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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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

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