186
APPENDIX TO DEPORT FROM SELECT COMMITTEE
Appendix, No- 8,
the exception of some of the lower classes of the El-Harth. Again we sent a message
bidding him to go, but with the same result. Then we sent to Inm Hamood Inn Self bm
Msellini, and Seif bin Khalfan, and Hussein bm Mahomed the Chief ol the El-Harth,
and Hashim bin Swelira-el-Harethy, and Seif b.n Mahomed-el-Wall, and Ma.mmed bm
Moorbarek, to advise him and those with him to desist, and to warn them of the consequences
of their conduct. Nevertheless they would not listen, but declared that they
would not abandon Barghash ; and Barghash said that he would not quit Zanzibar, adding
that if Maieed did not come out against him, he would proceed with Ins men against me,
fiolit me in the town, and kill those who supported me. About this time we found a no(^
from BaiM-hasb addressed to the French Consul Cochet, wherein he wntes, ' W hat is
vour opinion if, in coming to the t twn to attack Majeed, we meet with any English or other
Christians on the road, shall we kill them or not? Give me your reply on this point.
We also heard (but God knows the truth) that while Barghash was in the gardens, the
French Consul used to supply him with munitions of war, powder, shot, &c. However,
when we perceived that matters had reached such a pitch, we determined to act; but as
the Government ship “ Assaye ” was in the harbour, deeming it proper that the [British]
Government should be made aware of everyibing, and also of what I intended to do, I
advised with Colonel Rigby (Captain Adams being present), and told them all about
Bargbash’s affair, and that I'proposed attacking him. As the house in which Barghash
had fortified himself was a very stronsc one, it was necessary that 1 should t ike guns lo
destroy it; but haying no gunners of my own, they were kind enough to supply me with
nine Englishmen for' the occasion, who accompanied us with our troops to Beiter-Ras,
where we remained that night, the house which Barghash occupied being about three hours
distant. In the morning our troops advanced, and we biyouacked ata place called Mevera,
and in the evening moved towards the position occupied by Barghash and his people.
Though it was raming hard T ordered my troops to attack, when such of Barghash s people
as were on the outside retreated, leaving the rest, who still continued to maintain their
ground. At this time we had no guns sufficiently large to batter the house, and as the
rain was falling in torrents, I ordered my troops to retire, intending to send for some larg-r
guns, as swords and muskets alone could do little against the f .rtlfied building. Accordingly
a fier spending the night, and then intending to renew the attack on the following
day with larger guns, we. heard at about 10 o’clock at night that Barghash and his people
had evacuated the house, which I then ordered to be occupied by an officer and a party
of my soldiers. Next movninti Captain Berkeley, with a party of brave British soldiers,
joined me, and I informed him of all that had occurred, and how Barghash had fled to the
garden of Hu sein bin Mahomed. His advice was that the fortified position should be
destroyed, and he accordingly directed a British officer and some soldiers to level it ; this
is what took place so far.
11 Bar«hash, however, had escaped to the tower and entered his house during the night.
On hearing this, I sent Saood to ascertain the truth, and to inform Colonel Rigby, whom I
had requested to take charge of the town during my absence. Saood accordingly communicated
with the Colonel, and it was decided that some of my own soldiers, with a party
from the frigate, should surround Barihash’s house till the morning, lest he should escape.
Colonel Rigby, however, and Saood wished to force the door open and bring the inmates
out; but Hamood bin Ahmed bin Seif undertook to effect this without breaking the door;
so he called to Barghash to open the door, and not to be afraid. He did so at once, and
was brought forthwith to my house; this is what took place in the town.
12. As to myself, on waking 1 ordered my troops to return, and on reaching the town
was met by Colonel Rigby and Saood, who told me all that had liappened. So I enteied
my house accompanied by Colonel Rigby, and met there Captain Adams, and Captain
Berkeley, and Sultan bin Hamood, and my brothers, and Barghash. On asking the
latter what had induced him to actas he had done, he replied, “It is useless to talk of
the past; all I now ask for is my personal safety.” I answered, “ You shall have it, and
all that I require of you is, that you should leave Zanzibar, and here is the Government
ship ‘ Assaye’ ready to take you.” He then asked for three days delay to prepare for
the voyage, which was granted. He then wrote a paper in the presence of the above named,
promising to quit Zanzibar, and never to return without my permission, and the paper
was witnessed bv the signatures of all present. Three days after he left in the ‘^Assaye
bound for Muscat. It was on account of all this that I cut off the monthly salary which
I used to allow Barghash. '
13. As to the El-Harth, after God had permitted them to be deluded, they repented of
their evil deeds, and came in a body to confess their faults, and to ask forgiveness. This
was granted, and they then vowed to be obedient to me, and to take part with me against
every opponent. At present they appear to be loyal, but God only knows what is in
their hearts.
14. After the departure of the “Assaye,” the French Commodore arrived, and requested
me to inform him of all tliat had taken place. I directed Suleiman bin Hamed to do this,
and he got Ahmed bin Naaman, the Secretary, to write the whole on a paper, and to take
it to the Commodore ; but I myself had no conversation with him on the subject.
15. I desire, however, to observe to his Lordship the Governor General, that my brother
Thoweynee has been the cause of all these troubles ; for he it was who violated the covenant,
annulled
