§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, there was a matter of great interest with regard to which the public would be glad to have some more information than they possessed at present. He referred to the Treaty with the Sultan of Zanzibar for the suppression of the Slave Trade in that part of the African coast over which his influence extended. It was known that though the Sultan had at first refused some pressure to induce him to agree to the Treaty, yet that since his agreement to the Treaty he had not only fulfilled its conditions to the letter, but he had gone beyond them. If the Government could give some decided information on the point, it would give satisfaction to the country.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThere can be no doubt that the persuasion which has been brought to bear upon the Sultan of Zanzibar in this matter is one of the most successful operations on record. The Sultan's conversion to the noble Lord's views has been complete. The Sultan signed a Treaty, and since that he has given a most hearty and cordial co-operation in the suppression of the Slave Trade in those regions. We have acknowledged this conduct on the part of the Sultan on several occasions, and recently by presenting him with a considerable number of Enfield rifles—the substantial form in which we have recognized his thorough good faith. But I merely refer to this as showing that we are not insensible to the valuable assistance we have received from the Sultan, and let me add that if slavery is ever to be completely suppressed there, it will, no doubt, be owing mainly to his co-operation.