ON SLAVE TRADE (EAST COAST OF AFRICA). 
law and justice, that disgraced the latter part of 
Seyed Mujid’s reign, and to this agency he has 
been ever since I assumed the duties, most 
respectful ; but I have invariably stated distinctly 
that I hael no reason whatever to think that on 
the subject of the slave trade, he had in any way 
cnanged, or was prepared to grant what was asked 
through Mr. Churchill, although he had since 
tben strictly fulfilled the letter of former contracts, 
^ow it seems plain that he will not listen to any 
proposals, and to make such to him, without being 
^eady at once with the means of enforcing them, 
^prild be injudicious. Remonstrance and inti 
midation are alike useless ; to gain our object we 
must be prepared to act, and either to cripple his 
income or take the place from his hands. IVhat- 
Gver we do, ought, I think, to be done without 
previous notice, as Seyed Burgash, if I read him 
nright, is a man, once danger is plain to him, to 
save himself from us by any means, although 
these might compromise his independence. One 
thing is perfectly obvious to all who have had an 
opportunity of judging, namely, that as yet our 
endeavours have been thrown away, and that the 
slave trade will flourish as before so long as the 
old treaties alone are in force.” 
186. Lastly, I wish to read a report from 
Admiral Cockburn, which is dated from Zan 
zibar, the 31st of x\lay,M871 : I take an early 
opportunity after my arrival here, to write about 
the slave trade ; I am sorry to be obliged to give 
^ bad report. It is without doubt a fact, that the 
trade is as busy and profitable as ever it was ; in 
spite of all our exertions, every new plan adopted 
by us is quickly met by a cunning device of the 
Arabs encouraged by the Sultan, if not actively, 
certainly negatively. It is painful to any naval 
officer to be obliged to acknowledge this. Under 
existing treaties, and the recent instructions 
respecting domestic slaves, the Sultan having the 
power to give passports to any number of vessels 
ffiden with poor living creatures to be transported 
fo different parts of his dominions, it is rendered 
mmost impossible for a cruiser to take a dhow 
^Dywhere south of Lamoo, and during the S. W. 
^lonsoon it is very difficult to keep cruisers suffi 
ciently near the coast to intercept them running 
with a fresh breeze. I assure thew lordships, it 
is a matter of sneer and jeer by the Arabs, our im 
potent efforts to stop that horrible abomination ; 
yes, my lords, even the Sultan says the English 
will talk and bully, but can’t or won’t stop the 
trade. It is positively evident that a new system 
must be adopted. I propose that the money we 
annually expend in this course be employed in a 
more profitable and useful manner ; I suggest 
that a stationary ship to act as a depot and guard- 
ship, with a steam launch, be sent here under a 
captain who has had some experience in this 
duty ; that a certain sum per annum be paid to 
the Sultan, on condition that he gives up the 
slave trade, importing only a few to fill up vacan 
cies in his dominions. Your Lordships are aware 
that the Sultan receives about 10,0001. per 
annum, by a tax upon the entry as well as the 
exit of slaves. The sum given to the Sultan 
would be recovered by the saving in bounties for 
captured nogroes ; and the stationary guardship 
would be cheaper than a cruiser ; a large frigate 
without steam would be the best vessel, jury- 
rigged, and kept like a man of war, with a com 
mander’s complement of officers and men. This 
ship would be a military support to the Sultan, 
if he agreed to our own terms. I would add the 
advantage of a stationary officer at this port is 
greatly increased by the known fact that the 
East India Government do not encourage their 
ao-ent in his efforts for the destruction of the in 
human traffic, which of course hampers him, 
if it does not damp his zeal. I visited the slave 
market here yesterday, and a more painful 
and disgusting sight I never saw. Hundreds of 
poor negroes of both sexes, ranged about in all 
sorts of conditions, some living skeletons, others 
fat and well dressed, pulled about with a crook 
stick and examined just like sheep or other 
animals in a market. I will take another oppor 
tunity to give further information, but I would 
not delay the request for the stationary depot and 
guardship.” That nearly endorses the proposal 
of the Foreign Office Committee. 
Sir John William Kaye, called in; and Examined. 
187. Mr. KinnairdP] What office do you hold ? 
—I am Secretary in the Political and Secret 
pepartment of the Secretary of State for India 
ffi Council. 
188. How long have you held that office ?— 
I have held it ever since the Secretary of State 
for India’s office has been established in 1858, 
and previously to that time I held a similar 
appointment in the East India Company; alto 
gether I have held the office for 15 years. 
189. Has the India Office correspondence re 
lating to the affairs of Zanzibar passed through 
your hands ?—Entirely ; in a ministerial position 
of course, under the Secretary of State. 
^ 190. Will you state in what manner British 
relations with the Sultan of Zanzibar are con 
ducted ?—They are conducted through an officer 
■who is conjointly agent and consul ; during the 
bme of the East India Company he was the 
East India Company’s agent, and he was also 
the consul appointed by the British Government ; 
since the management of Indian affairs has 
passed under the hands of the Secretary of State 
for India in Council, he has been British agent 
0.116. 
and consul ; as agent appointed by the Government 
of Bombay, and as consul appointed by Her 
Majesty’s Government ; formerly, of course, the 
consular commissions were issued by the Foreign 
Office, but since the establishment of the office 
of Secretary of State for India, it was, after 
correspondence between Lord Stanley and Lord 
Malmesbury, agreed that the consular commis 
sion should be issued by the India Office, so that 
both as agent and consul he is under the India 
Office. 
191. By whom is he, in fact, appointed? — 
He is absolutely and practically appointed as 
agent, by the Government of Bombay, and then, 
ex officio, he becomes consul on the part of the 
British Government. 
192. He holds in fact the two diplomas, one 
from the Home Government and the other from 
the Bombay Government? — Yes, as political 
agent from the Indian Government, having his 
consular commission from the Queen; the only 
difference between lire state of things iormerly 
and since the establishment of the Secretary of 
State’s office is this, that the Secretary of State 
B 3 for 
Hon. 
/. Vivian, 
13 July 
1B71. 
Sir 
. IV. Kaye.