'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎649] (693/733)

SLAVE TRADE.
649
Supposing that the trade in slaves with the ports on the Arabian
Coast since 1831, when an estimate was made by Major Wilson, then
Resident, has not materially altered, we shall have, in addition to the
above,—300 slaves to Bahrein; 30 to Ras-ool-Khyma; and supposing
100 more to the ports of Debaye, Amulgavine, Ejman, and Aboothabee ;
total 4o0; making a grand total of 3,488 annually received in Persia, and
five or six small towns of Arabia only.
Laige as this number may appear, it is allowed, with regret, that if
any eiroi has been made it has been on the side of detraction, and not
of exaggeration ; and it must be further remembered, that it does not
include the slaves brought to Muskat for sale on the spot, or for expor
tation, as before stated, to the ports of Sind, and even India.
The improved means of gaining information, and the greater earnest
ness with which the attention of the British Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. has been
directed to the traffic in slaves, would account for the apparent increase
in the numbei of individuals now annually imported when compared
with estimates of former years.
Afiican slaves imported, th^ number of males bears a pretty equal
proportion to that of the females.
Of Hubshees, the greater number are females, in the proportion, per
haps, of two to one.
The females are somewhat more valued than the males: a good
stout lass will sell for 35 or 40 dollars. The profit on the above at
Muskat is twenty per cent., and at Bussora and Bushire never less
than fifty per cent.
The Hubshee females are much prized for their beauty, and symme
try of figure ; their value from 60 to 200 dollars, or indeed to any
amount. The males also are much valued ; their price from 50 to 150
dollars, and upwards.
The slaves of either sex, whether Hubshee or African, of an age
exceeding twenty years, on their first sale, are of less comparative value,
from their being at that mature age less tractable, and taking less kindly
to the language, religion, and customs of their masters.
A tax, amounting to about half a dollar, is levied upon every slave at
the ports of Bussora, Bushire, Lingah, Bunder Abbas, and Muskat.
While every attempt is being made to confine and suppress the Slave
Trade in these and all other foreign quarters, it is worthy of remark, that
notwithstanding every precaution, and the risk of severe punishment,
Price of Africans at Zanzibar.
Boys from seven to ten years of age
Ditto ten to twenty ditto
Full grown men
7 to 15 dollars.
15 to 30 ,,
17 to 20 „