‘Précis of correspondence relating to Zanzibar affairs from 1856 to 1872. Prepared by Captain P D Henderson, attached to the Foreign Department’ [‎109v] (58/114)

50
Proceedings subsequent to the arbitration relating to the question of the subsidy
bv the visit of Colonel Pelly to Calcutta in possession of more complete information, we feel it
to be our duty to state to your Grace that our former views have been much strengthened
thereby.
«rfhe subsidy was intended as compensation to Muscat for the abandonment of valuable
claims in Zanzibar from which its revenues could be recruited. It is expressly so described in
the deed of arbitrament. The Muscat State is poor, and its resources have been so exhausted
by internal revolutions that, as already noted in paragraph 5 of this despatch, Azan bin ghes
has difficulty in raising money to defend himself from Wahabee invasion, and he naturally
looks to the subsidy to recruit his resources. The loss of this annual payment will be felt
not only bv the ruler of Muscat, but by the numerous subordinate Chiefs whose interests are
affected, and who look to it as the source from which their honorary presents from the
Sultan are defrayed, and from which they are enabled to meet the cost of the tribal forces ,
necessary for the defence of the State.
"The Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. informs us that every man amongst these Chiefs is
impressed with the idea that British faith and British honor are pledged to the punctual
payment of a subsidy, a portion of which they have long been in the habit of receiving, and
which has formed in many cases the only bond of union between them and the ruler of the
Muscat State.
« Though it is not within our province to offer any opinion upon the amount of success or
failure in the suppression of the traffic in slaves on the eastern coast of Africa which has
attended the proceedings of Her Majesty's squadron in those waters, we feel it our duty to
state that, having heard the views of those best qualified to give an opinion on the subject,
we are convinced that the release of the Zanzibar State from the payment of the Muscat
subsidy is not likely to have any perceptible influence in the extinction of the slave trade.
" We cannot, therefore, fail to look upon the cessation of this subsidy as a matter fraught
with danger to the permanence of the Muscat State. Our recognition of the de facto Govern
ment in Muscat will be of small value, and will be little appreciated if we are not prepared
to accompany it with the assurance that we intend to maintain the same position with regard
to Azan bin ghes as with former rulers, and that the payment of the Zanzibar subsidy, so
essential to the maintenance of a settled Government, will be continued. We can conceive
nothing more detrimental to our good name, more damaging to our legitimate influence in
Oman, or more likely to encourage a resort to force and violence in the settlement of the
quarrels that are constantly arising in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , than a declaration that we are
prepared to countenance the Sultan of Zanzibar in the evasion of the just demands of the
Mascat State."
49. Opinion of Government of India on recommendations of the
Slave Trade Committee .—In February 1870 the Report of the Slave Trade
Commissioii (dated 24ith January 1870) that had been recently sitting in Eng
land was forwarded to the Government of India, whose opinion on the subject
was called for. The Commission had suggested that any loss of revenue
resulting from measures which the Sultan may be moved to adopt for the
suppression of the slave trade should be made good to him from the subsidy
payable to the Muscat State. On this point the Government of India
observed.— (Despatch No. 29, dated lOthMayY&lO)—
" The question of the Zanzibar subsidy has no connection with that of the slave trade,
and in our opinion the discussion of the two questions ought to be kept quite separate and
distinct. The subsidy is a matter of international agreement, in which the name and good
faith of the British (lovernment are intimately concerned, and in which important interests to
Oman and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. are involved. The question, whether the Sultan of Zanzibar can be
relieved from the payment of it, ought to be discussed solely with vide paragraph 48 reference to
the considerations set forth in our Secret despatch No. 17, dated 22nd February. Little loss of
revenue will probably be caused to Zanzibar if, as suggested by the Commission in paragraph
1 7, the cessation of the export of slaves be effected gradually. If, however, any compensation
to the Sultan be deemed necessary, we are of opinion that it cannot with justice or propriety
be provided by cancelling the obligation of the Zanzibar State to pay the subsidy to Muscat/'