Political No. 179 of 1874, Forwarding a Copy of a Letter from the Acting Political Agent at Zanzibar, Reporting the Steps Taken to Secure the Arrest and Punishment of the Assassins of Arthur Heale at Zanzibar [‎367] (5/14)

No. 95^ dated Zanzibar^ 27th August 1874.
From—Her Majesty’s Officiating 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 General; Zanzibar;
To—Secretary to the Government of India; Foreign Department.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1521P.,
dated 17th July 1871, stating that His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-
General in Council desires that I will urge upon the Sultan the necessity of
causing the arrest and punishment of the assassins of Air. Arthur Heale.
2. I beg leave to assure His Excellency that I have brought this necessity
very strongly to His Highness’ notice, but, as Government are aware, the Sultan’s
authority does not extend beyond the walls of Brava, and the assassins belong
to a tribe of Somalis who reside at a considerable distance from that town, and
who, so far from acknowledging His Highness’ jurisdiction, are continually
engaged in hostilities with him. At the present season, moreover, it is impos
sible to obtain intelligence from the Somali ports, as no dhows can sail against
the south-east monsoon, and no man-of-war is available for duty to the north
ward. With the exception of the Surveying vessel Nassau, the only one at
present actually on the Station is the Vulture, which is now employed in
cruising off the northern ports of Madagascar. The Thetis was detached
about a month ago to convey His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon from Seychelles
to Mauritius, and her return cannot reasonably he expected under two
months. As the Squadron, however, will shortly he augmented by the Flying-
fish and the Fgeria, I trust an opportunity will he found on their arrival
for communicating with the northern ports, hut I am now helpless in the
matter.