"الشيخ علي بن أحمد" [و‎‎٧] (٦٣٠/١٣)

sea, so long as I receive the support of the British Government in the
maintenance of the security of my own possessions against similar aggressions
directed against them by the chiefs and tribes oi this Gulf. • * * • *
(Enclosure 2.)
Precis.
In September 1895 some slaves owing to the presence of British Warships
Residency Agent's letter No. 149, dated 30th m the harbour took the opportunity to
September 1S95. apply for their freedom. A batch of six
slaves apparently prior to the 24th September took refuge either at the Agency
or on board H.M.S " Pigeon," and manumission papers from their respective
owners were obtained through the Chief of Bahrein and copies were sent to the
Bushire Residency, with a request for the usual-aKinumission papers signed by
the Resident.
In October two male and one female slaves also applied for freedom and
Residency Agent's letter No. IS 2 i dated 8th Were dealt With Similarly,
October 1895.
.
- On the closing of the pearling season in 1895, 31 slaves of both sexes took
Residency Agent's letter Nj . ifio, dated 28th refuge at the Agency and, as usual, manu-
October, page 13. mission papers were obtained for them
from their owners through Sheikh Esa.
Besides the above, three fugitive slaves from Katr took refuge at the
Senior n tvai Officer's letter of 30th October Agency and the Commander of the
'89s, pages 78 to 8a. «< pig e on " was asked to take them to
Bushire as they could not be dealt with at Bahrein. When reporting the matter
to the Resident the Commander suggested that it would save delay and
expense if slaves from the mainfond could be released under Article 28 of the
Brussels Have Trade Act when a man-of-war is present; later he reported that
a large number of slaves w^re taking refuge at the Agency, and stated that he
gathered from the Chiefs that most of the tribes possess considerable number of
slaves who are exceedingly well treated, paid, clothed and fed and, entrusted
with domestic arrangements, besides employed as pearl-divers, in fact treated
more like paid servants then slaves ; that the immediate release of all would
be a great hardship, liable to cause considerable discontent (as Arabs will not
undertake menial work) and would also disorganise the pearling industry. He
suggested that it would prevent discontent if emancipation were carried out by
degrees.
The Commander of the " Pigeon" further reported that he was told by Mr.
Gaskin that in consequence of the release of their slaves the Dowasir tribe con
templated leaving the island ; and was similarly informed by the Chiefs uncle, who
also explained that although up to date only three of the Dowasir slaves had been
released all the remainder, perhaps 200, would apply for freedom. The Com
mander impressed upon the uncle the foolishness of this step, laid stress on the
benefits accruing from their residence in Bahrein and the disavantages met with on
the mainland, and pointed out that before drastic measures were undertaken the
Resident would fully consider the matter and that they should rely on the
Resident's justice and judgment.
The slaves referred to in the letter were not released but were allowed to
..... „ return to their owners after obtaining; a
Vtde note in margin, pr .ge 84. . 1 1 • r 1 • r *
written undertaking trom their owners for
their future good treatment.
The Resident in reply to the Commander of H. M. S. " Pigeon " re-
Resideni's letter No. 587 17th November marked that it as not easy to come to
1895. pages 86 to 89. a decision as to any general practice to be
followed in all cases, the position as it exists was complicated with several difficul
ties, There was no undertaking on the part of Bahrein actually prohibiting
slavery, the fact that importation was abjured 40 years ago should have resulted
in existence of few domestic slaves, and the matter needed to be dealt with after
iurther consideration. He stated in the meantime no wholesale manumission
seemed expedient, or practically feasible, and the grant of freedom in cases of
proved recent importation or of evident ill-treatment would meet all immediate