsim” (April) and Damani” (September-October) is because the revenue from the
Customs is paid here at these seasons, and the dhows and other vessels only leave at these
times for Muscat and ports to the north ; and when he before agreed to pay the sum of
40,000 crowns per annum to Muscat, it was to have been paid at the above seasons.
8. I spoke to his Highness on the subject of Syud Barghash’s return to Zanzibar. He
appears to have little faith in his promise of future good behaviour, but said he is at
liberty to return here, and that if he again endeavours to foment disturbances, the
British consul will be aware of it, and can give him advice. The private secretary of
his Highness has to-day called on me on behalf of his Highness on this subject. He says
that he desires to forget all the past, and to treat Syud Barghash as a brother ; that if he
lives here in a peaceable manner, he will not be interfered with in any way. I replied
that I do not think Syud Barghash will again offend ; even if he wished to create a
rebellion he would find no party to support him ; that the power of the El-Harth tribe
—the only one which was hostile to Syud Majeed—is completely broken, and all classes of
the people here are too anxious for peace ; and that, as his Highness is aware from letters
intercepted, the former rebellion of Syud Barghash was instigated by the French consul,
who has since been removed.
9. I have also informed his Highness of the sentiments of his Excellency the Viceroy
and Governor General relative to the guardianship of his younger brothers and sisters,
the orphan children of his Highness the late Imam, and he promises that their heritage
shall be faithfully secured to them.
10. All the Arabs with whom I have conversed since the terms of the arbitration
became publicly known, have expressed great gratification at the peaceful termination of
the disputes between the sons of the late Imam, and all classes of the inhabitants feel
-rrateful to the British Government for having preserved these dominions from anarchy
and ruin.
I have, &c.
(signed) C. P. Righy, Lieutenant Colonel,
Her Majesty’s Consul and British Agent, Zanzibar.
Appendix, No. 1.
[Translation of an Arabic Letter.]
From His Highness Syud Majeed. hin Saeed, Sultan of Zanzibar, to Lieutenant Colonel
C. P. Rigby, Her Majesty’s Consul, Zanzibar; dated Zanzibar, 19th day of the Month
of Zilhuz, in the Year 1277 of the Hegira, corresponding to the 29th June 1861.
After Compliments,
I DESIRE to inform you that I have been very much gratified by the receipt of the letters
0.116. c C 4 from
