'Papers Respecting the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa and the System Pursued for its Suppression' [‎33r] (5/72)

their slaves from Zanzibar, than when they embark them from the coasts of the main
land.
It is evident, therefore, that if effective measures are to be taken for the suppression
of the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa, it will be necessary to put a stop to the
carriage of slaves coastwise from one part of the Sultan's dominions to another, and also
to limit the number of slaves into Zanzibar, with the view, if possible, eventually to put a
stop to the importation entirely.
But it cannot be expected that Sultan Majid will make the requisite concessions in
this matter, unless some means are found to compensate him for the diminished income
which must necessarily be the consequence of his losing the capitation tax on slaves
introduced into Zanzibar.
This loss would, however, in a great measure, be made up to him if he were not
compelled to pay the subsidy of 40,000 dollars annually to the Sultan of Muscat; and
considering the conduct and character of that Chief, Lord Stanley is of opinion that Her
Majesty's Government would be perfectly justified in declining to use their influence to
compel Sultan Majid to continue the payment of this subsidy, and more especially as the
Sultan of Muscat has not kept his Treaty engagements with us for the suppression of
the Slave Trade, his own vessels having been captured by British cruizers engaged in the
Iramc in Slaves.
CSigned)
I am, &c.
E. C. EGERTON.
No. 3.
Mr. Egerton to Mr. Merivale.
Sir ' \TiT T nptLT r ! Foreign Office, January 30, 1868.
WliH reference to your letter of the 6th June, I am directed by Lord Stanlev to
transmit to you, for the information of Sir Stafford Northcote, copv of a desnatch from
Her Majesty s Consul at Zanzibar, suggesting that the Order of the Star of India should
be conferred upon the Sultan of Zanzibar as a mark of the Queen's approbation of His
* • c o n duct towards distressed British seamen, and of other praiseworthy acts for
which it had already been decided to make him a suitable present; and I am to request
that you will move Sir Stafford Northcote to favour Lord Stanley with his opinion upon
this suggestion of Consul Churchill.
I am, &c.
(Signed) E. C. EGERTON.
Ko. 4.
Mr. Merivale to Mr. Egerton.—{Received February 21.)
^ wt^TH ^ . .. n i . Indio February 20, 1868. ^
VIIH reference to your letter of the 8th ultimo, I am directed by Sir Stafford '
Northcote to state, for the information of Lord Stanley, that the whole question of British
relations with the Chiefs of Zanzibar and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. has, during the last month
been under his deliberate consideration in Council, and that, adverting to your letter now
under reply he has addressed a despatch to the Government of India (a copy of which is
inclosed) calling for the opinion of the chief Indian authority with respect to certain
matters connected with the present question, regarding which more accurate information
must exist in India than in this country.
« T.^ik lth reSV ^ t0 *; he s P ecific question contained in your letter of the 8th ultimo,
whether apart from the consideration that the Treaty, which stipulates for the payment
of the Zanzibar subsidy (to Muscat) was negotiated under the auspices of the Indian
Government, there are any Indian interests involved in the political relations between
Zanzibar and Muscat, which render it advisable for the British Government to require the
Sultan of Zanzibar to continue to pay the " subsidy," Sir Stafford Northcote observes that
on this point he will doubtless receive a full exposition of the views of his Excellency the
Wroy. In the meanwhile, I am directed to forward the accompanying papers recentlv
received from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , in which it will be seen that the non -payment of
C