'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' [‎69] (77/126)

69
CHAPTER VIII.
Grant of protection to runaway slaves on the coast.
(i) Giving protection to runaway slaves at neval depots on the Coast.
147. In May 1887 awomanfrom Kilwa. who appears to have been sold to
external a ., October 1887, Nos. 278-293. ^ Arab residing a few miles from Ras-
c ' "t", 0 ' "T 8 " <£5 asyssss
..d Sn,ll, „„i.d Mato "ILTe'lSibSS""' ""
(Captain' ffissin^thaTif f 6 " 1 ' Ma ? ka ''. wrote to the Commander of the Osfrev
that officers onfhorp it • CaSe lm P ro P erl y given and suggested
mat othcers on shore be cautioned against extending protection to fu^itive^
applying to them as being ont of their province to do so Td certain to Sse
armed ^3^03^8 sh^iM 3 ' ^K 0 ? 61 R °i SS agreedin this opinion, and added that
M^skat Ixceorwlh thl if ^ ter "t or y belonging to the Sultan of
Maskat! knowledge and consent of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at
I49 - Th e Government of India in writing to the Rear-Admiral expressed
concurrence in Colonel Ross s opinion (No. 1188, dated 6th September 1887).
External a., March 1888, Nos. 57-61. i 5 0. The Naval Commander-in-Chief,
however, explained that—
b!ockade [t ha9 been usu al for boats taking inland
rrHecure harbours!^ POtS and rendeZV0US at P rinci P a l head lands, where there
^ re Pl v » ^ ^ as pointed out that the Resident was aware that the3e
camps had been occasionally formed on shore during the previous two years and
that it was not intended to interfere with the establishment of such depots in
connection with boat^cruising or as a part of the precautionary measures neces-
sa u 7 , to J 3re T y en . t , t 6 im P or tation or landing of slaves, but that the objection to
which the Resident had pointed out had especial reference to the grant of pro
tection to fugitives at the depots, without the cognisance of the Sultan and the
political authorities (No. 31, dated 9th January 1888).
(n) Practice at Maskat and on the Arab Coast as regards runaway slaves taking
refuge at the agencies or residencies.
1 51 • A question was put in the House of Commons in August 1897 in regard
Secret E., June 1898, Nos. 279-293. to an a ^eged practice of surrendering to
Secret E., May 1899. Nos. 116-128. owners runaway slaves at Aden and Mas
kat. 1 he Government of India was asked
to report on the subject.
I 52. The practice followed at the Arab Coast, Bushire and at Maskat
appears from the reports of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Maskat and the Resident at
Bushire to have been as follows :—
" Slaves imported to the Arab Coast and Bahrein subsequent to[the dates of the agree-
, Bahrein. ments noted in the margin, with the various
f Ras-ul-khimah. Sheikhs, are given manumission certificates on
* \ Shargah. taking refuge at the British Agencies. Slaves
4 Deba 1 '^ 0Wa ' n ' wl1 . 0 were boni in slaver y» or who were imported
5. Ajman'. P r ^ or to the execution of the agreements witn
6. Abu Thabi. the Sheikhs, are returned to their masters. The
Agreements-- , practice in Bahrein in regard to such slaves has,
however, been to make the masters sign papers
with all the Chiefs—'fjcte Aitchison's Treaties, Vol" agreeing to treat them kindly if returned, with
u me X, pages 133.134 and 117-118. the condition that they will be liable to be re
leased if it is found that they are being badly treated.
Slaves taking refuge on board men-of-war are released under Article XXVIII of the
General Act of the Brussels Conference.
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