'Papers Respecting the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa and the System Pursued for its Suppression' [‎32v] (4/72)

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territories would doubtless be considerably augmented, and the Slave Markets in Madagas
car, the Comoro Isles, and elsewhere, receive a great stimulus.
Foreign Office, December 8, 1868.
p.S It will be right to explain that since the Agreements of 1845 and 1850 were
concluded with the Imaum of Muscat. His territories were, on his death, which took
place in 1859, divided between his two sons, the African Dominions going to the present
Sultan of Zanzibar, and the Arabian to the Sultan of Muscat.
No. 2.
Mr. Egerton to Mr. Merivale.
gj r Foreign Office, January 8, 1868.
I AM directed by Lord Stanley to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir
Stafford Northcote, the accompanying copy of a despatch from Mr. Churchill, Her Majesty's
Consul at Zanzibar, inclosing copies of a correspondence which has passed between the
Viceroy of India, the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , and Mr. Churchill,
having reference to the subsidy which the Sultan of Zanzibar is bound by his Treaty
engagements to pay to the Sultan of Muscat.
In submitting these papers for Sir Stafford Northcote s consideration, I am to state
that Lord Stanley would be glad to be informed whether, apart from the consideration that
the Treatv which stipulates for the payment of this subsidy was negotiated under the
auspices of the Indian Government, there are any Indian interests involved in the political
relations between Zanzibar and Muscat which render it advisable for the British
Government to require the Sultan of Zanzibar to continue the payment of this subsidy to
Muscat. i . T i
Should Indian interests not require the enforcement of this payment, I am to observe
that there are considerations connected with Imperial interests which would seem to
Lord Stanley to warrant our leaving the Sultan free to act as he may think fit in this
matter. ^
Sir Stafford Northcote is aware that a very extensive Traffic in Slaves is carried on
from the territories of the Sultan of Zanzibar, and that considerable pressure has been
brought to bear upon His Highness with the view to induce him to put a stop to this
Traffic.
By the Treaties existing between Great Britain and Zanzibar, the Sultan is bound to
use his utmost efforts to prevent the exportation of slaves from his dominions ; but these
Treaties do not prohibit the removal of slaves coastwise, from one part of the feultan s
dominions to another, nor the importation of slaves from the mainland into the Island ot
Zanzibar. 1 ^ ^
It is found, however, practically impossible to prevent the exportation ot slaves trom
Zanzibar territories to foreign parts, so long as the Traffic coastwise, and the importation
of slaves from the mainland into Zanzibar, is permitted to exist, ior the masters of vessels
engaged in this coast Traffic when met with by British cruizers carrying slaves, allege that
thev are taking them to Zanzibar, when in reality they may be bound to the Persian
Gulf, or the Arabian Coast, and even when passes are issued to vessels legally employed in
carrying slaves, these passes are often subsequently found in the possession of vessels
engaged in the foreign Slave Trade. , . . . . rp .
Sultan Maiid, there is every reason to believe, is anxious to act up to his ireaty
engagements for the prevention of the export of slaves from his dominions to foreign parts,
and indeed, with a view to put a stop to this Traffic, he has. withm the last few years
granted important concessions to British cruisers, beyond what his Treaty engagements
require him to concede. But. on the other hand, His Highness requires slaves to cultivate
his own estates, and to supply the labour market in Zanzibar ; and as a considerable duty
is levied on the importation of every slave into Zanzibar, he is thus pecuniarily interested
in the introduction of as large a number as possible into that island. In fact. His Highness
derives an important part of his revenue from this source, and his means would be materially
crippled if it were put a stop to. The consequence of this state of things is, that irom
i 3 000 to 14,000 slaves are imported into Zanzibar annually, a number far exceeding the
requirements of the island, the excess being carried off by the northern Arabs to su PP l y
the slave-markets in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the Arabian Coast, and the Red Sea, these Arab
slave-dealers finding it easier to escape the vigilance of the British cruizers when they ship