'The Slave Trade of East Africa.' [‎81] (90/108)

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that coast of British power, in some form, as an auxiliary-
measure, interposing free British soil between the slaver and
the slave, as was done by the formation of Sierra Leone
and the capture of Lagos.
Among the despatches published for Parliament before the
new Treaty was obtained, is a letter from.Commander Tucker,
from which it appears that the traders, in order to elude the
cruisers, have established a caravan route overland from Lamoo
to Brava, a port about four degrees north.
Dr. Kirk reports that during the month of May, and the first
twelve days of June, 1871, 2,804 slaves had been shipped
north to go by this route, and explains the establishment of a
new settlement at Kismayo, under the flag of the Sultan.
"In former years, whilst feuds existed "between the Somalia to the
north and the Gallas to the south of the Eiver Juba, it was a difficult
matter to take slaves hy land from Lamoo to Brava, Mogdeesha, and
"Worsheikli, Somali ports known liere under the name of the iienadii,
and, in consequence, many captures were made at sea. .
"The investigation that followed on the case to which Admiral
Cockburn called my attention showed that this difficulty has been
overcome, and that now the land route is open, and one more obstacle
thrown in the way of our stopping this traffic.
" The new Somali settlement, under an Arab Governor, at Cape Eissell,
known by the natives as Kismayo, and the expulsion of the Grallas that
followed, has been the means of opening the land route from Lamoo to
the Somali ports, advantage of which has already been taken by the
" Even then (i. e., with a coast blockade) we will find an organized
land traffic spring up along the coast, that without the intervention of
a free settlement to break the line will almost defy our best
endeavours.''
He also says, writing on the 4th April, 1871—
'' I should have had some hesitation in ordering the destruction of this
vessel had it not been notorious how active are the preparations tor the
slave-trade this season, and how utterly powerless the Sultan is to
prevent the system of kidnapping and secret slave dealing that
is carried on by and for the northern Arabs. , . ,
u No one more readily acknowledges this than his Highness ; but he
knows that his officers are all open to bribes, and althoxighhe can ma
measure throw difficulties in the way of their leaving the harbour he
has no power to stop the_ transport of siaves in small lots to other
places on the coast, at which the slave dhows call.