'Slave-dealing and Slave-holding by Kutchees in Zanzibar' [‎129r] (46/63)

43
2. His Highness the Rao informs me that he is prepared to adopt any measures
in his power that may appear to Government likely to be effective in the sup
pression of this odious traffic.
3. He does not seem to have been aware of the circumstances which the cor
respondence forwarded to me brings to light. So far as his jurisdiction extends,
he has hitherto maintained his engagements
* Fide Government Resolutions, No. 3231, on this subject, as, for instance, on a late
dated 29th October 1866, and No. 1511, occasion, when an attempt to introduce
dated 29th Apnl 1867. some slaves was made by an Aden-Kutchee
merchant, they were detained and placed at once at my disposal,*
4. He has, of course, no jurisdiction over theKutchees while living in Zanzibar
and, properly speaking, no jurisdiction over them for acts done there, although
I doubt not that, if required, unfettered by law as he is, he would proceed against
any Kutch subject, accused of this traffic, on coming within his jurisdiction, or
revisiting Kutch, but this process would be so cumbrous, from the difficulty ot
getting satisfactory proof, as to render it inoperative.
5. Should it meet with the approval of Government, I would suggest that His
Highness should write to his subjects in Zanzibar, to be forwarded, through
Government, to the Consul, informing them that this trade is forbidden by th
laws of Kutch, and that any one engaged in it will, so far as hl s juri 8 dict on
extends be subiect to penalties, and in no case will any claim for compensation
be entertained on account of loss sustained from the liberation of slaves, or any
other cause.
6 But it appears tome that the real difficulty lies at Zanzibar, and that it
will not be removed till Government resumes its authority as Paramount Power
over the subjects of its tributaries, who never scruple to claim its protection when
in difficulty.
7 In my Letter, No. 63, dated 21st July 1865 I stated my opinion ^ regard
to the British Consular iurisdiction over His Highness s subjects living at Muscat,
(Signed) A. Y. Shortt,
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. , Kutch.
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. 's Office, Bhooj,
1st February 1869.
No. 2,
No. 605.
Political Department,
Bombay Castle, 22d February 1869.
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. in Kutcb, No '*?! N osl 3406 and 3643 of 1868,
States, in reply to ^ ^ feo is prepared to adopt
and 146 of 16th JanuaryiSOO that His Government likely t0 b e effective
STn^l ofC^ous traffic in .laves carried on by natives of Kntch
Zanzibar.