Page 267 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

9*
10. Mr. Vice-Consul Taylor on the 30th October 1852 writes thus to Captain
Kemball from Basrah—
*'With reference to your enquiries relative to the present state of the slave trade
in these parts, I have the honour to subjoin the following*
“ The first effectual steps, as you are aware, taken towards a suppression of the
traffic, occurred during the Government of Nejib Pasha ; stringent orders having been
addressed by that officer, in consequence of the Imperial firmans to the same effect, to his
subordinates here reprehending and prohibiting it for the future.
“Subsequent Governors, influenced by prejudice, or more unworthy motives, ignored
these orders, and inconsequence, although repeatedly urged upon the subject, displayed an
apathy, but too consistent with their feigned ignorance as to the firmans, copies of which
were tendered for their information.
“ Under these circumstances, therefore, it is not surprising that the trade, which, up to
Nejib's removal from the Baghdad Government, had materially decreased, should
in a great measure have again assumed a great portion of its former extent and
importance, and under existing circumstances it affords far greater inducements to importers
thao in former years, for the prohibition has materially enhanced the prices, and at the
present day the price of a healthy slave adult ranges from 150 to 200 Shamis, which in
former years could have been procured for 40 or 50.
•' From the fact of their being in a manner smuggled into the Turkish territory, I
cannot with any certainty arrive at the true number of slaves imported; the greater portion
of them also being conveyed overland from Queit to Sookest Shinkh and other towns on
the Euphrates for disposal. Those intended for the Busrah market are generally secreted
in some of the numerous ruins with which the town abounds, till a favorable opportunity
occurs for their sale.
“ From all the information I have been able to collect, which is but scanty and meagre,
consequent upon the unwillingness of my informants to euter into details, it appears to me
that the Soor people, the Ahl-es-Suahel and some few of the Queit ship owners, are the
importers, Queit being the entrepot for the slaves destined for these parts ; and I am
informed that the importations take effect in small coasting craft of so small a draught as
to enable them totally to elude the vigilance of the Honourable Company's cruizers.'’
11. From the above particulars it will be seen that notwithstanding our
treaties for the suppression of slavery, notwithstanding the cruize of a vessel
of war off the Batinah Coast, and other suspected localities, to intercept slavers
in May and June 1852, slave trade was in its full vigour in that year. The
alarming extent to which it was ascertained to be existing incited Captain
Kemball who, together with his predecessor, Colonel Hennell, had ever been most
earnest in his endeavours to repress the infamous traffic, to devote even more of
his energies towards its extinguishment.
12. In May 1852, as already stated, a vessel was deputed on slave service,
but, notwithstanding the exertions of her Commander, Lieutenant Tronson, but
little resulted from her cruize. The cause that may probably be assigned to this
Vid, Capt.in K.-nb.ii'. d«.p..ch .0 a. M.M- ,fail“re is " !h« ?lan, adopted by slavers of
Esq., Chief Secretary to Government, No. 45 landing their living freights at intermediate
Juljr l8sa* depots, which conveniently abound on the
coasts of Batinah and Oman for subsequent removal in small numbers at
pleasure.” Moreover, as observed by Captain Kemball in his communication
to Government of the 22nd May 1852, the Tigris, the vessel that was deputed,
was deficient in equipment for slave duties, and little hopes of a harvest could
be anticipated from her employment.
13. Presuming upon his local experience, the Resident submitted to Govern­
ment that the sympathies of the Chie/s and all Mahomedans in the Gulf lay
entirely with a continuance of the slave traffic. No voluntary cooperation
could therefore be looked lor at their hands. On our own endeavours and exer­
tions alone must rest the hope of extinguishing slavery.
Vidt paragraph 3 of latter from Captain ^ Suggested the advisability of 1 adopt*
Kemball to Mr. Secretary Malet, No. 85 of ing measures tO CUt off the Supply from
ovem er 1 5a. jts QrjgjnaJ source-»»
Vidt Captain Kemball’* despatch to Mr. He exhibited the inequality of action and
Secretary Malet, No. 46, under date Jaly 28, pressure that existed among the several
1852.
treaties and agreements in force in the
Gulf.
14. In the case of the Maritime Arab Chiefs and of His Highness the
Imam of Maskat we possessed the right to seize and confiscate vessels carrying