§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, If it is the intention of the Government to send out any person to the East Coast of Africa, to inquire into the truth of the report that there are detained as prisoners, by the Somali tribe, some survivors of the ship St. Abbe, which was wrecked off Tenadi Nuova in 1855?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, in reply, that a deputation, consisting of members of the Royal Geographical Society, including Sir Roderick Murchison, waited upon him at the India Office some time ago, and represented that steps should be taken to inquire into the truth of the report relative to the supposed survivors of the ship St. Abbe. It was suggested by the deputation that the Government should 261 give facilities to a gentleman well acquainted with that part of Africa to make inquiries respecting those persons. The matter was considered by the Council of India, who did not think it right that any facility of that kind should be given, or that the Government should pledge itself in any way, and make such inquiries through an authorized agent of the British Government in a country with which we had no diplomatic relations. However, another suggestion was made, which was that there was a great fair being held at Berbera about this time of the year, and that among the large numbers of persons present there might be means afforded of making inquiries as to the existence of these alleged survivors, and it was suggested that a reward might be offered which should have the effect of bringing the required information. He had communicated with his noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon the subject; and, with the noble Lord's concurrence, he had communicated with the English Resident at Aden, authorizing him to offer a suitable award for any information respecting the subject of the report.