‘Précis of correspondence relating to Zanzibar affairs from 1856 to 1872. Prepared by Captain P D Henderson, attached to the Foreign Department’ [‎87v] (14/114)

Events preceding the arbitration by the Government of India-
6 Claims of Syed Thoweynee against Zanzibar .—It is now time to
examine at greater length the claim advanced by Syed Thoweynee of
sovereignty over Zanzibar, and his demand on Syed Majid for an annual sub-
sidy of dollars 40,000. The Bombay Government, when reporting the result
of Colonel Russell's mission to Syed Thoweynee, remarked in a letter of the
28th February, with reference to the claim put forward by the latter,
"It will just be necessary to ascertain what are His Highness s claims against Ins btother,
and how far they are supported or invalidated by the will of their late father, the Imam, and by
the traditions and customs of Arab Chiefs.
a Sved Thowevnee asserts his right of suzerainty over Zanzibar, and requires that his
brother shall pay him a yearly tribute or subsidy. This Government has not on its records an
authenticated copy of the late Imam's will, in the absence of which it is evident the Govern-
ment of India will not be able to arrive at a decision in the case ; tor, it the imam lelt Zanzibar
to hi* voun-er son subject to the payment of tribute to Muscat, the only points which will have
to be considered are the amount of this tribute, and the degree of subordination due by
Zanzibar to Muscat.
" If however on the other hand, the Imam bequeathed Zanzibar and his African terri
tories absolutely and in full sovereignty to Syed Majid, it may still be expedient to
enquire whether, according to Arab custom, he had a right to do so At first sight it
appears that if Zanzibar belonged to Muscat ab antiquo, the Imam had probably no right
to divide his dominions; but that if he acquired it by conquest, or purchase, or marriage,
he wos fully justified in disposing of it as might seem most expedient to him.
" But there is another question besides that of right which is involved in this enquiry,
viz., the power of Zanzibar to pay, and the power of Muscat to enforce payment. Zanzibar is
a thriving and rising port destined apparently to become the commercial emporium ol Eastern
Africa and to exert a very great influence over its future progress. Muscat, again, is a place ot
limited commercial capability ; but its geographical position, the superiority of the race by
which it is inhabited, and the occupation by its ruler of Bunder Abbass, Kishm, and other
Aaces in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , give it a certain political importance and render it probably more
than a match for Zanzibar. The British Government is interested in the prosperity of both
these places, and it cannot be indifferent to the growth of a friendly and comparatively
civilized Native power on the East Coast of Africa—a power which has shewn a most laudable
desire to discourage the slave trade, and to promote the development ot legitimate commerce.
At the same time it cannot be forgotten that the influence of Muscat in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. has
been uniformly exercised in furtherance of objects which the British Government has at heart,
viz., the suppression of piracy and of the slave trade, and the maintenance ot maritime peace.
It would have been a grievous mistake to allow Syed Thoweynee to exhaust his resources in an
attempt to re-annex Zanzibar to his dominions—an attempt which would probably have resulted
in a desperate struggle both at Zanzibar and Muscat; for, as stated in the 8rd paragraph of this
letter, another brother, Syed Toorkee, of Sohar, was watching his opportunity, and Was
preparing to attack Muscat in the absence of Syed Thoweynee."
With a view of clearing up the doubtful points in the discussion, and
putting the Supreme Government in possession of all the facts of the case,
the Bombay Government called upon Captain Eigby to submit an authenticat
ed copy of the late Imam's will, and a report showing the date and manner
of the acquisition of Zanzibar and the other African possessions of the late
Imam; also, information as to the custom of Arab Chiefs with regard to succes
sion and testamentary disposal of territory. The Bombay Government
proposed to adjust the quarrel on the basis that the ruler of Muscat should
abandon his pretensions of sovereignty on receiving an annual subsidy from
Syed Majid. The Government of India, on the 30th May 1859, expressed an
opinion that a settlement on this basis was desirable, the claims of Syed
Toorkee being included in the settlement ; but they considered, from the in
formation then before them, that the British Government could not put forward
the subsidy from Syed Majid as a right on Syed Thoweynee's part.
7. Captain Rigby's Report. Custom of Arab Chief with regard to
succession .—In April 1859 was received from Captain Rigby a full and clear
6