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  independent ­
  medium.
16.  After  a  day  or  two  spent  at  Muscat  in  effecting  these  objects,  I  contemplated  proceeding ­
  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  Government ­
  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  Government ­
  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  authorised ­
  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  proceeding ­
  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  relation ­
  to  the  other,  by  religious  law,  family  custom,  specific  instrument,  or  force  of  circumstances. ­
  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