First footsteps in East Africa | Page 7

stand still.
The occupation of the port of Berberah has been advised for many
reasons.
In the first place, Berberah is the true key of the Red Sea, the centre of
East African traffic, and the only safe place for shipping upon the
western Erythroean shore, from Suez to Guardafui. Backed by lands

capable of cultivation, and by hills covered with pine and other
valuable trees, enjoying a comparatively temperate climate, with a
regular although thin monsoon, this harbour has been coveted by many
a foreign conqueror. Circumstances have thrown it as it were into our
arms, and, if we refuse the chance, another and a rival nation will not
be so blind.
Secondly, we are bound to protect the lives of British subjects upon this
coast. In A.D. 1825 the crew of the "Mary Ann" brig was treacherously
murdered by the Somal. The consequence of a summary and exemplary
punishment [12] was that in August 1843, when the H.E.I.C.'s
war-steamer "Memnon" was stranded at Ras Assayr near Cape
Guardafui, no outrage was attempted by the barbarians, upon whose
barren shores our seamen remained for months labouring at the wreck.
In A.D. 1855 the Somal, having forgotten the old lesson, renewed their
practices of pillaging and murdering strangers. It is then evident that
this people cannot be trusted without supervision, and equally certain
that vessels are ever liable to be cast ashore in this part of the Red Sea.
But a year ago the French steam corvette, "Le Caiman," was lost within
sight of Zayla; the Bedouin Somal, principally Eesa, assembled a
fanatic host, which was, however, dispersed before blood had been
drawn, by the exertion of the governor and his guards. It remains for us,
therefore, to provide against such contingencies. Were one of the
Peninsular and Oriental Company's vessels cast by any accident upon
this inhospitable shore, in the present state of affairs the lives of the
passengers, and the cargo, would be placed in imminent peril.
In advocating the establishment of an armed post at Berberah no stress
is laid upon the subject of slavery. To cut off that traffic the possession
of the great export harbour is by no means necessary. Whenever a
British cruizer shall receive positive and bona fide orders to search
native craft, and to sell as prizes all that have slaves on board, the trade
will receive a death-blow.
Certain measures have been taken during the last annual fair to punish
the outrage perpetrated by the Somal at Berberah in A.D. 1855. The
writer on his return to Aden proposed that the several clans implicated
in the offence should at once be expelled from British dominions. This
preliminary was carried out by the Acting Political Resident at Aden.
Moreover, it was judged advisable to blockade the Somali coast, from

Siyaro to Zayla, not concluded, until, in the first place, Lieut. Stroyan's
murderer, and the ruffian who attempted to spear Lieut. Speke in cold
blood, should be given up [13]; and secondly, that due compensation
for all losses should be made by the plunderers. The former condition
was approved by the Right Honorable the Governor-General of India,
who, however, objected, it is said, to the money-demand. [14] At
present the H.E. I.C.'s cruizers "Mahi," and "Elphinstone," are
blockading the harbour of Berberah, the Somal have offered 15,000
dollars' indemnity, and they pretend, as usual, that the murderer has
been slain by his tribe.
To conclude. The writer has had the satisfaction of receiving from his
comrades assurances that they are willing to accompany him once more
in task of African Exploration. The plans of the Frank are now publicly
known to the Somali. Should the loss of life, however valuable, be an
obstacle to prosecuting them, he must fall in the esteem of the races
around him. On the contrary, should he, after duly chastising the
offenders, carry out the original plan, he will command the respect of
the people, and wipe out the memory of a temporary reverse. At no
distant period the project will, it is hoped, be revived. Nothing is
required but permission to renew the attempt--an indulgence which will
not be refused by a Government raised by energy, enterprise, and
perseverance from the ranks of merchant society to national wealth and
imperial grandeur.
14. St. James's Square, 10th February, 1856.
FOOTNOTES
[1] It occupies the whole of the Eastern Horn, extending from the north
of Bab el Mandeb to several degrees south of Cape Guardafui. In the
former direction it is bounded by the Dankali and the Ittoo Gallas; in
the latter by the Sawahil or Negrotic regions; the Red Sea is its eastern
limit, and westward it stretches to within a few miles of Harar.
[2] In A.D. 1838, Lieut. Carless surveyed the seaboard of the Somali
country, from Ras