Abdullah

Grande-Bretagne^ MohéU. 243

GRANDE-BRETAGNE, MOHELl

Convention relative à la suppression du commerce des esclaves; signée à Doani, le 24 octobre 1882*).

Pari Paper [3702] i883.

Her Majestj the Queen of the UDited Eingdom of Great Britain aDd Ireland, and Saltan Abder Rhaman bin Saeed, Saltan of Mohilla, being désirons to co-operate for the extinction of ail Traffîc in Slaves and the eventual abolition of slavery, hâve resolved to conclnde a Convention for tlie pnrpose of attaining thèse objecta, and with this view hâve named as their Plenipotentiaries , that is to saj:

Her M^jestj the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Frédéric Holmwood, Bsqnire, Her Mtgestj^s Consul for the dominions of the Saltan of Zanzibar, and Acting Consul for the Comoro Islands;

And the Sultan of Mohilla, Abood bin Sivandin al Moali;

Who, having communicated to eaoh other their respective powers and fnll anthoritj to negotiate, hâve agreed npon and concluded the foUowing Articles: —

Art. I. The Sultan of Mohilla engages to forbid the bringing or importing of slaves iuto Mohilla, and undertakes to upbold this prohibition bj law with the strictest vigilance. Ail persons coming or being brought into bis dominions from henceforward are and shall be absolutely free.

Art. II. The Saltan of Mohilla authorizes British cruizers to seize ail vessels belonging to his subjects, wherever foand, with anj slave or with slave fittings on board, or in event of there being reason to suspect that any vessel has recentlj carried slaves; ail such seizures, including vessel, slaves, cargo, and any persons implicated in the violation of this Treaty, may be dealt with by the nearest or most convenient British authority having Admirality jurisdiction, in accordance with the rules and instructions of his Government.

Art. III. The Sultan of Mohilla engages to prohibit from henceforward the sale, purchase, or transfer of slaves in his dominions (the transfer of slaves of deceased persons to their banâ fide inheritors alone excepted).

Art. lY. The Sultan of Mohilla undertakes to appoint a Registrar who shall keep a register of ail slaves in his dominions, together with the names of their roasters, and of such transfers as may take place in accordance with Article III of this Convention. AU slaves not so registered Within six months from the date of this Convention shall be entitled to freedom.

Art. V. The Saltan of Mohilla engages to appoint spécial times for hearing any complaints which slaves may désire to bring before him, and to allow any slave who may suffer injustice or ill - treatment from, or with

*) La ratification de cette Convention été signée par S. M. la Reine de la Grande-Bretagne le 28 février 1883.

244 Grande- Bretagne , Mahéli.

tho connivance of, his master, to appeal personallj to him, and in event of any complaint of ill - treatment or gross injustice being proved , such slave shall be freed forthwith.

Art. VI. The Sultan of Mohilla accords to the British Consul, or to any Gousular officer who may be authorized bj him to visit his dominions, the right to visit ail places in thc country, and to inspect ail plantations therein ; also to hâve free accès to tho register of slaves , with liberty to hear ail complaints of slaves, and to call before him the complainants or any other slaves he may désire to examine, togethcr with their masters and such witnesscs as he may require, the Sultan dcputing a disinterested and compétent person, with anthority to assist him in such inqui^es, and, in event of thc Consul or such Consular officer finding sufBcient proof that any slave is by the terms of this Convention entitled to manumission be may free him forthwith.

Art. VII. And, furthermore, the Sultan of Mohilla engages, after a fixed period, namely, from the 4th day of August, 1889, total ly to aboliah slavcry throughout his dominions, and he undertakes to promulgale a Law, the text of which shall be annexed to this Treaty, ordaining tbat the institution of slavery shall cease to exist within his dominions on the said 4th day of August, 1889, from which date ail persons in the country sball be absolntely free.

Art. VIII. And Abder Rhaman bin Saeed, Sultan of Mohilla, hereby engages and déclares that this Convention is and shall be binding upon himself and upon his hoirs and successors.

Art. IX. The présent Treaty shall be ratified and shall come into opération when notification is made to the Sultan of Mohilla of its ratification by Her Majesty the Queen.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries hâve signed tbe same, and hâve affixed thereto their seals.

Donc at Doani, Mohilla Island, this twenty-fourth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighty - two.

Fred^, Holmioood, (Signature of Abood bin Sivandin al Moali in Arabie)

This Treaty is ratified.

(Signature of the Sultan of Mohilla in Arabie.)

draHde-' Bretagne. 445