IOR/R/15/1/26, ff 2-8

The letter is instructing the Resident to stop off at Muscat during his return trip from Bombay to Bushire, so that he may make representations on behalf of the Bombay Government to Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat (also spelt Immaun in this item), regarding the suppression of the slave trade in his territories.

The letter has two enclosures:

1 - A copy of a letter from Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay to the Imam of Muscat, dated 7 October 1821.

The letter apologises for the detention of one of the Imam's vessels by the HC Cruizer Psyche, and explains the crew was acting contrary to the orders of Government. It also urges the Imam to put a stop to the slave trade in his territories, or at the very least prohibit the taking of British subjects, and to provide assistance with preventing European agents from engaging with the trade.

2 - A translation of a letter from the Imam of Muscat to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay, dated 13 December 1821.

The letter claims that the Imam is unable to prevent the trade in slaves in his territory, but that he can prevent British and French subjects from participating in it.