"أوراق تتعلق بتجارة الرقيق على الساحل الشرقي لأفريقيا والنظام المتبع لكبحها" [ظ‎‎٦‎٤] (٧٢/٦٨)

Lieutenant -Colonel Disbrowe to the Earl of Clarendon.—{Received July 12.)
My Lord, Muscat, May 28, 1869.
A SERIES of threats, culminating in open defiance of Seyd Azan, the de facto ruler
of Muscat, by his Excellency the Viceroy in Council's commands, relative to the repose of
the sea, compelled me, on the 24th instant, to transfer Her Majesty's flag on shore to
Her Majesty's gun-boat 44 Clyde," anchored some 400 yards oft* the forts and town of
Muscat. ,
2. Her Majesty's flag was again displayed from yesterday at this Consulate tor the
several reasons here beneath particularized, and I respectfully trust your Lordship will
approve of my proceedings, and admit that in rehoisting Her Majesty's flag, 1 have acted
in accordance with the dignity due to Her Majesty's Government,
o. The reasons that actuated me are three in number.
Istly and chiefly. Seyd Azan apologized in writing for the insult offered.
2ndly. Seyd Azan gave written assurances of future respect towards Her Majesty s
Representative here, together with protection of British subjects.
Srdly, and lastly. Lieutenant-Colonel Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
mediated between Seyd Azan and myself, and requested me to rehoist Her Majesty's flag
on shore. . i r
4. It is impossible for me, by the mail-steamer leaving to-day, to submit lor your
Lordship's information, particulars. By the earliest opportunity offering, however, hereafter,
1 shall do myself the honour to submit correspondence in lull on this subject.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HERBERT DISBROWE.
No. 76.
Mr. Melvill to Mr. Otway.—(Received My 13.)
gj r ^ India Office, July 12, 1869.
WITH reference to your letter of the 29th of May I am directed by the Duke of
Argyll to forward to you herewith, for the consideration of Lord Clarendon, draft of
instructions relative to the present aspect of the Muscat-Zanzibar question, and its bearings
on our policy in the Persian Gulf, which his Grace proposes to address to the Government
of India, in substitution of those inclosed in the India Office letter of the 10th of May,
and I am to add that his Grace will be glad to be furnished with the views of the Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs on this subject, with the least possible delay, as the Govern
ment of India are pressing for an answer to their despatches.
I am &c.
(Signed) J. COSMO MELVILL.
Inclosure in No. 76.
Draft Despatch to the Governor-General of India.
India Office, July , 1869. 4"
HER Majesty's Government having taken into deliberate consideration the corre- .
spondence noted in the margin, relating to the affairs of Muscat and Zanzibar,
especially as affected by the recent revolution at the former place, I now proceed to j
communicate to your Excellency their views of the important questions thus brought to
their notice.
2. The events of this revolution, resulting as it did in a change of dynasty at Muscat,
had involved the affairs of that State in such uncertainty, that, for some time, it seemed
probable that each mail would bring to England intelligence of some new political vicissi
tude, which would render nugatory any instructions which Her Majesty's Government
might communicate to you. But a sufficient period has now elapsed since the expulsion
of Syud Salim from Muscat to make it appear to be little probable that he will ever recover
the position which he has lost. The general aspect of affairs, indeed, both as represented
in these papers and communicated to me by officers recently employed in the Persian Gulf, 1