Zanzibar Affairs [‎145r] (5/10)

VII.—That the Kutchees and other natives of Indian States under British
protection shall he forbidden, after a date to be fixed by the Government of
India, to possess slaves, and that in the meantime they shall be prevented from
acquiring or purchasing any fresh slaves.
Lastly, the treaty should contain a stipulation providing for the eventual
entire prohibition of the export of slaves from the mainland.
You will perceive that these proposals embrace the most important recom
mendations of the committee with which I can deal without the assistance of
, other departments of Her Majesty’s Government. . The questions as to the
number and distribution of the naval force, the selection of better interpre
ters, the re-arrangement of the courts for the adjudication of prizes, the dis
posal of the prizes and the liberated slaves, and the future administrative
arran« , ements at Zanzibar and elsewhere must remain open until I have
received the further information which I have sought upon these points; hut I
must observe that there is one suggestion of the committee which I. cannot
concur in, namely, that the Sultan should he urged to authorize the seizure of
all vessels, whatever be their nationality, engaged in the slave trade within the
waters of his dominions. It is doubtless probable that the privilege of exemp
tion from search enjoyed by the Trench flag is often abused for slave trade
purposes ; but I do not think that this would justify Her Majesty’s Government
in urging the Sultan to adopt an extreme measure which might involve him and
them^in a serious dispute with a friendly power. I have therefore only thought
it necessary to call the serious attention of the French Government to the
reports from our naval officers as to the alleged frequent abuse of the French
flag for slave trade purposes, and the French Government, while stating that
they doubt the accuracy of the report, have promised that due care shall he
taken in the issue of French papers to Arab vessels.
The Sultan will probably enquire what Her Majesty’s Government can offer
in return for the concessions which they ask him to make, you may inform him
that instructions have already been sent to the commanders of Her Majesty’s
cruizers which will entirely prevent, except in very exceptional cases, the des
truction of dhows at the time of their capture, and that every facility will in
future he given for a fair and impartial trial of the captured vessels and for the
presence at the trial of the interested parties and witnesses.
You will also inform His Highness that you are authorized to enquire into
any claims that he or his subjects may have to make on account of vessels
improperly captured, and that in any case where such a claim shall he duly sub
stantiated, or an arbitrary or unjustifiable act can be proved, proper compensa
tion shall be made for the loss sustained.
It is also my desire to promote the supply of free labour in Zanzibar, by
sending most of ‘the liberated slaves there and placing them under the jurisdic
tion of the Sultan, after they have been registered at the British Consulate, on
the understanding, however, that His Highness will undertake to afford them
efficient protection against the slave dealers, and will prevent their again
becoming slaves.
You will let the Sultan understand that these concessions on our part are
onlv prompted by justice, and are not offered as a bargain to purchase his
assistance "in performing a duty dictated by humanity, and I wish you to sound
His Highness on the points to which I have referred, and to report to me his
views thereupon.
' The question of the remission of the subsidy which the Sultan now pays
to the ruler of Muscat, is one on which His Highness will probably lay great
stress. You are aware that in view of the altered state of things w nc i ias
arisen from the recent revolutions at Muscat, Her Majesty s Governmen iavG
had for some time under their consideration the justice and expediency from
releasing the Sultan from the obligation to continue this payment, and you may
on your return to Zanzibar intimate to His Highness that you have a we
grounded expectation that at no distant period you will receive forma m ® 1 [^ c
tions from the Government of India to announce to the Sultan that the
arrangements existing under the arbitration of 1861 are at an end.
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