'Further Papers respecting the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa and the System Pursued for its Suppression' [‎85r] (37/50)

ST
5. As to Persons and Property found on hoard the Vessel.—{Articles 66, 67, 77, and 78.)
These Articles prescribe that, wherever practicable, all persons and things found on
board the vessels shall be sent with as little delay as possible to the port of adjudication,
and if possible in the vessel herself.
Nothing short of necessity will justify any officer in landing any such persons on the
coast at random near the place of capture, or in taking them to any port other than the
port of adjudication.
Their Lordships regret to be obliged to remind naval officers of this simple duty so
clearly imposed upon them, and to have to state that the purpose of taking the captured
vessel to the proper port of adjudication is not to procure, as a matter of form, a decree
of condemnation, but to obtain a full and fair trial of the case, at which trial those concerned
in the property may have all reasonable facilities to defend their interests.
6. As to reporting Captures. {Articles 48, 49.)
Officers commanding Her Majesty's ships are required by these Articles to furnish a
detailed report of every capture, and especially of any circumstances which may have
induced them to depart from the appointed course of conduct.
In conclusion, their Lordships are most anxious to assist and protect officers in the
right performance of their duties in suppressing the Slave Trade, but they must warn all
such officers that, if they transgress the instructions on this subject, they will fall under
their Lordships' serious displeasure; they will also be liable to be called upon to pay
heavy costs and damages.
No. 15.
The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Otway.—(Received September 28.)
Sir, Admiralty, September 27, 1869.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you,
for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, the accompanying copy of a letter from
Commander Sulivan, of Her Majesty's ship " Daphne," reporting the capture of a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean.
on the 16th of May last, with fifty-two slaves on board.
I am, &c.
(Signed) JOHN HENRY BRIGGS.
Inclosure in No. 15.
Commander Sulivan to Commodore Sir L. Heath.
Sir, "Daphne" Seychelles, June 6, 1869.
I BEG to report that after leaving Aden on the 11th of May T returned off Maculla
and from there steering eastward chased and boarded several dhows; but finding to the
eastward of the longitude of G-uardafui that the monsoon had evidently set in, I shaped
a course for Seychelles, capturing a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. on the 16th May with fifty-two slaves on board
between Socotra and the mainland.
I landed the crew at their request on the east end of Socotra, and arrived here on
the 6th instant where we landed the slaves.
We experienced severe squally weather on the passage. We leave this to-day for
Zanzibar.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. L. SULIVAN.
No. 16.
Mr. Briggs to Mr. Otway.—{Received September 29.)
Sir, Admiralty, September 28, 1869.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit
herewith, for the information of Earl Clarendon, a copy of a letter from the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
[410] L