Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

258 DHOW-CHASING.
from the letter
of Admiral Sir Leopold Heatli,
wliicli accompanied bis observations on that
Report (See Blue-Book, C.B. 1870), that he had
not seen the evidence either, and I further
gather from that letter that that Commission
reported that many mistakes and improper
seizures were made by ofl&cers ; as I am not
one of those
to whom these charges can refer,
seeing that the vessels we captured had slaves
on board and were condemned, I may perhaps
be allowed to show that the mistakes, if any,
were on the part of those who had given
evidence before the Commission.
I am aware that there are many facts
relating to this subject which may reflect,
perhaps, on the Indian authorities, relative to
the view taken by those acting under them,
and which it
might be unbecoming an officer
serving in those seas, though under the orders
only of the British Government, to refer to ; but
I have a copy of a document before me now,
which throws much light on the cause of the
mistakes, and proves those mistakes or
misapprehensions
not to have been on the side of the