Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS. 263
other places, is it not preposterous to talk of
respect for
dhows having, so-called, "domestic
slaves" on board and on their way to the
northern markets ? I am sure that every officer
who has been on the African coast, and has had
any experience of the trade there, will agree
with me that, not one in a thousand of those on
board are " domestic slaves," or ever return to
Zanzibar territory again.
Slaves, as we have already said, are marketable
articles, kidnapped, stolen, or purchased to be
sold at markets, without or beyond the
dominions of the flag the vessel is flying, and
nothing can
make "domestic slaves" of them,
but if six, or any, such are allowed to each
dhow, you may as well withdraw the
squadron
engaged in the suppression of the traffic altogether,
as all would be conveyed to the northern
markets in that way.
"Domestic slaves" are servants, labourers,
or artificers, such as are to be found in every
country where slavery is allowed, and when they
are on the high seas under the flag of that
country they are not to be interfered with;