Page 270 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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Part II.
26. This transfer brings us then to Part II.
Captain Felix Jones had not been long at his post ere an instruction reached
VMe Mr. Secretary Andersan's despatch to c«p- from Government, desiring him to
tain Felix J.»nes, I.N.. No. 604. datcU 2l*t Pcbra- devote his best attention to a SIlfrrrPQtmo
ary .856, I olitical Department. r .. U * Suggestion
°‘ the Honourable the Court of Directors
that endeavours should be made to obtain by agreement from the independent
Arab Chiefs on Oman Coast the right to demand the surrender of slaves after
they had been landed. This instruction had been forwarded by the Honourable
Court consequent on a despatch to Government from Captain Kemball, dated
22nd of June 1855, pointing out our success in slave suppression on the Persian
Coast, and the utter impunity enjoyed by the Chiefs and tribes on the Arabian
Coast.
27. Captain Felix Jones, shortly after the receipt of above communication,
having proceeded on a.tour of the Gulf ports, exerted himself to obtain a treaty
of the nature desired from the Arab Chiefs. Details of the negotiations are
unnecessary. Suffice it to say that, almost contrary to his own expectations, he
succeeded in inducing the Sheikh of Bahrein and the Maritime Chiefs of Oman
to subscribe to a further convention in May 1S56 for the suppression of slavery,
whereby we became empowered to demand and to enforce the release of slaves
that had been landed in their territories. This, it must be admitted, was a grand
accession to our powers and tender to narrow the field for slave traffic. It may be
added that considering that the Arabs derive a great portion of their revenue from
the buying and selling of slaves, that slaves are looked upon as essential to the
comforts of their households, the concession thus gained was a victory more
splendid than negotiation, unaccompanied by pressure or force, had any right to
expect. Let us note, now, as briefly as may be, the results attendant on the
signature of the new compact.
23. The compact had scarcely been subscribed to when an active British
Agent at Shargah ascertained that slaves had been landed at Ras-el-Khyma and
Amulgavine. He lost no time in addressing himself to the Chiefs of the above
ports, who at once acted up to their fresh engagement, thereby happily res­
cuing from slavery 40 human beings from Ras-el-Khyma, and seven from
Amulgavine. Somewhat later in the year two were obtained from the Joasmee Chief.
29. Such in 1856 were the liberations effected on the strength of the new
p.i.guph a of c.pt.in Felix Jo..)1 despatch treaty; and as Captain Felix Jonesi truly
to Mr. Secreury Anderson. No. 67 of August 10, remarked so great a harvest of human
1S56. beings rescued from a perpetual bondage
• Csptain Felix Jones here refers to the Arabiaa
Coast and not to the t’ersian Coast. had not before been realised from these
coasts*.
30. Captain Felix Jones, shortly after completion of labours on the Arabian
Coast, became actively engaged in attempting to stay the tide of importation of
slaves into the Persian ports. Unfortunately, however, for slaves and slave interests
at this season, owing to a diplomatic rupture with Persia, Her Majesty’s Mission
withdrew from Tehran.
31. The success that had hithero attended our exertions to obtain the release
of slaves from the Persian ports had undoubtedly been owing to the desire ot
Persia, so long as she continued on terms of friendship with us, to act up to our
wishes in slave matters. Now, however, the face of affairs had become altered.
In lieu of surrenders nothing but opposition could with justice be looked for, ana
such unhappily proved the case.
32. The British and Persian slave agents quickly found a change had taken
place in the temper of Persian authorities. In short a cloud was thrown over our
prospects in that quarter. Captain Felix Jones, therefore, finding nothing
embarrassments and complications could arise from a prosecution of deman s
the Persian Coast was (together with the late Commodore Ethersey, w 0 y
seconded him in his views) compelled to withdraw from further mterlerenc \
Persian ports.