Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 27 October 1853, and found at IOR/F/4/2536/147461. It is the fifth in a series of seven items about the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people].The item contains a letter from Henry Wilson Reeves, Bombay Civil Service, to the Government of Bombay. The letter mentions a map of the journeys made in 1850-51 by Dr David Livingstone and Mr Oswell, Madras Civil Service, in the region north of the 'Cape colony' [Cape of Good Hope] and north-east of the 'Great Ngamee Lake' [Lake Ngami]. Reeves notes that Livingstone and Oswell discovered 'slave trade' activity in the area, allegedly involving the Makololo [or Kololo] people and the 'Mambari' [word given to traders in the region], who may or may not be Portuguese. He suggests that Major Atkins Hamerton, Political Agent at Zanzebar [Zanzibar], should be asked to make enquiries about this trade and the general geography of the region, the Zambezi river in particular.The item also contains a minute by the Governor of Bombay, dated 14 September 1853, with instructions for forwarding Reeves's letter and map to Hamerton and the Government of the Cape of Good Hope.The map referred to was removed and catalogued separately at IOR/W/F/4/2536/147465.Hamerton is also referred to as HM Consul and Company Agent in the Dominions of His Highness the Imam [Imām] of Muscat.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '161 1854', 'Collection', 'Vol: 5', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection was described as 'No. 1 of No. 102 of 1853' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 832, and terminates at f 837, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding their attempts to monitor and prohibit slave traffic on the East Coast of Africa. The correspondence dates from March 1869 to October 1869.Of particular interest are the following folios:Folio 71 - French Government boat registration papers that had been given to 'Arab Dhows' allowing them to travel under the French flag.Folio 73 - A chart entitled 'Memorandum of Number of Slaves landed and liberated at Aden, and how disposed of'.Folio 74 - A copy of the Slave Trade Jurisdiction (Zanzibar) Bill, May 1869.Folios 89-91 - 'A Memorandum by Mr. Churchill [Henry Adrian Churchill, Britain's Agent in Zanzibar] respecting Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa'.Physical description: Condition: contained within a bound volume that contains a number of other files.Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 67, and terminates at f 91, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 5-134; these numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file contains printed copies of correspondence between British officials regarding Britain's attempts to prohibit slave traffic on the East Coast of Africa, relations between Britain and the Sultanate of Zanzibar, and Zanzibar's relations with Muscat. The correspondence dates from September 1866-July 1869.The file contains translated copies of correspondence between the Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Saeed and the Viceroy of India, John Laird Mair Lawrence as well as translated correspondence between an Envoy of the Sultan of Zanzibar and the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Stanley [Edward Henry Stanley].On folio 42r, the file contains a translation of a letter from Queen Victoria to the Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Saeed. The letter confirms the friendly relations between the two and informs the Sultan that a sword has been specially commissioned for him as a gift.The file also contains translated correspondence between the Sultan of Johanna [Anjouan Island, now part of the Comoros Islands] and Henry Adrian Churchill, Britain's Agent in Zanzibar.Physical description: Condition: the file is contained within a bound volume that contains a number of other files.Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 31, and terminates at f 66, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 5-134; these numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, statements, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The principal correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Imaum of Muscat [Imam of Muscat, Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen; the Governor of Mauritius, Sir Lowry Cole; the Chieftain of Bombassa, Sooleman Ibn Ali Muzroee [Sultan of Mombasa, Sulayman ibn ‘Ali al-Mazru‘i].The item concerns the actions of Captain Owen of HMS
Leven. While surveying the east coast of Africa, he accepted the cession of Bombassa [Mombasa]. The Chieftain of Bombassa wanted British protection against the Imaum of Muscat, offering half his revenues in return. The item consists of:The Imaum’s complaints that Bombassa is part of his territory and Owen prevented him from attacking itThe Imaum’s complaints that ships belonging to his subjects carrying slaves were intercepted by the BritishThe evidence that the British collected about the Imaum’s claim to sovereignty over BombassaThe decision whether to accept Bombassa as a British Protectorate or not. The Board of Control ruled that it should be left alone.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 870, Draft 392, P.C. 276, Examiner’s Office March 1823’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 28, and terminates at f 79, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-23 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 30 November 1841. The enclosures are dated 11 July-27 November 1841. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to the trade in enslaved persons in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, including:Reports that ships belonging to the Imam of Muscat and members of his family have been taking enslaved persons from the east coast of Africa to Bombay [Mumbai], Dewul [Diu] and Kurratchee [Karachi], and enslaved Hindu women from Bombay to Muscat and Zanzibar, with an insistence that the Imam is unaware of such use of his shipsMethods used to disguise the trade in enslaved persons, including recording enslaved persons as crew members and their wives, disguising enslaved women as men in order to pass them off as crew members, and the use of bribesReports that a ship under British colours carried enslaved persons from Mocha to MuscatReports of enslaved persons being carried from Burbarah [Berbera] to Shargah [Sharjah].The primary correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Native Agent, Muscat; the Collector of Customs, Bombay; and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (52 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; James Stuart Fraser, Resident at Hyderabad; and W Harrison, Registrar of the Bombay Sudder Foujdaree Adawlut [Sadr Faujdari Adalat, criminal court]. It is the second in a series of six items on the trade in enslaved people (the others are IOR/F/4/2066/94846, IOR/F/4/2066/94848, IOR/F/4/2066/94849, IOR/F/4/2066/94850, and IOR/F/4/2066/94851).The item concerns:The efforts of the British to persuade the Imaum of Muscat [Imam of Muscat, Sayyid Sa’id bin Sultan Al Bu Sa’id] to introduce additional measures to prohibit the trade in enslaved people in his dominions, with correspondence between the representatives of the Imaum and the Earl of AberdeenThe extent of the trade in kidnapped children carried out between the territory of the Nizam of Hyderabad [Mir Farkhunda ‘Ali Khan] and MuscatStatistics showing the number of people prosecuted for kidnapping children since 1827 and their sentences.The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 73, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4548, [Season 18]44’, ‘Collection No 1 of No 4’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 339 and terminates at f 382, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: A paper written in continuation of a previous memorandum regarding the Italian Occupation of Assab Bay [IOR/L/PS/18/B22], which brings the story up to date.The first section describes the course of events at and around Assab from May 1880 to September 1881, including protests made by the Egyptian Government to the Italian Government at their purchase of the whole coastline around Assab Bay and the islands nearby, and an enquiry that followed the massacre of an Italian exploring party. This section concludes with two reports suggesting that, although the Italians had not made much progress at Assab Bay, they had shown their intention to get a foothold on the African continent.The second section reproduces correspondence between the British, Italian and Egyptian governments, and between the India Office and the Foreign Office from May 1880 to September 1881. The correspondence relates to the purchase of land at Assab Bay by the Rubattino Company; Italian Government denials that the territory would be used for military purposes; attempts made by the Italian Government to legitimise their occupation of the place by encouraging the British Government to accredit a British Agent there, both for commercial purposes and for the purpose of co-operation in the suppression of the slave trade; and a British Government proposal that the Italian Government enter into a formal convention about the matter with the Egyptian Government.The final section reproduces correspondence connected with a proposed disembarkation of Egyptian troops at Raheita to the south of Assab Bay; Egyptian appeals for a British warship to be sent to the area; Italian protestations that disembarkation at Raheita would constitute a provocation; and the British Government's re-affirmation that the sovereignty of the coastline at Raheita and Assab Bay belongs to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the Khedive of Egypt.The paper is written by Arthur William Moore.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at folio 25, and terminates at folio 40, as it is part of a larger volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2, 3, 7-10, 12, 13, 16-20, 22-24, 27-30, 32-39, 42, 43 and 45 to dispatch no. 108 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 31 December 1841. The enclosures are dated 28 October-28 December 1841.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to instances of confirmed, alleged or suspected enslavement and trade in enslaved persons in the Persian Gulf, and efforts for the suppression of that trade.The primary correspondents are the Political Resident, Persian Gulf, and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (70 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters to and from the Government of Bombay. It is the first in a series of three items on Muscat and the slave trade (the others are IOR/F/4/913/25778 and IOR/F/4/914/25779). The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and the East India Company Court of Directors.The item concerns:The actions taken by the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd] to limit the slave tradeThe Moresby Treaty, which aimed to limit the slave tradeCaptain William Fitzwilliam Owen’s acceptance of the cession of Bombassa [Mombasa] from the King and Chiefs of the island (see also IOR/F/4/785/21163).The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political No. 943, Draft 8, P.C. 423, [Season] 1827/28’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 123, and terminates at f 147, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the second in a series of three items on Muscat and the slave trade (the others are IOR/F/4/913/25777 and IOR/F/4/914/25779). The principal correspondents are the governments of Bombay and Bengal; Robert Farquhar, Governor of Mauritius; Fairfax Moresby, Commander of HMS
Menai; the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd].The item concerns:Moresby’s capture of the
Industry, a ship engaged in the slave tradeAgreements with the Imaum of Muscat about the slave trade and port duesFrench attempts to establish a new base at MadagascarThe state of the slave trade at ZanzibarNegotiation of the Moresby Treaty with the Imaum of Muscat, including a map of the Moresby Line (f 214)Explanations of the Moresby Treaty and the differences between the English and Arabic versionsCaptain William Fitzwilliam Owen’s survey expedition in HMS
Levenand his observations on the slave tradeLiberation of three Christian women from Bahrein, who had been kidnapped from Mangalore.Folios 151-257 of the item are duplicates of folios 86-187 of IOR/F/4/746/20306, with some minor insertions, omissions, and alteration of sequence. Folios 263-271 of the item are duplicates of folios 46-53 of IOR/F/4/785/21163.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political No. 943, Draft 8, P.C. 423, [Season] 1827/28’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 148, and terminates at f 287, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, minutes, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the third in a series of three items on Muscat and the slave trade (the others are IOR/F/4/913/25777 and 25778). The principal correspondents are the Government of Bombay; the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd]; the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, Ephraim Gerrish Stannus.The item concerns:Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen’s acceptance of the cessation of Bombassa [Mombasa] and the subsequent dispute with the ImaumThe history of relations between Oman and BombassaThe state of the Gulf, alliances and enmities in the Gulf, and the possibility of peaceThe history of relations between Britain and Oman, especially the implications of the 1798 treaty of friendshipThe state of the slave tradeThe terms on which the Imaum is prepared to ban the slave trade entirely in his territories.The following folios are duplicates of those in IOR/F/4/785/21163: ff 4-6; 13-37; 45-50; 53-59.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 943, Draft 8, P.C. 423, [Season] 1827/28’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at f 133, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the second in a series of three items about a negotiation by William Bruce (the others are IOR/F/4/894/23288 and IOR/F/4/895/23290). The principal correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Government of Bengal; William Bruce, former Political Agent in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant [John] Macleod, Political Agent in the Persian Gulf; Major [George] Willock, in charge of the British Mission in Persia.The item concerns:An explanation by William Bruce about his conduct in negotiating an unauthorised treaty with Hoossain Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs]The results of the treaty, including the evacuation of Kishm [Qeshm] and the effect on stability in the GulfThe appointment of Captain Faithfull as Commanding Officer in the Persian GulfHow to enforce the General Treaty of Maritime Peace of 1819, negotiated by William Keir GrantJohn Macleod’s tour of the Gulf and discussions with the Imaum of Muscat [Imam of Muscat, Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and other chiefs in the Gulf who were signatories to the General Treaty of Maritime Peace in 1819Analysis of the balance of power in the Gulf and particularly Shaikh Sooltan Bin Sugger [Shaikh Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī]How to eliminate the slave tradeThe reaction of the King of Persia [Fath-Ali Shah Qājār] to the treaty.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘[Political] No. 2, Draft 293, P.C. 362, [Season] 26/7’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 227, and terminates at f 328, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.