appoint one, and that these two should decide upon
a third member of the board; the decision of this
commission to be final and binding upon both
parties to the question at issue. Mr. Allen, the
United States Consul, chose to represent me in the
matter Mr. Seth A. Pratt, a gentleman of standing at
Zanzibar, who had formerly been United States Consul
at that port. The Government of Zanzibar entrusted
its interests to a Mr. Wilson, at that time its legal
adviser.
Mr. Pratt suggested eight men, from whom a third
arbiter was to be chosen, the list embracing English,
German, Italian, and French gentlemen. As the question
at issue required the introduction of a large
quantity of native testimony, Mr. Pratt, knowing from
long experience the impossibility of getting -a correct
translation of answers through a native interpreter,
had nominated men who understood and spoke the
Swahili language, and had also counted length of
residence in Zanzibar as important, and consequent
acquaintance with the character of the people whose
testimony was to be heard.
The representative of the Government flatly refused
to consider any one of the eight gentlemen suggested
by Mr. Pratt; but demanded and insisted that the
third member of the board should be one of three
whom he named, two of whom in the hearing of Mr.
Pratt had expressed opinions hostile to my interests,
and the third had just receiver! a decoration at the
hands of the Government of Zanzibar for services rendered
them. Mr. Pratt laboured long and earnestly
in order to bring about an agreement as to the third
member ; but at length, finding his efforts balked by
the obstinacy and discourtesy of the gentlemen representing
the Government, he felt called upon to resign
all connection with the matter; so my efforts to settle
the thing by arbitration fell through.
Finding me unwilling to submit to threats and
unwarranted demands for the payment of the entire
sum (yqooo) insisted upon by the Government of Zanzibar,
a communication was received from General Sir
Lloyd Matthews, to the effect that the Government
would be satisfied with the payment of one-half that
amount. Finally, shortly before my departure from
Zanzibar, a request was received by Mr. Allen, to the
effect that I pay to the Government of Zanzibar
“ some substantial sum.”
Among the records of the United States Consulate
at Zanzibar is to be found a letter written during the
height of the incident by General Sir Lloyd Matthews
to Mr. Allen, then acting Consul, in which General
Matthews states over his own signature that it is his
opinion that the desertion of the men was caused not
by any cruelty or unjust act of mine, but by plotting
and intriguing on the part of the Somali, who had
accompanied my expedition, and who, having become
tired of the journey, wished by this means to force a
return.
The Zanzibari who had remained faithful to me
throughout the journey refused to leave me, but continued
to work for me during my stay in Zanzibar.
Most faithful among these were Sururu, my tent-boy,
and Mhahoma, the cook, a cousin of Hamidi. These
men passed a most unpleasant time during my stay,