'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎555] (574/622)

HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY.
on shore to meet him. I called on him to fulfil the Govern-
ment demands; but it was not without considerable difficulty
a mueh entreaty and after we had left the shore, that he was
persuaded hy the elders of his tribe to visit the ' Semiramis'
as apparently the Sultan apprehended treachery; however,
accompanied by his nearest of kin and immediate principal
followers, he came on board about three p.m., and tendered on
the quarterdeck the apology demanded, in the presence of the
omcers and ship s company, and also promised to deliver up the
other two of the murderers, said to be at Baraida, in four days.
1 he oultan and his followers then visited the engine-room
lower deck, and other parts of the ship, and finally left under a
salute ot seven guns, apparently highly gratified with his visit
and teimination of the affair.' Two of the murderers w 7 ere
surrendered to Commander Adams on board the 4 Semiramis,'
on the 23rd of January, and the other demands of the Govern
ment having been complied with, the 6 Penguin' sailed for the
Seychelles, and Commander Adams proceeded to Aden. On
the occasion of receiving the Sultan's written apology,^ duly
signed and witnessed, he succeeded in inducing that chief to
give up the slave trade,f a self-imposed act of philanthropy,
# Apology by Mahomed Yusuf, Sultan of the Mijjertheyn tribe of Soomalies
—" Praise be to God alone. In the month of Rabec Alaakhir last (the latter
end of September, 1862) a number of my subjects at Baraida dared to commit a
foul and cruel massacre upon fifteen English seamen. Eor that inhuman out
rage, satisfaction was demanded by the British Government, and eight of the
guilty parties I caused to be publicly beheaded in presence of the officers of the
men-of-war. I then pledged myself to surrender the four remaining guilty ones,
if ever they should come within my power. I now, as in presence of the Almighty
God, renew that pledge, and bind myself that I will use my utmost endeavour
to seize and deliver to the British Governor, at Aden, the four already men
tioned, and also any other person who it may be ascertained took part in the
atrocity. And for myself and for my tribe I express my sorrow for the baseness
of those of my people who had a hand in that unfortunate affair whose evil con
duct has been so contrary to my wish and practice, and also contrary to the
friendship which has so long existed betwixt my people and the British Govern
ment : and I pray our merciful God to continue sincerity and friendship between
us and the English people without interruption."
" Rijab, 1279. True Translation. H. Rassam, Assistant Political Eesident.
•—Given on board H.M.'s ship 4 Semiramis,' I.N., off Bunder Muryah, a.d . 18th
January, 1863.—Mahomed Yusuf.
" Witnesses :—G. N. Adams, Commander, Indian Navy, Senior Naval Officer,
Aden.—J. G. G. McHardy, Lieutenant-commanding H.M.'s ship-of-war 4 Pen
guin ;' Ishmail Sultan Mahmood ; Ahmet Sultan Mahmood."
t The following is a copy of the engagement entered into by this chief:—"I,
Mahomed Yusuf, Sultan of the Mijjertheyn tribe of Soomalies, with a view to
strengthen the bonds of friendship existing between me and the British Govern
ment, do hereby engage to prohibit the exportation of slaves from the coast of
Africa and elsewhere, on board of my vessels and those belonging to my subjects
or dependents, such prohibition to take effect from the 23rd day of April, 1863.
And I do further consent that, whenever the cruisers of the British Government
fall in with any of my vessels, or those belonging to my subjects or dependents,
suspected of being engaged in the slave trade, they may detain and search them ;
and in case of finding that any of the vessels aforesaid have violated this engage
ment, by the exportation of slaves from the coast of Africa, whether in or out of
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