'Slave-dealing and Slave-holding by Kutchees in Zanzibar' [‎128r] (44/63)

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th^Sultan 11 a11 PartS 0f 1116 Zanzibar dominion s J communicating a copy also to
S. I am to add that the acknowledgments of this Government have been
expressed to His Highness the Rao for the prompt cooperation afforded by him in
this matter. J
No. 45, dated Mandavee, 6th May 1869.
Major A. Y. Shortt , 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. , Kutch, to the Secretary to the Government
of Bombay, Political Department.
Referring to the last paragraph of the Resolution of Government, No. 1Q58
dated 31st March last, I do myself the honour to enclose an original copy of a
Proclamation dated 24th ultimo, issued by His Highness the Rao to the inhabitants
ot Kutch generally, but more particularly to those trading with Zanzibar and the
Arabian and African Coasts, warning them against the penalties incurred by such
of them as may be engaged in the slave trade.
2. A literal translation is also appended for the information of Government
which, if approved, may be forwarded, with the original, to Her Majesty's Consul
at Zanzibar, with such instructions as Government may be pleased to dve with
regard to it. &
Translation of a Proclamation by His Highness the Rao of Kutch to his subjects
No. 176, dated 24th April 1869.
Seal.
Maharaja Dhiraj Mirza Maha Rao Shree Praguruljee, Bahadoor , to the
Population of Kutch generally.
To wit,—That for the security of those among you who, for the purposes of
trade, &c., permanently reside in, or come and go to and from, the country of
Zanzibar, I have, at the suggestion of Government, given notice in a yad under
date the Kartuk Sood 1st Sumvut 1922, through the 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. , to the
exalted Government, that the claims and disputes with any other persons of those
of you who permanently reside in, or frequent for the purposes of trade, the ports
of Muscat and other places in Africa and Arabia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and in
other countries where my subjects may reside, should be settled by the British
Government in the same way as if it were its own subjects, consequent on the
treaties concluded with Government.
You formerly carried on trade in slaves. But this traffic having been forbidden
by the will of Government, a Proclamation to the effect that if any slaves —negroes
or Abyssinians—shall be brought (to Kutch) by any one for sale, the vessel con-
veying them with its cargo will be confiscated, was issued by my late father, under
date the Maha Vide 5th Sumvut 1892. Notwithstanding this, I am now informed
through Major Shortt, the 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. at this place, by the 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. at
Zanzibar, at the direction of Government, that the subjects of Kutch residing at
Zanzibar are now engaged in the slave trade. From this it appears that you have
not yet abandoned this trade. It is, therefore, hereby ordered that if you persist
in the traffic in slaves, the Government will, by virtue of my aforesaid permission,
treating you (who reside at Zanzibar) as its own subjects, liberate all slaves from
your possession, and will not, however large the number of slaves so liberated,
award any compensation whatever, nor entertain any claim in regard thereto;
and besides, the perpetrators will be punished there, according to the law there
prevailing, and you will also be considered as criminals, liable to punishment here
(in my domain). Note this well, and take warning.
Given in His Hignness's presence, this 13th day of the 1st Vaisak Sood Sumvut
1925 of the Vikram era.
11532.
L