1. ‘Slave Trade – Carried on between Abyssinia & the different Ports in the Red Sea.’

Description:

Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence enclosed within letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai], the India Board, and the Foreign Office. The item relates to:Suggestions by the above correspondents for suppressing the trade in enslaved people from the coasts of Abyssinia [Ethiopia] and Burbarra [Berbera] to the [other] ports in the Red SeaInformation supplied by Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden, in which he outlines Massowah [Massawa], Sauken [Sawākin], Tedjaura [Tadjourah], Zeyla [Saylac], and Burbarra as the principal ports in the Red Sea involved in the trade in enslaved people and provides his opinion on whether the rulers of these ports could be persuaded to abandon the trade (folios 198-200)A report by Commander Denton, Senior Naval Officer in the Red Sea, with the results of his enquiry into the allegation that Mallim Yousef Yacoob [Mu‘allim Yūsuf Yaʿqūb], Government Agent at Judda [Jeddah], and Hassain Effendi [Hasan Efendi], former Governor of Massowah, had sold enslaved people to a number of French men (folios 201 verso to 202 recto)A report by Commander A H Nott which provides details on the main ‘articles of export’ from the port of Massowah, namely: enslaved people; musk; ivory; ghee; gum; and hides. Particular attention is paid to where the enslaved people come from, how they are acquired, how much tax is levied for each individual, and the fact that many of them are Abyssinian Christians.Nott's report also provides brief details on the ‘annual yield’ of Dahlad Island [Dahlak Kebr] as well as the current political statuses of the ‘State of Abyssinia’ and Gondar [Gonder]. It can be found at folios 205-212.In addition to the above correspondents, the item includes correspondence from Rear Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 3228, Draft 714, 1841’, ‘Collection No. 4 of No. 34’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 193, and terminates at f 213, 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.

2. ‘Report of Mr Forbes the Agent at Mocha relative to Mr Mungo Park.’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists mostly of copies of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The primary subjects are:Reports of the appearance of a lone European in Abyssinia [the Ethiopian Empire] who is travelling in the direction of the Red Sea, and the suggestion that he could be Mungo Park, the missing explorerThe reports collected by Captain Henry Rudland, Resident at Mocha (also called Agent for the British Government in the Gulph [Gulf] of Arabia in the item), regarding the sightings of this European and of his whereabouts, including information provided by the explorer Nathaniel PearceThe efforts of Rudland to provide assistance to the European, including requests to Ras Welleta Sellasie [Ras Wolde Selassie], Governor of Tigre [Tigray] and to Currumchund, a merchant at Massowah [Massawa] to provide assistance should they encounter himEfforts to ascertain the veracity of reports regarding the European in Abyssinia and to secure his release should he be detained, and the scepticism of Theodore Forbes, Agent at Mocha (also called Agent in the Gulph of Arabia in the item), regarding the reports.The primary correspondents are: Captain Henry Rudland; Nathaniel Pearce; and Theodore Forbes.The title page (f 95) of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political No. 5, Season 1815/16, Draft 315’; and ‘Examiner’s Office, August 1815’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at 95, and terminates at 120, 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.