The 14th day of November, 1872, Hdigia, widow of Ibraim Effendi, born and residing at Tripoli, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by the sworn interpreter, E. Sciumama: I have been a widow twelve years. I have three children-two female, and one male, named Lias, who is a clerk in the court at Constantinople. I and my daughters reside at Tripoli, where we live by labor. My son has desired me to join him, in company with his sisters, to live with him at Constantinople, and he recommended the accused Her bin Bubaker to accompany us on the voyage, as he has been an acquaintance of the family a long time. I am not a slave, nor are my daughters slaves, and no one has purchased us. I know that I am free, and my daughters are likewise free. I and they are proceeding to join my son, Elias Effendi, and we desire to continue our voyage. The accused Her has no power over me, nor over my daughters; he is only accompanying us in the voyage, which we are performing of our free will. I brought up the other accused, Mahomed Fizeni, at Tripoli, from his childhood, and as I and my family are proceeding to Constantinople, he is accompanying us to continue living with us at Constantinople, as he did at Tripoli. Neither I nor my daughters in any way depend on the accused, Her and Mohamed Fizeni. The passage-money was sent to me by my son, who called me to him three months ago. He used to send me the money he saved. My said son sent to tell me also, through other persons, that he wished me to join him. I myself gave the money to the accused Her in order to pay for our passage. F. Mizzi, Mag'te. her HDIGIA IBRAIM. own mark. On the 14th day of November, 1872, Amina Ibraim, daughter of the late Ibraim, born and residing at Tripoli, at present in this island en route, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama: I lost my father long ago. I have a sister named Leina; my mother's name is Hdigia. My brother, Elias Effendi, a clerk, domiciled at Constantinople, asked us to join him, he being in the habit of assisting us; and we therefore determined to go to him. The accused Her, an old friend of our family, accompanies us in the voyage, and the other accused Mohamed Fizeni, who was brought up with us from childhood, comes with us. I have not been sold, and I know that I am free. I am proceeding to my brother's, in the company of my mother and sister, and I wish to continue the voyage with them. My brother sent the money to my mother for the passage from Tripoli to Constantinople, and she gave the requisite sum to the accused Her to pay for the passage. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. her AMINA+ABRAIM. own mark. On the 14th day of November, 1872, Hziena, spinster, daughter of the late Ibraim Effendi, born and residing at Tripoli, at present in this island en route, stated on oath, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama: I and my sister Amina lived at Tripoli with our mother, Hdigia. A brother of ours resides in Constantinople, where he is employed as a clerk. He has asked us to go and live with him at Constantinople, and he sent us the requisite sum of money through the accused Her, an old friend of the family, who is to accompany us in the voyage. The other accused, Mohammed Fizeni, who was brought up with us at Tripoli, also comes with us. None of the persons accused has purchased me or my mother or my sister. I am not a slave, and I am well aware that I am free, like my mother and sister. I wish to proceed to the place of our destination. It is true that the said accused persons are accompanying us, according to my brother's instructions, but I do not in the least depend on them. No one has paid any money for the purchase of myself. I am proceeding to Constantinople to join my brother, who wishes to maintain me, as I am his sister; my brother is Elias Effendi. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. her HZIENA + IBRAIM. own mark. On the 14th day of November, 1872, Zara, wife of Selim bin Ghasciur, born in the Soudan, and residing at Tripoli, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being rendered into Italian by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama: I am the wife of the accused Selim bin Ghasciur. her ZARA BIN + GHASCIUR. own mark. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. On the 14th day of November, 1872, Fatima, of Mohammed, born in Constantinople, and residing at Tripoli, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter: The accused Selim bin Ghasciur is the husband of my sister Zara. I am a spinster; my parents are domiciled in Constantinople. I have been two years at Tripoli in my sister's house, and having determined to change my domicile, I and my sister, together with her husband, daughter, and servant, named Zara, are proceeding to Constantinople, where our parents are living. I am not a slave; no one has paid any money for the purchase of myself. Voluntarily and freely I left in the Trabulus Gharb for Malta, in order to proceed to Constantinople, and go to my parents' house, and I wish to leave this island with my sister and her husband, who is nothing else to us but the head of a family, who is taking us to our father. He paid nothing for me, nor is he to take me to any other place than my parents' house. There were two women on board, one named Zara, and the other Fatima, and they are sisters. They requested my sister to allow them to go in her company to Constantinople to their parents' house, as they could not live any longer at Tripoli. They were not purchased, nor do I know that any money was paid for them. I know that I am free, and wish to proceed on the voyage to Constantinople. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. her FATIMA + MOHAMED. own maik. The 14th day of November, 1872, Zara, daughter of Selim, born at Bhir-il-Ghabid, and residing in the Irian, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter: I am the daughter of the accused Selim, and my mother is Zara. I and my parents, together with my mother's sister, are proceeding from Tripoli to Constantinople, where my mother has her parents. No one has paid any money for the purchase of myself. I wish to go to Constantinople with my said parents. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. her ZARA SELIM. own mark. The 14th day of November, 1872, Fatima, daughter of unknown father, of Tripoli, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter, and interpreted to the witness by Hadigia, widow of Ibraim: I have been the servant of Amura, at Tripoli, three years, and am not a slave; and I could leave his service if I pleased to do so. He used to maintain me and give me a salary. Having been requested to send a servant to Siad Ali in Constantinople, to attend to the children, he proposed that I should go to Constantinople, and I voluntarily consented. My new master is also to pay me a salary, besides food and maintenance. I am not a slave, nor has any sum been paid for the purchase of myself. Sidi Amora recommended me to the accused Selim, who is to take me to the place of my destination, and I declare that I freely wish to go with him. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. her FATIMA +. The 14th day of November, 1872, Zara, daughter of Selim, born in Constantinople, and residing at Tripoli, at present at Malta en route, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter: Up to a year ago I was a salaried servant with Selim in Constantinople, and I remained with him many years. He proposed that I should go and serve in his daughter's house, and I voluntarily consented, and proceeded to Tripoli in the capacity of servant, where I also had a salary. I determined to return to the service of Selim at Constantinople, and for this purpose I embarked on board the Turkish steamer Trabulus Gharb, with recommendation from my mistress to the accused Selim. I am not a slave, and I voluntarily act as servant, and not because I am forced, and I wish to proceed on my voyage. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. ber ZARA OF SELIM. own mark. The 14th day of November, 1872, Zara, daughter of Ali, born in the Soudan, residing at Tripoli, at present at Malta en route, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter: I am not the slave of any one. No one has paid any money for the purchase of myself. I left Tripoli on board the Trabulus Gharb with the family of the accused, Selim, as they are going to settle in Constantinople. I am going in search of employment as servant. I know that I am free, and wish to proceed to Constantinople. F. Mizzi, Mag'te. her ZARA ALI. own mark. The 14th day of November, 1872, Fidaja, daughter of unknown father, born in the Soudan, and residing at Tripoli, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumana, sworn interpreter: My sister Misonda, residing at Constantinople, who has two daughters, lately proceeded to Tripoli, and I go from Tripoli to Constantinople with her. We left Tripoli on board the Trabulus Gharb. My said sister's husband is at 'Constantinople. I wish to proceed on the voyage with her, and am not forced to travel. The Pasha of Tripoli recommended my sister to the accused, Hmida, with whom she goes, and I go with her to Constantinople. F. Mizzi, Mag'te. her FIDAJA + own mark. The 14th day of November, 1872, Misonda, wife of Abdel-Kader, born at Sukua, residing in Constantinople, stated on oath, in Arabic, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the court in Italian by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter: I and my husband and many of my family are voluntarily in the service of the family of the Pasha of Tripoli, who has a son residing in Constantinople. From Constantinople I left for Tripoli, whence I took my sister Fidaja, with whom I return to Constantinople in the service of the pasha's son. The accused, Hmida, was requested by the Pasha of Tripoli to take charge of me until my arrival at Constantinople. I am not a slave; no one has paid any money for the purchase of myself. I work voluntarily, and live by my labor. When I do not wish to remain any longer in the service of the pasha I can leave it. her MISONDA + ABDEL-KADER. own mark. F. MIZZI, Mag'te. The 14th of November, 1872, Naum Duhany, son of the late Michele, born in Constantinople, residing at Malta, stated on oath, in Italian, in the presence of the accused, the whole being interpreted to them in Arabic by Elia Sciumama, who is also sworn: I am able to faithfully translate the seven documents which are shown to me by the court, (alluding to those produced by the adjutant of police, Giacomo Psaila.) The first one, marked Letter A, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. The Ottoman subject, resident in the capital, of the female sex, named Mabruka, daughter of Adballa, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow her to travel without hindrance, and to afford her all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 4. Good for the aforesaid person only. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary : The second, marked B, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in the capital, of the female sex, named Nodigia, daughter of Adballa, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow her to travel without hindrance, and to afford her all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 4. Good for the aforesaid person only. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary : The third, marked Letter C, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in Tripoli, of Barbary, an employé of police, Ahmet Amish, son of Ibraim, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow him to travel without hindrance, and to afford him all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, 27 Rabiel ul Sani. Good for the aforesaid person only. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary : The fourth, marked Letter D, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in Tripoli, of Barbary, belonging to the tribe of Abassi, named Salem, son of Mehmett, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow him to travel without hindrance, and to afford him all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 7. Good for his family, composed of four persons-altogether five. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary : Chief Araldo. The fifth, marked Letter E, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in the capital, of female sex, named Zara, daughter of Abdalla, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow her to travel without hindrance, and to afford all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 3. Good for one person only. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary : The sixth, marked Letter F, is of the following tenor: Permission for traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in Scutari, merchant, Mahmud Agha, son of Abdulla Rabman, having occasion to leave Tripoli for the capital, the employés of police and others are required to allow him to travel without hinderance, and to afford him all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 8. The black woman Fatma, the black woman Mabruka, the son Sait, 4 individuals; good for four only. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary. The seventh, marked Letter G, is of the following tenor: Permission of traveling. [Seal of the authority.] The Ottoman subject, resident in Tripoli, of Barbary, merchant by profession, named Mehmett Hamuli, son of Haggi Mustafa, having occasion to leave Tripoli, of Barbary, for Alexandria, the employés of police and others are required to allow him to trave without hindrance, and to afford him all needful aid and protection. Wherefore the present permission for traveling has been issued. Year 1289, Ramasan 8. His wife, who is black, his sister, who is black-three individuals-good for other three individuals with him. The officer charged with passports at Tripoli, in Barbary. [Seal of the authority.] I state that the said seven documents, from letter A to letter G, have been faithfully translated, in my present deposition, from the Turkish language into Italian. NAOUM DUHANEY. F. Mizzi, Mag'te. Criminal court of the magistrates of judicial police for the island of Malta-Valletta. [Extract from the volume of decisions existing in the said court.] THURSDAY, 14 November, 1872.-Dr. F. Mızzı, Magistrate.-The Police Adjutant Giacomo Psaila vs. Her bin Bubakar, Mohammed Fizeni, Selem bin Ghasciur, Hmida bin Ibraim. The court having examined the acts of instruction against Her Bin Bubakar, Mohammed Fizeni, Selem bin Ghasciur, and Hmida bin Ibraim, decides that there is not sufficient ground for committing the accused for trial, and therefore discharges them, and directs that the acts of instruction be, within three days, transmitted to the crown advocate. True copy: G. XERRY, Clerk. ANT. VASSALTO, Registrar. [Copy.] POLICE OFFICE, Valletta, February 23, 1872. SIR In compliance with your directions I have the honor to report that on the 17th instant, immediately on the arrival of the steamer Trabulus Garb from Tripoli, it having been stated to me that several black women and two boys were on board of her, and that a passage for Constantinople was being procured for them, I proceeded on board to verify whether they were slaves, and I found that nine females of different ages and two boys, some of whom spoke the Arabic and some the Turkish language, were on board. Although the former fully understood the Maltese, yet, the cause of my visit to them being of paramount importance, I considered myself bound in duty to employ a person who could speak both their languages in order to convey to them with greater facility and precision the good intentions of the British Government in regard to slavery, and, consequently, through the interpretation of one Francesco Sultana, I requested them to inform me whether they were slaves, and, in the affirmative, if they were willing to gain their freedom and remain in the island in an asylum which government would provide until an occupation could be provided for them. In answer to these proposals they one and all declared that they were free, and had been a long time in the service of their respective masters, and would not leave them, they having been always, and under every circumstance, well treated by them. The adjutant of marine police, previous to my arrival on board, had already paid them a visit for the same object. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, R. BONELLO, Esq., Superintendent of Police, &c. GIACOMO PSAILA, Adjutant. POLICE OFFICE, Valletta, October 30, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to report, for your information, that, in accordance with your instructions, on the arrival of each of the vessels mentioned in the accompanying list, I proceeded on board, and, in the presence of Acting Inspector Gerada and SubInspectors Staines and Inglott, through an interpreter employed on each occasion, I obtained the following answers from the persons marked in column No. 4 of said list, whom I have, in compliance with the said instructions, individually and separately examined, viz: "That they embarked at Tripoli, and came to Malta of their own free will, and were proceeding to Stamboul of their own free will;" each expressing herself in the following words, which I fully understood: "Iena inhopp inruh fi Stamboul;" meaning, "I like to proceed to Stamboul.” And, on being asked whether on board there was any one who was their master, or if on arrival at Stamboul there would be any one who would be their master, they each answered negatively. I have further to add that several of those women were accompanied by men who |
