Page 258 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER X.
Miscellaneous questions and facts,
(i) Incidence of slave trade charges.
177. In 1870 the Bombay Government forwarded returns of the slaves that
Political A., Augu.t 1873. No». oai-aaa and had been landed and liberated at Aden
countermatks. during the five preceding years. The
expenses involved in the transport and maintenance of these slaves amounted
to about 1 \ lakhs of rupees. The Government of India submitted the question
to the Home Government as to whether this expenditure should be borne by the
revenues of India. They contended that the capture of slaves as well as their
subsequent maintenance and transport were carried out by Her Majesty’s Gov­
ernment under Act of Parliament, and had nothing to do with India and were
not connected in any way with Indian Administration. They therefore requested
that steps might be taken by Her Majesty's Government for the transfer of the
charges from the revenues of India to the Imperial 'Ireasury.
178. After considerable correspondence with the Home Government regard­
ing certain information required by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s
Treasury, the amount expended by the Indian Government, vie., ^14,921-2-8
was repaid (despatch of Duke of Argyll, No. S4, dated 10th July 1873).
179. In 1881 some slaves were captured and brought to Maskat by the
Dryad and the Government of India sanctioned the expenditure of Rs. 230 for
their passages to Bombay.
180. In May 1883 while out cruising in the Masirah Channel in command of
the cutter and gig belonging to the Ranger,
Political E., December 1883, Not. 138.141.
Lieutenant Colwell sighted three Badans
close to the shores. He boarded two of them, and finding things in order left
them ; on boarding the third she was found empty. Lieutenant Colwell hailed
some of the natives who were on shore, and three Arabs and two negroes waded
off. One of the latter got into the gig, and through the assistance of a Shidi
boy interpreter, Lieutenant Colwell learnt that he was a slave and was desirous
of accompanying him. The second negro, who was not at first inclined to
follow his companion’s example, was afterwards persuaded to get into the gig.
On learning that the negroes were slaves belonging to the Badan, Lieutenant
Colwell returned to her, and finding her still empty called again to the Arabs
who were on shore, but none would venture near him. He then towed her away,
and sent her with the slaves to the Ranger.
181. From the statement made by the owner of the Badan, at the. Vice-
Admiralty Court held by the Political Agent. Maskat, and from other evidence,
it was satisfactorily proved that the captured Badan had not been engaged in
the slave trade at the time of her seizure; but had only shortly before her capture
returned from a five days’ fishing cruise. On the morning of the capture the
crew had taken their nets ashore, and were engaged in mending them when the
seizure took place.
182. Unfortunately the Badan was wrecked and lost owing to the parting of
hawsers when being towed by the Ranger, and a decree was accordingly given
against Commander Darwall of the Ranger for Rs. 638, which was paid to the
owner in full compensation for all losses. One of the slaves, who had not been
more than a couple of years from Zanzibar, was taken charge of by the Comman­
der of the Ranger. The Political Agent, Maskat, sent the second one to Bombay,
as it was not considered expedient to set him at liberty at Maskat and asked tor
sanction of Rs. 27 incurred by him for the passage of the man.
183. The expenditure was sanctioned, but the Government of India stated
in their letter to the Resident No. 2731-E., dated 16th November 1883
I am at the same time to remind you that all matters relating to the slave trade
of purely Imperial concern and accordingly no expenditure of a similar nature can
future be authorized by the Government of India. ”