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). 177 Momba-a in order that he niight present it to the French. On what ground is this opinion Appendix, No. 8, formed ? Syiid Tlinweynee disclaims it altogether. A.—This question is answered by my reply to question 31. Q. 35.—You are doubtless aware that, prior to ih^ notification of the existing treaty between Muscat and France, his late Highness Syud Saeed requested to know the precise import of Article XVII. in the said treaty, which gives to France “ liberty to hire or erect houses and warehouses at Zanzibar or elsewhere.” It appears from a memorandum pub lished in the “ Persian Gulf” Government Selections, page 71, that his late Highness was satisfied with the explanation given by Commodore Monsieur Romain Desfosses. Never theless, as this point may eventually give rise to grave discussions, I shali feel obliged if you would provide me with a copy of anv correspondence which may have passed on the subject, either through the Consulate or the Foreign Department of the Government of his late Highness Syud Saeed? A.— Co pies of all correspondence on this subject, which is on the records of the Consulate, is herewith annexed, marked L* Q. 36.—Will you point out in detail any advantages likely to result by the severance of the Zanzibar state from that of Muscat? A.—1 consider that the connection that existed between Oman and a country so remote as East Africa was always an unnatural one, and very prejudicial to the interests of both countries. This I mean with reference to the want of all system and regularity in the government of Arab states, in w hich everything depends on the personal influence and presence of the ruling chief. The selections from the records of the Bombay Government relating to the Persian Gulf abundantly prove the dangers and disorders which constantly threatened the late Imam’s possessions in Oman in consequence of his absence at Zanzibar. On several occasions the threatened danger was only averted by the influence and interven tion of the British Government. Had the late Imam continued to reside at Muscat, it is probable that, with his energetic, shrewd character, he would have greatly extended his power, and firmly established it. In 1846 Lieutenant Colonel Hamerton writes to the Secretary to Government as follows : “ I brought to the notice of his Highness the injury which was occasioned to his interests in Arabia from his protracted stay at Zanzibar, and that the government at Muscat was but ill administend. His Highness replied that ibis had been a matter of much distress to him lately.” And in another letter during the same year he writes to the Secretary to Government, Bombay, “ I have, in obedience to instruc tions, most fully communicated to his Highness the Imam the state of his affairs in Arabia, as appeals from the copies of the documents inclosed with the letter. His Highness was aware of everything, but did not appear to consider matters so serious as perhaps they are. The imam has always appeared to me to care but little for his Arabian possessions further than the seaports. His Highness’s influence in the interior of Omanis irretrievably lost, from the feeble nature of his government, and he knows and feels it. His Highness last year deputed Sheikh Ali bin Masaood to proceed to Oman from Zanzibar to try to procure men from the different tribes in Oman to assist his Highness in the war he is now carrying on against the people of Sewee, but the Sheikh has returned without being able to procure a single sword (iom the tribes in Oman.” As an Arab chief, the late Imam was a very superior man ; it may be many years before his equal is found amongst his successors. From his personal bravery, his wealth, and his long reign, he had far more influence amongst those by whom he was surrounded than is likely to be possessed by either of his sons. Nevertheless, his absence from Oman de^tioyed his influence with the tribes, and nearly caused him the loss of all his Arabian possessions. With respect to ihe Zanzibar dominions, I think its complete severance from Muscat would soon lead to the stoppage of the northern slave-tiade. The ruler of Zanzibar would feel independent of the northern Arabs, who every year swarm at Zanzibar during the north-east monsoon to prey upon him. The sums distributed by Syud Majeed amongst these people every year is a serious drain upon the Zanzibar treasury. I imagine the only reason why these Arabs are thus paid is with tlie idea that their aid may some day be required. If these payments were stopped, and vigorous measures were adopted for one or two seasons by an English gunboat to capture the boats of these piratical tribes when found carrying slaves, I think they would soon discontinue to visit this coast, and probably find some more honest occupation. I think that, if Zanzibar is governed with prudence, it may perform a very important part in the future commerce and civilisation of East Africa. From Port Natal to Cape Guardafùi the only state from which any progress or stability can be hoped is Zanzibar, its commerce has rapidly increased within the last few years, and it bids fair to become the chief emporium of tiade on the east coast. Its population possesses valuable elements for commerce in the wealthy and numerous settlers from India, and the enterprising Arabs and Sowahllis who travel over Central Africa, distributing foreign goods in exchange for the products of the country. 'Ihe Portuguese possessions on the east coast are in a hopeless state of decay, and there is not the slightest probability of the Portuguese ever advancing the civilis ation or commerce of the interior. If Zanzibar should be an independent state, the dominions of its ruler would probably soon extend into the interior, and his power would be consolidated, and in time it might form a considerable African kingdom. But supposing that from the non-residence of the ruling chief; from its being continually held as a dependency of Muscat ; from neglect or feeble rule, suchas Oman has suffered from for so * As this point has no direct hearing on the subject of the present inquiry, the correspondence referred to is omitted from the attached Appendices. 0.116. Z

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