Hamilton Fish to True copy: ANT. VASSALTO , Registrar, June 24, 1873

No. 169. Mr. Fish to General Schenck.

Sir: I give you herewith, for your information, copies of two dispatches addressed to this Department by the consuls of the United States at Malta and Tripoli, respectively, * * which relate to the traffic in slaves between Tripoli and the Levant ports via Malta.

I am, &c.,

Abstract of contents of translation annexed of proceedings before the Malta police-court, instituted by Giacomo Psaila, the adjutant of police, on November 14, 1872.

Sworn statement of Adjutant Psaila, presenting Her bin Bubakar, Mohammed Trzeni, Selim bin Ghasciur, and Hmida bin Ibrahim, all arrived from Tripoli by the Trabulus Gharb, for dealing in slaves. The two first had with them 3 female slaves—Hadiga, Zelmia, and Amina. The third 6—Zara, Zara, Fatima, Zara, Zara, and Fatima, or Zara. The last 4—Mizghuda, Mabraka, of 5 years, Salma, an infant, and Hdÿa. Representations of accused to adjutant, pp. 1–4.

Statements of the accused to the court. They all plead not guilty, pp. 4–9.

Testimony, pp. 10–38.

Mohammed Iscemli, of Tripoli; knows accused personally; women with them not slaves, p. 10.

Angelo Abela, of Malta, and Angelo Borg, of Malta, belonging to the Trabulus Gharb, acted as interpreters when Adjutant Psaila examined accused, and women with them, on the arrival of the Trabulus Gharb. Statements of the conversation, pp. 11–16.

Hdiga, of Tripoli; goes with her daughters to join her son at Constantinople; is not a slave, p. 16.

Amina, her daughter; same statement, p. 18.

Hjenia, sister of Amina; same statement, p. 20.

Zara; is wife of the accused, Selim, p. 22.

Fatima; is sister of Zahra, and no slave, p. 22.

Zara; is daughter of Selim and Zara, p. 24.

Fatima, of Tripoli; no slave; goes to find a place as hired servant at Constantinople. Zara and Zara, born in Soudan; same statement, pp. 25–28.

Fidaga, born in Soudan; goes with Misonda, her sister, to join the latter’s husband, p. 29.

Misonda; has been in voluntary service of Pasha, of Tripoli; goes to join her husband, p. 30.

Naounr Duhany, swears to translations of passes borne by Mabraka, Madigia, Ahmet Amish, Selem, Zara, and Mehmett Hamula, for themselves and certain persons with them, pp. 31–38.

Decision of the court; charge not sustained; accused discharged, p. 38.

Proceedings before the Malta police court.

(Translation.)

The 14th day of November, 1872, Adjutant Giacomo Psaila, son of the late Vincenzo, born and residing in Valletta, states on oath in the presence of Her Ben Bubakar Mohammed Fizeni, Selim bin Ghasciur, and Hmida bin Ibraim, the whole being explained to them in Arabic by Elia Sciumama, sworn interpreter:

I have the honor to report to this court that, on the eleventh instant, the Turkish steamer Trabulus Gharb, Capt. Vincenzo Azzopardi, arrived in this port from Tripoli, and that, amongst the passengers, there were these four individuals, whom I present before this court, on a summons, and whose names are Her bin Bubakar, Mohammed Fizeni, Selim bin Ghasciur, and Hmida bin Ibraim; and I charge each of them with dealing in slaves, they having female slaves with them. Her bin Bubakar left Constantinople for Tripoli, bearing a letter from Lies Effendi, which he delivered to the person to whom it was addressed, and he left Tripoli for Constantinople in the company of Mohammed Fizeni, taking with them, and under their charge, on board the said steamer, three female slaves, namely, Hadigia, Zehnia, and Amina, to deliver them to said Lies Effendi at Constantinople. Selim bin Ghasciur embarked at Tripoli in the same steamer, six women named Zara, Zara, Fatima, Zara, Zara, and another whose name is also Zara or Fatima, I do not know which. In regard to the first four, he told me that they composed his family, and in regard to the last two he told me that they had been delivered to him at Tripoli by Seih Ghali, to be delivered by him to Selim Effendi at Constantinople. Hmida bin Ibraim has four women, namely, Mizghuda, Mabraka, a girl aged five years, Salma, an infant, and Hdeja, aged eighteen years, sister of Mizghuda; and he stated that they were placed under his charge at Tripoli by the Pasha, to be delivered by him at Constantinople to the son of the said Pasha, adding that he is a police officer at Tripoli. I produce five teschere or passports, or rather passes, relative to the accused and the women mentioned in this report, and two other passports. I request that I may be permitted to produce the evidence in support of my report, in order that, the facts being inquired into, justice may be administered.

GIACOMO PSAILA, Adjutant.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, the court explained in Maltese to the accused Her bin Bubakar the nature of the charge against him, and warned him that he is not bound to answer any question, or to criminate himself; that he could, if he wished, be assisted by advocates and legal procurators, and that anything he might say could be received in evidence against him. Subsequently the accused, Her bin Bubakar, without being sworn, answered as follows in Arabic, through the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama:

My name is Her bin Bubakar; my age is about thirty years; I was born in Bar-el-ghabid; at present in this island en route for Constantinople; I am a domestic servant; the name of my father, who is living, is Bubakar.

Being then asked by the court whether and what he wished to answer, he said in Arabic, without being sworn:

I am innocent.

HER BIN his + own mark. BUBAKAR.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, the court explained to the accused, Mohammed Fizeni, the nature of the charge against him, and warned him that he is not bound to answer any question, or to criminate himself; that he could, if he wished, be assisted by advocates and legal procurators, and that anything he might say could be received in evidence against him. Subsequently the accused, Mohammed Fizeni, without being sworn, answered as follows, in Arabic, through the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama:

My name is Mohammed Fizeni; my age is about twenty years; I was born at Fezzan, and reside at Tripoli; I am a domestic servant; my father’s name is Ottman, and he is alive.

Being then asked by the court whether and what he wished to answer, he said, in Arabic, and without being sworn, through the said interpreter:

I am not guilty.

(His signature in Arabic.)

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, the court explained, in Arabic, to the accused, Selim bin Ghasciur, the nature of the charge against him, and warned him that he is not bound to answer any question, or to criminate himself; that he could, if he wished, be assisted by advocates and legal procurators, and that anything he might say could be received in evidence against him. Subsequently the accused, Selim bin Ghasciur, answered as follows, in Arabic, and without being sworn:

My name is Selim bin Ghasciur; my age is thirty-five years; I was born at Kirkna, and reside at Tripoli; at present in this island en route for Constantinople; the name of my father, who is alive, is Mohammed bin Ghasciur; I am a seaman.

Being then asked by the court whether and what he wished to answer, he stated in Arabic, and without being sworn, through the said interpreter:

I have my family with me, and I am not guilty of the crime with which I am charged.

SELIM BIN his + own mark. GHASCIUR.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, the court explained, in Arabic, to the accused Hmida bin Ibraim, the nature of the charge against him, and warned him that he was not bound to answer any question, or to criminate himself; that he could, if he wished, be assisted by advocates and legal procurators, and that anything he might say could be received in evidence against him. Then the accused, Hmida bin Ibraim, without being sworn, answered as follows in Arabic, the whole being interpreted in Italian by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumma:

My name is Hmida bin Ibraim. My age is thirty-eight years. I was born and reside at Tripoli. I am police officer, charged with the conveyance of the mails. The name of my father, who is dead, was Ibraim.

Being then asked by the court whether and what he wished to say in answer to the charge, he stated in Arabic through the said interpreter:

I am not guilty.

HMIDA BIN his + own mark. IBRAIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

The 14th day of November, 1872, Mohammed Iscemli, son of the late Hag-Mustafa, 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 knew each of the parties accused at Tripoli. They were on board the steamer Trabulus Gharb. Her bin Bubakar and Mohammed Fizeni have three white women, who are proceeding to Constantinople to join the son of one of them. They are not slaves. Selim bin Ghasciur has four women with him—one is his wife, another his daughter, another his wife’s sister, and the other a servant. With them there are two others, one of whom had gone to Tripoli from Constantinople, and on his return to Constantinople she is taking her sister with her. Hmida bin Ibraim is a police officer at Tripoli. He is accompanying four women, namely, two sisters, and two little children of one of them. Their said mother had come to Tripoli from Constantinople together with them, and from Tripoli she was now taking her sister to Constantinople. What I have stated I knew at Tripoli, and it was confirmed on board by the parties accused and by the women themselves.

MOHAMMED his + own mark. ISCEMLI.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, Angelo Abela, son of Felice, born and residing at Cospicua, stated on oath, in Maltese, in presence of the accused, the whole being explained to the said accused in Arabic by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama:

On Monday last the adjutant, Giacomo Psaila, came on board the Turkish steamer Trabulus Gharb, on which I am a seaman, in the great harbor of Valletta, which steamer had arrived from Tripoli. He wished to see all the passengers, and to know to whom they belonged. The accused, Selim, said to the adjutant that four of the women who were on board that steamer composed his family, and that he had been requested to take in his company the other two, who had been intrusted to his care at Tripoli by the shih, to convey them to the son of the same shih at Constantinople. The other accused, Hmida, said that four women had been intrusted to him by the pasha of Tripoli, and that he was to deliver them at Constantinople to the son of the same pasha. The adjutant continued to speak with the passengers, but I left them to attend to my own business, and therefore I can say nothing else. I cannot say what was said by the passengers on board the steamer, because I am ignorant of their language. Neither am I aware of any circumstance from which I can infer that the women who embarked at Tripoli were slaves. Adjutant Psaila obtained the names of the same men-passengers, and of the women from themselves. I and others of the ship acted as interpreters to Adjutant Psaila and the passengers, so far as we understood Arabic; but neither I nor the others know that language well.

Questioned by Selim, in cross-examination, whether the witness is sure that he heard Selim say that those women were directed to the son of the shih, or to Selim Effendi.

Answer. As far as I remember, he said that he was to take them to the son.

ANGELO his + own mark. ABELA.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

Hmida being asked whether he wished to cross-examine the witness, answered in the negative; and the other accused parties also did the same.

ANGELO his + own mark. ABELA.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

On the 14th day of November, 1872, Angelo Borg, son of the late Giovanni, born and residing at Vittoriosa, stated on oath, in Maltese, in the presence of the accused, the whole being explained to them in Arabic by the sworn interpreter, Elia Sciumama:

I am the boatswain of the Turkish steamer Trabulus Gharb, comingfrom Tripoli to Malta, with goods and passengers. On the arrival of the said steamer in this port Adjutant Psaila went on board and put many questions respecting the passengers. I and Angelo Abela acted as interpreters for him, as far as we understand Arabic. The accused Selem said to the adjutant that four of the women who were on board belonged to him, one being his wife, another his daughter, another his wife’s sister, and the fourth his servant. He also stated that he had been charged by a sheik at Tripoli to accompany two women until their arrival at Constantinople, and he was to deliver them to Selem. The other accused, Hmida, said to the adjutant that he was a police officer, charged with the mails, and that two women and two girls had been intrusted to his care by the pasha of Tripoli, and he was to accompany them until their arrival at Constantinople, and there to deliver them to the son of the same pasha.

ANGELO BORG.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

HDIGIA her + own mark. IBRAIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

AMINA her + own mark. ABRAIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

HZIENA her + own mark. IBRAIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

ZARA BIN her + own mark. GHASCIUR.

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.

FATIMA her + ownmark. MOHAMED.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

ZARA her + own mark. SELIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

FATIMA her +. own mark.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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 onboard 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.

ZARA OF her + own mark. SELIM.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

ZARA her + own mark. ALI.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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 Sciumama, 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.

FIDAJA her +. own mark.

F. Mizzi, Mag’te.

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.

MISONDA her + own mark. ABDEL-KADER.

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:

Chief Araldo.

[Seal of the authority.]

The second, marked B, is of the following tenor:

Permission for traveling.

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:

Chief Araldo.

[Seal of the authority.]

The third, marked Letter C, is of the following tenor:

Permission for traveling.

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:

Special permit.

[Seal of the authority.]

The fourth, marked Letter D, is of the following tenor:

Permission for traveling.

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.

[Seal of the authority.]

The fifth, marked Letter E, is of the following tenor:

Permission for traveling.

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:

Chief Araldo.

[Seal of the authority.

The sixth, marked Letter F, is of the following tenor:

Permission for traveling.

The Ottoman subject, resident in Scutari, merchant, Mahmud Agha, son of Abdulla Rahman, 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.

Special permit and guarantee.

[Seal of the authority.]

The seventh, marked Letter G, is of the following tenor:

Permission of traveling.

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 travel 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.

Special permit.

[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.

Criminal court of the magistrates of judicial police for the island of Malta-Valletta.

Thursday, 14 November, 1872.—Dr. F. Mizzi, 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.

Report of Moors, (suspected to be slaves,) arrived at Malta as stated hereunder.

Report of Moors arrived at Malta as stated hereunder, that is, of those suspected of being slaves