'Correspondence relating to the appointment of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere's mission to Zanzibar, Nov 1872' [‎1v] (2/6)

Earl Granville to Sir Bartle Frere.
(iNo
Sir.
1 .
■ . Foreign Office, November 9, 1872.
PHE experience ol the last few years having conclusively proved that the existino-
Treaty engagements between Her Majesty and the Sultan of Zanzibar for the suppression
of the export trade in slaves from His Highness’ Dominions on the east coast of Africa,
do not suffice for the attainment of the object for which those engagements were framed'
and Her Majesty’s Government having determined to spare no effort to put a stop to
this traffic, I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty the Queen, having entire confidence
in your zeal and ability, has determined to avail herself of your great experience in
Eastern affairs, and to accredit you as her Special Envoy to the Sultans of Zanzibar and
Muscat, and to confer upon you full powers under the Great Seal as herewith inclosed to
enter into negotiations, and to conclude Treaties with those Chiefs and with any others
with whom it may be desirable to contract engagements for the suppression of the East
African Slave Trade.
I have accordingly to request that you will hold yourself in readiness to proceed to
Zanzibar and Muscat in a vessel of the Royal Navy, which, at the instance of the Lords
of the Admiralty will be directed to convey you and your suite to the places which, in
pursuance of tlm objects of your Mission, it may be necessary that you should visit.
On your arrival at Zanzibar and Muscat, having obtained an interview with the
Rulers ot those States, you will deliver the letters from Her Majesty accrediting you.
which I inclose.
In the case of the Sultan of Zanzibar you will impress upon His Highness the
extreme disappointment of Her Majesty’s Government at the want of efficient execution
°f the provisions of his existing Treaty engagements. You will explain to His Highness
that this evasion of his Treaty obligations can no no longer be tolerated by Her
Majesty’s Government, and they call upon him to co-operate with them in framing
arrangements which shall effectually put a stop to the exportation of slaves from his
Dominions on the East Coast of Africa.
As regards the Sultan of Muscat you will explain to His Highness that he is bound
by the Treaty engagements contracted by his predecessors to prevent the importation of
slaves from the African Coast into his territories; and you will give His Highness
distinctly to understand in firm, but conciliatory language, that Her Majesty’s Govern
ment have determined to suppress the East African traffic in slaves, and that they must
hold him responsible for a punctual fulfilment of his Treaty obligations.
Should you find the Ruler of either State willing to promise co-operation in this
work of suppression, you are empowered to obtain such modification of existing Treaties
and engagements as you may, after careful deliberation and consultation with the British
Agents on the spot, find necessary.
Your object should be to enable our Consular and Naval officers to give full effect
^ ^ ns ^ rilc ^ ons °f Her Majesty’s Government for the ultimate effectual suppression of
the Slave Trade along the whole of the East African, Arabian, and Persian coasts, and of
the public sale of imported slaves within the Dominions of Zanzibar and Muscat.
n 16 even ^ your finding that it will facilitate your negotiations with the Sultan
or Zanzibar to relieve His Highness from the obligation to pay to Muscat the subsidy of
40,000 crowns,_ under the Award approved by Lord Canning in April 1861, you are
authorized to give to the Sultan such assurances as may satisfy him that the payment of
tie subsidy will not be enforced against him, provided he consents to enter into the
engagements which you will propose to him for the more effectual suppression of the East
African Slave Traffic ; and, so long as he faithfully and, to the best of his power,
performs all his Treaty obligations and other engagements with Her Majesty’s Govern-
merit, it being emphatically impressed upon the Sultan that, in the event of the slightest
mtraction of any of the engagements or stipulations into which he may enter with the
. rj . lb . 1 Government, all obligations on our part to continue the payment of the amount
nil absolutely cease, and the conditions which were enjoined by the Award of 1861 will
be reverted to and strictly enforced.
^. ie ( f^ 1 1 er y° u are empowered, on similar conditions, to give similar assur
ances o re Rulei of Muscat that the amount to which he may be entitled under the
a oiesai An aid vvill be regularly paid to him from Her Majesty’s Treasury, Bombay.
, n avm 8 cariiea out these instructions, and fully informed 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. ,
an ovemment o. India of all that you have done, you will at once return to England
and report to Her Majesty’s Government the performance of your Mission.