‘File 5/188 I, 189 I Expenses incurred as a result of slaves taking refuge in consulates and agencies; manumission of slaves and general treatment of slave trade cases’ [‎4v] (19/316)

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however, to doubt the propriety of treating these charges as connected
with the suppression of the slave trade and as arising directly ont of
the fact that His Majesty's Government have, in pursuance of their
declared policy in this matter, caused a large number of treaty engage
ments with this object to be entered into in times past with the local
\ Chiefs on the coasts of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . {Vide Aitchison's " Treaties,"
&c., A'ol. XIL, under heading ''Slave Trade " in Index.)
At the same time His Lordship is aware that the total annual
amounts of these charges are comparatively small and that their special
treatment entails some labour and inconvenience. He would, therefore,
be prepared, while reserving his right to revert to the present system in
the event of the total charges rising at any time above, say, 2001. a year,
to include the amounts in future in the ordinary accounts of the
Consulates and Agencies, and to claim each year a moiety only from
British revenues, in the annual settlement of diplomatic and consular
expenditure I am to enquire whether the Lords Commissioners will
agree to this procedure, and to add that a copy of this letter, together
with that to which it is a reply, is being communicated to the Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs.
In the event of the Lords Commissioners' concurrence I am to
suggest that the sum of SI. 15.s. lOd already claimed, together with a
further sum of 211. 6 .9. lid., in respect of which vouchers and a
receivable order are now for the first time forwarded, be transferred
to the credit of the Secretary of State in Council of India at the Bank of
England.
I am, &c ,
The Secretary, Treasury. R. Ritchie.
Enclosure Ko. 4.
Treasury to India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .
No. 10,507. Treasury Chambers,
Sir, 13th June 1912.
I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's
Treasury your letter of the 20th ultimo (P. 860), on the subject of claims
preferred on this Department by the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. for expenses incurred
in connection with the suppression of the slave trade.
In reply 1 am to request you to inform the Secretary of State for
India in Council that My Lords agree to the procedure now suggested
for future cases ot; this kind, viz., jjiat the Secretary of State, while
reserving his right to revert to the present system in the event of
tEe total charges rising at any time abo ve, say, 200L a year, should
include the amounts in the ordinary accourTfs of Hie Consulates and
Agencies, and should claim each year a rffoiefy only from British
revenues in the annual settlement of diplomatic and consular
expenditure.
As regards the claims submitted with your letter of the 20th
February last (P. 526) and the letter under reply, 1 am to state that My
Lords have given directions for the amount involved, viz., oOL 2s. 9d. y
to be transferred to the credit of the Secretary of State at the Bank of
England.
A copy of this letter is being communicated to the Foreign Office.
I am, &c.,
The Under Secretary of State Robert Chalmers.
for India.