'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎256] (431/524)

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\rt- XVI.-^w)^ on the Result of the Observations and Enquiries
" R made during a Tour in the various Countries around Zanzibar,
especially those more or less connected with the Slave hade. By
Lieutenant Colonel R. L. Playfair. Presented by Government.
[Read before the Society, 19th May 1804.]
j i )ave the honour to report for the information of His Excellency the
Governor in Council that, impressed with the importance of making
myself well acquainted with the various countries around Zanzibar,
especially those more or less connected with the slave trade, I left
Zanzibar on my projected tour on the 8 th of October.
• 2 . I had intended proceeding at once to the south in the “ Pleiad,”
but Commander Chapman, R. N., who purposed leaving on the same
day for Pemba, invited me to accompany him in H. M.’s S. “ Ariel.”
I o-ladlv availed myself of his kindness, and sent the “Pleiad” to await
my arrival at Ibo.
3 \v e anchored off Chak-Chak, the principal port of Pemba, on
the morning of the 9 th, and left on Sunday the 11 th. These two days
were occupied by the ship’s boats in searching the numerous creeks
and harbours for slave dhows, and by Captain Chapman and myself m
visiting the main and adjacent islands.
4 . Next to Zanzibar, Pemba is the most considerable island in the
dominions of His Highness Seyed Majid, and produces large quantities
of rice, manioc, fruits and vegetables. It is cut up in every direction
by creeks, which are much frequented by country craft engaged in the
slave trade ; while owing to the numerous reefs and shoals, and to the
imperfect survey of the island, they are quite impracticable tor vessels
of war ; no slaves were found on this occasion.
5 . It is more unhealthy than Zanzibar, and the mortality ltorn
fever is so great, that it is a question whether it could be kept under
cultivation were the supply of slave labor cut off.
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