'Papers Respecting the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa and the System Pursued for its Suppression' [‎54v] (48/72)

48
Inclosure 1 in No. 53.
Mr. Churchill to the Acting Chief Secretary to Government, Bombay.
Si r> Zanzibar, March 1, 1869.
HIS Highness the Sultan has been good enough to permit me to take a copy of a
letter he has received from Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan, Chief of the Beni Yaa's tribe, whose
head-quarters are at Abu Phabbei, in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
The letter relates as much to the Slave Trade as to the feelings of the tribes on the
coast of Arabia towards Seyd Majid as their future ruler.
The inducements to carry on the Slave Trade are brought out with great force in the
Sheikh's letter. His inability to stop it may or may not be feigned, but the information
conveyed to us by his remarks go far to show that, until serious measures are taken, as
well in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. as elsewhere, to punish the individuals who engage in this Traffic
it will continue its course unaffected by our efforts to annihilate it.
It comes, I am afraid, to this, that so long as domestic slavery is allowed to flourish,
the Slave Trade will exist. In no Mahometan state with which Her Majesty's Government
is in friendly relations should domestic slavery be tolerated. The alliance of England is
worth the sacrifice. Until then, our endeavours, however active and energetic, will no
more keep this trade down, than grass will be stopped from growing by being trampled
upon. Like vice of every kind, it will crop up wherever it has not been thoroughly
eradicated.
I n£l\7^ iV C*
(Signed) ' HY. A. CHURCHILL.
Inclosure 2 in No. 53.
The Chief of the Beni Yaas Tribe of Abu Phabbei to the Sultan of Zanzibar.
(Translation.)
(After the usual compliments.) 23 Ramdan, 1285 {January 7, 1869).
YOU are no doubt aware of the occurrences of Oman, and what has taken place at
Muscat, but we are ignorant of your intentions, though the people of Oman are all looking
towards you. We trust that you will let us know what you purpose doing. Seyd Salim
hr;S come to Abu Phabbei with the object of getting the people to rise in his favour, but we
do not believe he will succeed in inducing them to fight for him, as his proceedings in past
times were not of the best; however, everything is in the hands of the Almighty.
Your gracious letter has reached me, and I was pleased to receive tidings of your
health. Its main purport, namely, that we should warn the Northern Arabs from going to
Zanzibar, has been understood. We did warn them, oh, my brother, and sent people to
tell them, and made public your letter; but it will, I am afraid, have but little effect in
keeping them back. The gains are so enormous that it is hopeless to think of stopping them.
With ten baskets' worth of dates, that a man gets on credit, he can get 20 slaves at Zanzibar,
worth 1,000 dollars. God is great. You may punish them condignly, if you like, by burning
their dhows, or by putting them in irons, but if you do not punish them you had better let
them alone, for we cannot do it. The greatest offenders are the people ot Ras-el-Kheyma;
were they put down, the others would soon stop ; but words are not sufficient; on the
contrary, words will increase their daring; but vour consideration is superior to all.
(Sealed) IBRAHIM BIN SULTAN.
No. 54.
Mr. Grant Duff to Mr. Hammond.—{Received April 22.)
Sir, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , April 21, 1869.
WITH reference to your letter of the 10th instant, and to my reply dated 12th idem,
I am now directed by the Duke of Argyll to forward, for the information of Lord
Clarendon, copy of a despatch just received from the Government of India, with inclosure
from 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. , on the subject of the Zanzibar subsidy.
I am, &c.
(Signed) M. E. GRANT DUFF.