IOR/F/4/1959/85480

This item contains graphic descriptions of slavery.

This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political and secret letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, British Political Agent at Aden; Khojah Reuben, Native Agent at Muscat; the Government of India; Captain Atkins Hamerton, British Agent at Muscat on a mission to Zanzibar; Captain Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the third in a series of three items concerning the trade in enslaved people (the others are IOR/F/4/1958/85478 and IOR/F/4/1959/85479).

The item concerns:

• British proposals of methods to end the trade in enslaved people and potential political and practical consequences of these methods
• The extent of slavery and the trade in enslaved people at Zanzibar and India, and the involvement of the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘id bin Sulṭan Al Bu Sa‘id] and his ships
• The kidnap and sale of women from India
• The involvement of individuals in the Persian Gulf in the trade in enslaved people
• The difficulties of determining the nationality of crews and ships for the purpose of applying pre-existing treaties which limit the trade in enslaved people
• The case of the Kallah Kassaim [Qal'ah Qasim], which transported enslaved people while flying British colours and subsequently changed to flying the Imam of Muscat’s flag, including copies of her licence and pass
• The importation of enslaved people into Shargah [Sharjah] and the non-cooperation of Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sultan I bin Saqr al-Qasimi, Shaikh of Ra’s al-Khaymah] in resolving this matter; the eventual release of four Soomalee [Somali] women, the circumstances of their enslavement, and their return to Berbera
• A dispute between Sultan bin Suggur and Khalifa bin Shaikboot [Shaikh Khalifah bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi] involving each of them plundering the other's territory
• Relations between British and American citizens at Zanzibar and the influence of their respective officials over the Imam of Muscat
• The arrival of Her Majesty’s sloop of war Lily at Zanzibar, and her seizure of the Joshua Carroll on suspicion of her being equipped to carry enslaved people
• The trade in enslaved people at Berbera and the possibility of its suppression.

The item includes letters sent by the Imam of Muscat to Queen Victoria, Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen], and Lord Palmerston [John Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston] requesting that they modify their plans for the suppression of the trade in enslaved people (ff 210-219).

The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 596, P.C. [Previous Communication] 3593, [Season] 1842’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.