Year: 1872

WASHINGTON, August 19, 1872.


To-day Rear Admiral Case, Acting Secretary oil
the Navy, signed the sailing orders OF the United
States ship Yantic, at Norfolk and destined for
the East Indian squadron via Suez, to execute en-
route one Of the most important missions that
could be confided to our navy-the first practical
step toward the


SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE
on the East Coast Of Africa. The recent appalling
revelations made in the letters OF Stanley and the
despatcnes OF Livingstone have aroused the British
government to sense of their duty. short time
ago Sir Edward Thornton, the British Minister,
represented to the State Department that the
PRIVILEGES RESERVED BY THE IMAUM OF MuscAT
in his treaty with Great Britain for the suppression
of the slave trade allowing however, his subjects TO
continue to import slaves to be employed as house
servants have been grossly abused that the Brit
ish desired to put an end to so much OF
the treaty as reserved the right to transport DO
mestc slaves by sea within certain limits OF their
own territory. 1t was represented that TINS por-
ton of the treaty was only cover which was used
for keeping up the traflc on the eastern coast OF
Africa and the sooner 1t was abrogated the better
1t would be for the interests OF civilization. The
British Minister was informed that our govein nment
would gladly cooperate in any manner to carry out
such audabe undertaking, and Mr.. Thornton was
also informed that the commander OF the first man.
ofwar of the United States which should visit
Zanzibar or Muscat would be ordered to intimate
to the Sovereign OF that country that the united
States would be glad to that the treaty with
England be cancelled, as there was reason to be-
lieve the instrument was


USED AS A CLOAK AND SHIELD
to continue the slave trade generally in its most
offensive form and with its usual results Of distress
to the individuals kidnapped and to the region
wherein they obtained. These are substan-
TALLY the instructions to Commander Byron Wilson,
OF the Yantc, and the communication of which
to the Imaum of Muscat is to be regarded by the
British government as abrogating SO much or the
treaty as s above referred to.


THE INSPECTION OF THE YANTIC
will take place on Wednesday, and O day or two
thereafter she will set sail for Muscat.


1t was thought best to communicate directly with
the Imaum, and in doing this Commander wilson
will not only be fortified with the authority OF our
government and the approval OF the British Gov
ernment but will present to the Imaum the senti-
ment of the civilized world on the course pursued
by his subjects in perpetuating the slave trade.


The Yantic WILL en- route for the East India squad
ron, stop ut Bombay, Point de Gale, Singapore and
Manila.


In conversation this evening with naval official
he said it was more than likely the British govern
ment spurred by the recent revelations OF Stanley
and Livingstone, would not wait for the arrival or
the Yantlc at Muscat but would move at once to
abrogate the treaty. In the event, therefore, that
the commander OF the Yantic should find the treaty
abrogated he Is to congratulate the Imaum in the
name of this government for having pursued such
an enlightened course. 1t Is hardly probable how
ever that Great Britain would do 80 without first
informing us OF the fact Nothing has been received
at the State department changing the previous re-
| quest.


THE YANTIC


is third rate screw OF 900 tons, and carries three
guns.