'Papers Respecting the Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa and the System Pursued for its Suppression' [‎62v] (64/72)

64
Ko. 67.
Mr. Otway to Mr. Merivale.
Sir, Foreign Office, June 7, 1869.
I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, to be laid before the
Duke of Argyll, the accompanying copies of a despatch and its inclosures from Lieutenant-
Colonel Disbrowe, Her Majesty's 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. and Consul at Muscat,* stating that no
Sultan and no Government having as yet been recognized by Her Majesty's Government
in that country, doubts have arisen in his mind as to how far he is justified in adjudicating
in the matter of slaves and slavers seized within dominions appertaining to the Sovereign
of Muscat, and he accordingly requests instructions for his guidance on this subject.
His Grace will perceive, also, that Colonel Disbrowe has written in the same sense to
the Secretary to 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 that he suggests that a transcript of the
instructions which Lord Clarendon may address to him in this matter should be communi
cated simultaneously to the Governor in Council of Bombay.
Lord Clarendon desires me to state that he is not aware of the nature of the instruc
tions referred to by Colonel Disbrowe as having been addressed to him by the 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. ,
in November 1867, No. 92; but his Lordship is of opinion that the fact of the present
Ruler of Muscat not having been recognized by Her Majesty's Government in no way
affects the policy to be pursued towards Muscat in regard to the suppression of the Slave
Trade; and that Colonel Disbrowe should, therefore, continue to act as has heretofore
been the custom in adjudicating in the matter of slaves and suspected slavers.
I am to add that, if the Duke of Argyll concurs in Lord Clarendon's views, his
Lordship will instruct Lieutenant-Colonel Disbrowe accordingly ; and I am to suggest that
his Grace will probably think it right to send instructions in the same sense to 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. ,
I am, &c.
(Signed) A. J. OTWAY.
No. 68.
The Earl of Clarendon to Br. Kirk.
(No. 5.)
Sir. Foreign Office, June 7, 1869.
1 OBSERVE in your despatch No. 35 of the 22nd of April last, addressed to the
Chief Secretary to 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. , that you report that at Muscat a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean.
containing 50 slaves, all of whom had been stolen by Northern Arabs in Zanzibar, had
been seized in harbour by Sultan Majid's soldiers, and you add that this is a step that
you did not expect His Highness would have taken in the absence of an English man-
of-war.
I have to instruct you to take an opportunity of acknowledging and thanking
His Highness, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, for this act of vigour on
his part.
I am, &c.
(Signed) CLARENDON.
No. 69.
Mr. Merivale to Mr. Otway.—(Received June 15.)
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. , June 14, 1869.
IN reply to your letter of the 7th instant, I am directed by the Duke of Argyll to
acquaint you, for the information of Lord Clarendon, that he entirely concurs in opinion
with his Lordship, that Lieutenant-Colonel Disbrowe's Consular jurisdiction is in no way
affected by the existing state of affairs in Muscat.
The instructions to which you refer, as communicated to Colonel Disbrowe in.
Bombay Political despatch dated 23rd November, 1867, consisted of the Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council.
of the 4th of November, 1867, regulating Consular jurisdiction in the dominions ot the
Ruler of Muscat, furnished to this Department from the Foreign Office in compliance with
the request contained in Lord Clinton's letter of the 15th August, 1867.
* No. 65.