'Précis on slave trade in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, 1873-1905 (With a Retrospect into previous history from 1852) By J A Saldanha BA, LL B' [‎66] (74/126)

66
their former opinion, though they were still unable to assent to the proposal of
the Government of India that this opinion should—
" {a) only ap}>ly to such ships as being technically on the high seas are nevertheless
practically brought into close contact with the owners of domestic slaves ; (b) that it should
not apply to ships riding in the territorial waters of a free country except in a similar con
tingency."
139. They said that as a general principle slaves should not be misled into
the belief that they would find their liberty by getting under the British flacr or
induced by the presence of a British ship to leave their own ships, if at sea or
their employment if on shore.
With re g ard to the remaining provisions suggested by the Government
ot India, the law officers considered that as they appeared to have reference to
cases m which treaties exist they might be adopted, but that here also some
discretion should be vested in commanding officers to enable them to deal
with exceptional cases.
141. As a result of further discussion, which it is not necessary to dilate upon
Secref, April 1876, Nos. 10-14. here, the following rules were issued by the
I'arliaa.enUry Blue Book, Slave Trads No. 5 Admiralty, with the approval of the Foreicrn
ceedings. ^ ? ' ■ Iro " Office, London (Lord Tenderden to the
A., Political e., 1882, Nos. 399-305. Admiralty dated 10th August 1876^ res
pecting reception of fugitive slaves on board Her Majesty's ships
Reception of fugitive slaves.
TO ~ A ' 1 Ships^d vi n sds hief ' Captains ' Commsndersand Commanding Officers of Her Majesty's
a S toThe receipt'of ^ 35 ^ instructions
undeMhe^rXt^o^^ b^Tth^ "t
on thl groinid'of stve^ adrait " entertain any demaBd made "P™ ^
effect gi^en to them' Wp theSe must have fail
of the lea state in which slavery^exists f but iiTthif kttercase^ouffht t ^.^ rr ' tor ' a |, waters
conduct «Wch may appear to be in breach of internatfonal c^Vnd gr/faiir' ^
is keptln^slaTe^^OTtrary'to'treaUerwit^Great'Br't' 1 '' P 1 ^ 01 ' 0 '' 011 ° n the ground that he
truth of his statement is examined into This L ain ' you should receive him until the
after communication with the nearest Rritisb C,. a t minat '° n should be made, if possible,
in your subsequent proceed.^rby tl 1 e res u i;. COnSUUr aUthor,ty ' and y ou should ^ g-ded
shi/ SPeCial rep0rt iS t0 be m a ^ of every case of fugitive slave received on board your
^ent'onnd^a'for^the'guidaM^of 6 Officers 6 CoZa^dbTv'eTse"! of "jhe
Marine in respect of fugitive coming on hnarrl ti? f vessels ot the Indian
^ u^iuve coming on board. Ihe rules were not at the time
External a., April 1892. Nos. 20-31. communicated to the Foreign Department
m .ke colteta „„,. d i. , h= °° 1 ' " ,89 '
marine circular .
No. 7.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
Military (Marine) Departmint;
Simla, the 3rd June 1884.
The following instructions to Commanders of ,ndian Government vessels in regard to