Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

446 APPENDIX.
formation, and the
necessarily frequent change
of commanders, who, moreover, are not supphed
with the official reports of those who have preceded
them, as well as to the inefficiency and
nntrustworthiness of the interpreters employed,
who not unfrequently are in league with the
traders, and mislead the commanders of the
squadron.
" Evidence given before your Committee shows
the very great inconvenience and loss resulting
to British residents, and a frequent diversion of
trade into foreign bottoms from the want of
any regular postal communication with Zanzibar
; the mails lying sometimes at Seychelles
for months together, waiting for a chance
vessel. It has been stated to them that a very
small subsidy would suffice to start monthly
steam communication, either with the Seychelles,
distant about 800 miles, in correspondence with
French steamers running from Aden, or from
the latter port direct.
" Your Committee having heard the evidence,
are strongly of opinion that all legitimate means
should be used to put an end altogether to the
East African slave-trade.
" They believe that any attempt to supply
slaves for domestic use in Zanzibar, will always
be a pretext and cloak for a foreign trade, while
the loss of life and the injury caused to main-