'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' [‎92] (100/126)

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on slavery. In the case of Persia we were only authorised to remove the
slaves, infliction of punishment resting with the Persian authorites, and, finally,
when dealing with vessels of the Ottoman Porte, the slaves only could we liberate,
the slavers we must He put to the trouble of " conducting to their destination."
The equipment necessary for ships to be employed on slave service was
pointed out by Captain Kemball, and reference was made to suggestions pre
viously submtted by Colonel Hennell regarding their location " between certain
limits."
15. The continued importation of slaves into Persian ports, notwithstand
ing the convention so lately concluded, was brought to the notice of Her Majesty's
0 . , . , Minister at Tehran, and resulted in the
despatch from Colonel (now Sir Justin) Sneil ti.L n**
to Captain Kembaii, dated December io , 1852, Ministers of the Persian Government
submitted to Government by latter officer in his consenting tO avail themselves of the aid of
communication No. 5 of January n, 1853. r» ui /-• > 1 r
the honourable Company s vessels or war in
bringing to an account Chiefs of the ports into which slaves had been imported.
16. Such were the measures adopted by the Resident in 1853. The
Bombay Government, on receiving intelligence of the appalling extent to which
slavery was carried on in the Gulf, addressed the Commodore Commander-in-
Chief of the Indian Navy, and, feeling most anxious to check the inhuman
traffic, solicited his opinion as to the arrangements fitting to be made for the
interception of slavers during the ensuing season. Sir Henry Leeke in reply
fitie letter from Captain Sir h. j. leeke, r.n., stated that he considered the squadron
® tc ;' t0 J th® Honourable Lord viscount i n Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. should at the proper
Falkland, dated October 7, 1852, forwarded to . L rr • i • r 1 n r
Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , by Mr. Secretary Malet in tim6 DG SUrllClGntly reintorCCQ to 3.110W Ol 3,
his communication No. 5322 of December 1852. strict Watch being kept off the Coast beloW
Maskat upon all native vessels entering the Gulf "—
<f To enable this to be done, the Constance, at present in Bombay, should be repaired
and sent to the Gulf whenever she may be ready, and should a steam frigate, or the
Medusa, be available for the service, when the proper season arrives, say in August next,
she might also be sent up.
"Beyond the above it did not occur to him that anything could be done to suppress
the slave trade which he was informed was carried on in small country vessels of such
light draft of water as to admit of their passing up in shore out of sight of the men-of-war,
however close they might hug the land,
a In addition to this the officers commanding vessels in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. were much
Vide Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Selection No. XXIV, 1856, puzzled to know the slaves from the crew of the
page 652— vessels, and the constant fear of having a heavy
demurrage to pay lor false detention very natural-
be entered on board as sailors and the difficulty of v deterred them from making a seizure,
making the distinction unless the individuals would
themselves come forward and assert their natural
rights."
17. These suggestions were approved of by Government, but, from the
pre-occupation of the ships of war of the Indian Navy, it appears to have been
found impracticable to spare in time the reinforcement required for slave service,
and the vigilance necessary to stay slave dealings could not be exercised during
the season 1853. I. his led Captain Kemball to report fresh importations of
human cargoes into the ports of Oman, and to submit the necessity for more
vessels. Captain Kemball wrote thus—
"Could an effective system of watch and cruize be maintained on the Zanzibar and
Vide Captain Kemball's letter to Mr. Secretary Batinah coasts, I would confidently predict the
Malet, No. 58 of July 20, 1853. entire cessation of the slave trade in the Persian
Gulf in the course of two or three years. As yet the force annually employed on.this service
has been limited to one small vessel, spared with difficulty, and for a limited period only,
from the Gulf." v J'
18. In August 1853 the Honourable Company's steam vessel Queen was de
puted by Government to search for slaves, but had scarcely commenced her
labours when she was recalled, being required for other purposes. No continued
active measures could therefore be taken to repress slave trade, and the traffic
Continued.