ON SLAVE TRADE (EAST CO AST OP AFRICA).
131
(No, 38 of 1860.—Political Department.)
(Office No. 2547.)
From H. L. Anderson, Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, Bombay, to the Secretary
to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, Fort William; dated
14th June 1860.
Sir,
With reference to the letter from the Under Secretary with the Governor General,
dated Nurnaul, the 12th ultimo, and previous correspondence relative to the affairs
of Sohar and Muscat, I am directed by the Honourable the Governor in Council to
report, for the information of the Government of India, that Brigadier W. M. Coghlan,
the Political Resident at Aden, associated with the officers named in the margin, proceeded
to Muscat in Her Majesty’s Indian Navy steamer ‘‘Punjaub ” on the 31st ultimo, for the
purpose of investigating and reporting, for the information of the Government of India,
on the complications existing between Muscat and Zanzibar on the one hand, and Muscat
and Sohar on the other.
2. The Honourable the Governor in Council deemed it of great importance that
Brigadier Coghlan should visit Muscat before he visits Zanzibar, in order that the impression
which apparently exists, that the British Government is prejudiced in favour of
the pretensions of Syud Majeed, the ruler of Zanzibar, to complete independence of Muscat
should be removed. ’
3. The accon^anymg copies of the proceedings of this Government will place his
Excellency the Governor General in Council in possession of the instructions which have
been furnished to Brigadier Coghlan for his.guidance in the conduct of the important
duty entrusted to him. ^
4. I am instructed to state that, with the view of facilitating the objects of the mission
^d of adequately representing British interests at Muscat at the present time, the
Honourable the Governor in Council has appointed Mr. Hormuzd Eassam, Assistant to
the Political Resident at Aden, to act as British Agent at Muscat, as a temporary
measure. ^ ^
5. The question of remuneration to Mr. Rassam, and the other officers of Brigadier
Coghlan’s suite, will be submitted for consideration in a separate letter.
^ ^ , I have, &c.
Bombay Castle, 14 June 1860. (signed) H. L. Anderson,
Chief Secretary.
(No. 35, of 1860—Secret Department.)
(Office No. 217.)
From if. Z. Anderson, Chief Secretary to Government, Bombay, to the Secretary
1860 in the Foreign Department, Fort William ; dated 30 July
Sir,
In continuation of my letter. No. 38, dated the 14th ultimo, I have the honour by
directim of his Excellency the Governor in Council, to transmit to you, for submission to
^ the Eight Honourable the Governor General in Council, the accompanying copy of a
Report and its several Appendices, from Brigadier W. M. Coghlan, No. 10, dated the
4th instant, describing his proceedings on the occasion of his recent visit to Muscat, and
the result oi inquiries instituted by him at that place.
2. In forwarding this Report, I am desired to state that his Excellency in Council feels
certain that the Government of India will consider that satisfactory progress has been
made by Brigadier Coglhan in this important investigation.
3. In order that the Commission may, at as early a date as shall be practicable, proceed
to Zanzibar, arrangements are in progress for the dispatch of the steamer «Puniaub” to
that place. *'
4. As this vessel is the only one of the Indian Navy available for the proposed duty, it
has been found necessary, during the strength of the present south-west monsoon, to
engap freight for the conveyance to Zanzibar of a sufficient quantity of coal for supplying
the requirements of the “ Punjaub” on her return voyage
5.1 am desired to append to Brigadier Coghlan’s Report copy of a letter from Assistant
burgeon Welsh, the medical officer associated with the Muscat-Zanzibar Mission, accompanied
by a set of photographic views of the town and harbour of Muscat.
I have, &c.
(signed) H. L. Anderson,
Chief Secretary.
Appendix, No. 8,
The Rev. P. Badger
Assistant Surgeon
J. Welsh, and Mr.
Hormuzd Rassam.
Appendix A. (2).
