Measures for the Suppression of the Trade in Enslaved Persons

Content

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from 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. Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. , Number 42 of 1856, dated 10 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 19 December 1855-7 June 1856.

The enclosures chiefly comprise despatches from Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in Aden, 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 the latter’s responses, in connection with British attempts to suppress the trade in enslaved persons in the Red and Arabian seas and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. regions. They notably cover and include:

• Coghlan’s frustration over the lack of available vessels to enable him to visit independent ports on the Arabian and African coasts and Turkish [Ottoman] ports in the Red Sea, in particular Shuhr and Maculla [Ash Shihr and Mukalla] which Coghlan suggests should be monitored for boats crossing from Africa; the Government of Bombay’s resolution to press the need for naval resources upon the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. ; and the Court of Directors’ recommendation that for now existing vessels at Aden and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. stations should be used
• Coghlan’s suggestion that a vessel of war be stationed at Perim Island in the Straits of Babel Mandel [Bab el Mandeb] commanding the entrance to the Red Sea
• The agreement concluded by Coghlan with Sultan Manassir, the Oulaki [Sulṭān Manāṣir, al-‘Awlaqī tribe], and the latter’s complaints that his neighbours continue the trade and benefit further from his self-interdict
• The issue of the need to obtain a treaty with ‘Arabian chiefs’ on the Gulf coast providing the right of British vessels to demand the liberation of enslaved persons landed ashore, and the assertion of the Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. that Zanzibar traders evade British surveillance by sailing to Oman and following land routes through Mesopotamia and Persia [Iran], and suggestion that a steam vessel be stationed at Mazeera Island [Masirah]
• The question of producing a ‘digest’ of all treaties existing on the subject of slavery and Coghlan’s concern that they are not enforced partly due to obscure terms
• An intelligence report (supplied by a person connected with the firm of Menon Lambert and Co of Mauritius who have contracted with the British Government to carry the mails between Mauritius and Aden) describing the extent of the trade in enslaved persons carried on by Arab and Persian craft from the coast of Africa and Zanzibar to ports on the Red and Arabian seas and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (ff 314-315).

The principal correspondents are: Coghlan, 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 the Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.

Extent and format

1 item (19 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 125

998 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/487

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 305-323

Former external reference(s)

No. 42 of 1856

History of this record

Date(s)

10 Jun 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

SurveillanceSlave tradeTreatiesNaval operations

Places

Perim IslandPersian GulfZanzibarIndian OceanRed Sea

People & organisations

Political ResidentGovernment of BombayPolitical Agent

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

Measures for the Suppression of the Trade in Enslaved Persons, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 305-323, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100157091557.0x000010> [accessed 8 July 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100157091557.0x000010

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000319.0x00012e/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content