'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' [‎102] (110/126)

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recover them proved unsuccessful. In the end, however, Hajee Yacoob, from being
incessantly on their track, succeeded in
discovering* them, and caused the Joasmee
of March 8,1859, to Mr. Secretary Anderson. authorities to deliver them into his hands.
The activity displayed by Hajee Yacoob in slave matters, as well as
in other duties confided to him, having attracted special notice, formed the
' Vide No. 16, January 4, 1859. subject, we may here observe of a corres-
From Mr, Secretary Anderson to Political pondence with Her Majesty's Government
March 8^ ^g^' olit ' cal aeiident's reply No . 67 of of Bombay, and led to the presentation of
a gold watch to him as a mark of the Gov-
ernment approbation of his services.
7. The above constitute the bulk of the seizures and surrenders.
There remain cases of capture by the vessels of Her Majesty's Indian
Naval Squadron. Before, however, entering on the details of these, we
purpose placing on record a few observations submitted by Commodore Jenkins
in respect to the human beings whose liberation we have just particularized, and
disposing of a case rather delicate in its character that occurred at Bahrein
Island.
8. Commodore Jenkins, whilst forwarding a report on the subject of slaves
in the depot at Bassidore, remarked on the diversity of age of these unfortunates
the range exhibiting extreme tenderness of years among the youngest and
when we consider they were slaves destined for the market, a highly advanced
stage of life among the oldest.
9. He tells us " the slaves were of all ages, the youngest being about four
No. 130 of November s, 1858. oldest about sixty." He further
From Commodore Jenkins C.B., to Captain informs US that with the exception of OUP
Felix Jones, forwarded fay letter to Mr. Secretary olaTm U" 4.
Anderson in his despatch 411 of November! 8,1858. iem aie Slave, WflOSe history WC are about
1 , 1 rt t t0 re ^ at:e » a a ll requested to be sent to Bom-
bay, and as several of both sexes were very young, he would wish the special atten-
tion of Government to be called to their education."
In another portion of the same despatch he writes—" it appears the Arabs
trading from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to Berbera and Zanzibar have during the last two
years been more active and vicious in forcibly stealing African children and
women than at any period and their conduct calls fer the serious consideration of
our Government.
* . * . * O ne of the female slaves made a most heart-rend
ing appeal to me on my visiting the depot, soliciting that in mercy we would
send her again to the port of Berbera, which is her country, and from which
S " 0l "
She stated her husband and young child were with her at Berbera : that the
Arabs over-powered her suddenly and placed her in a boat, and made her their
slave ; that she has heard much of the great power of the British Government and
of our possessing Aden and therefore prays to be restored to her own people who
will all appreciate the act, and as I feel that this poor exile's appeal will be so
easily complied with and may prove very beneficial to our influence on her return
to her native land, I beg to recommend it to your consideration and that of the
Government, and that she should be sent from Bombay to Aden in the mail
steamer, and from Aden to Berbera in a vessel of war.
. IO ; l Tl i 1US wrote Commodore Jenkins. It is unnecessary to load the pase
with details. It will be sufficient to say that " the Senior Magistrate of Polife
paragraph 4 of Mr. Secretary Anderson 's Bombay WaS instructed to Send the
Pohtic N .rkeL^t, 5 pi;LnuS Felix J 0 ** '• N - Somali female slave to Aden, and the Poli-
/ j ri i „ ca ^ ^ esi dent of that station requested to
forward her on to Berbera with all due precautions