Page 208 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

180 Part VI—-Chap. XLI-B.

CHAPTER XII—B.

Sultan oOIaskat’s Treaty with the United States of America, 1833.
321-D. On tho 2nd November 1833 tlio Government of Bombay received
information from tboir agent at Mnskat,
Volumo 32 of 1833-1831.
as also from tho Resident in tho Persian
Gulf, that two American ships of war had visited tho Port of Mnskat
with tho object of entering into a Troaty of Alliance with His Highness tho
Imam, and of establishing an agont at Zanzibar on tho oast coast of
Afrioa.
321-E. On referring to tho only engagements in existence betweon His
Highness and tho British Government, viz., a cowlnamah, or written engage­
ment, from tho Imam of Maskat, dated 12th October 1798, and an agreement
entered into by tho Imam with Captain Malcolm, dated 18th January 1800,
it did not appear that His Highness was prevented from entering into such
engagements with foreign Slates. The Government of Bombay, however,
deemed it proper to bring the above circumstances to tho notice of the Governor-
General, and in reply they wore informed that His Lordship coincided with
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them in opinion as to the right of tho Imam to enter into such engagements
with foreign Powers.
321-F. In the month of April His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore,
the Naval Commnndor-in-Cbief, transmitted to the Bombay Government copy
of a report from Captain Hart of His Majesty’s Ship Imogern, of his proceed­
ings at Zanzibar, to which place ho had been deputed to the Imam of Maskat,
by the Vice-Admiral.
On reaching Zanzibar Captain Hart waited on His Highness the Imam,
and in the course of conversation His Highness introduced tho subject of the
Treaty, which he said he had entered into with the Americans, but not with
any intention of injuring or forgetting his best friends, tbe English, to whom
he felt so muoh attached, that he was willing to give them everything oven his
country if they wished it. That as for the Americans ho cared nothing for
them, nor were they anything to him. That if there was anything in the
Treaty, which Captain Hart objected to, he would immediately alter or break
and 6end it to America ; His Highness requested Captain Hart to peruse the
Treaty and give him his opinion on it, and said that he was ready to make any
alteration which that officer might suggest.
321-G. This Treaty consists of nine articles concluded on the 21st Septem­
ber 1833, on the part of America by Mr. Edmund Roberts who is stated to be
only appointed by Letters Patent, under the signature of tho President and
seal of the United States of America, the substance of which is as follows:—
Art. 1. Perpetual peace between the United States of America and the
Imam of Maskat.
Art. 2. Citizens of the United 8tates to have free liberty to enter all
ports belonging to the Imam with their cargoes of whatever
kind, to sell or trade as they think proper, the Imam not to fix
a price there on, or on the merchandize to be taken in return, the
sale of military stores, ammunition, etc., being reserved to the
Imam alone at Zanzibar, but in all other ports of the Imam
they may be sold without restriction.
Art. 3. Five per cent, duties to be paid on the cargoes of vessels of the
United States entering any of the ports belonging to the Imam
in full consideration of all import and export duties, tonnage,
license to the trade, pilotage, anchorage or any other charge
whatever—no charge on cargo on board unsold and re-exported,
nor shall any charge be made on any vessel entering the ports of
the Imam, for the purpose of refitting refreshments.