‘Précis of correspondence relating to Zanzibar affairs from 1856 to 1872. Prepared by Captain P D Henderson, attached to the Foreign Department’ [‎119v] (78/114)

Events in Zanzibar from the death of Syed Majid.
of the British Crown. To this proposal for the annexation of Zanzibar, His Excellency
in Council is most decidedly opposed. He considers that it is contrary to the principles of
justice and sound policy. It is possible that the annexation of Zanzibar would tend towards
the suppression of the slave trade on the east coast of Africa, but this is a question which is
not in the hands of the Government of India; but even if such a result were certain it
would not justify, in His Excellency's opinion, a deliberate act of spoliation. The remark
that the territory of Zanzibar is not under the sovereignty of a well-disposed ruler is one
which, if accepted as a justification of the course proposed, would be equally applicable
to many other States in Asia. For similar reasons His Excellency in Council is unable to
attach any force to the argument which would justify the interference of the British Govern
ment by the anticipation that, unless such a course is taken, some European power mio-ht hereafter
establish itself in these regions. The Viceroy and Governor General in Council cannot approve
of a proposal which would be a deliberate and unjustifiable breach of treaty and a declaration
of war with Syed Burgash. As pointed out by Dr. Kirk, the commercial treaty, and the tariff
which it prescribes, give the British Government complete power to make the ruler of
Zanzibar fulfil his engagements. ,,
These proceedings were reported to the Secretary of State in a despatch
No. 10, dated 22nd March 1871, with the remark—
"We cannot admit the force of the arguments by which the Bombay Government under
takes to justify such a measure. On the contrary, we hold that the annexation of Zanzibar
would be a deliberate and unwarrantable breach of treaty, and opposed to every principle of
justice and sound policy— (S. I. 1871, Noa. 10-22).
The Bombay Government, on the 24th July 1871, submitted an explana
tion with regard to the propositions advanced by them, and which had been
so unhesitatingly condemned by the Government of India. It was as follows :
"His Excellency the Governor in Council would observe that he never contemplated an
annexation of Zanzibar, it it were found possible to place it under the government of a
member of the reigning family who was well disposed to the British Government, and
desirous of continuing on amicable terms with the British Government. There are other descen
dants of Syed Saeed, who would have a superior claim to the throne of Zanzibar; and, with
reference to Syed Burgash himself. His Excellency in Council would remark that a reference
to my letter will show that his removal from the throne was suggested for considerations not
on the ground merely of his not being a well-disposed ruler, as might be inferred from your
letter, but of his possessing no claim, either hereditary or elective, to the throne which he had
seized. Syed Burgash is simply a usurper, who had infringed a fundamental treaty, and had
manifested an open hostility to the English alliance.
" With reference to the remarks as regards the conduct of Mr. Churchill, of whose
proceedings His Excellency in Council had already expressed his disapprobation, I am
directed to point out that the Sultan's proclamation was the cause, and not the result, of the
angry correspondence between the British Agent and His Highness.
" Finally, the complications which have from time to time arisen between the British and
other European powers on the east coast of Africa may have caused His Excellency in
Council to regard the possible presence of another European government at Zanzibar with
greater apprehension than is entertained by His Excellency the Viceroy in Council. But a
recollection of events of no distant date, both at Mayottee and Mozambique, impresses His
Excellency the Governor in Council with the conviction that such an event as the assump
tion of a protectorate over Zanzibar by a European power, whose policy as regards the slave
trade would be different from ours, would be a source of continued danger and anxiety.^
This explanation of the Bombay Government did not induce the Govern
ment of India to modify the views previously expressed. As it was not known
what recent events at Mayottee and Mozambique were alluded to, information
on this subject was called iw.—{Secret, 1871, Nos. 305-324.)
The Bombay Government replied on the 4th October 1871 that the allu
sion to Mayottee and Mozambique—
" refers to the difficulties which have from time to time arisen in respect to the suppres
sion ot the slave trade on the east coast of Africa with the French and Portuguese Govern
ments, and which have, His Excellency in Council thinks, more than once been the subject of
discussion in Parliament. The observation was general, and had no reference to anv difficul
ties experienced by the Indian Government."— A, November 1871, Nos. 25 Sc 26J
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