government notice sent to its provinces regarding
emancipated slaves arriving at Ottoman ports from Libya
and being characterized as 'servants'.
Ottoman opposition to black slave trade was based on
edicts from the Sultan and a formal law was enacted
in 1889. A very good summary of the situation is
contained in the introduction to a book on the subject
by Y. Hakan Erdem of Boğaziçi University in Istanbul:
Slavery in the Ottoman Empire and Its Demise 1800-1909
Up to now, 'Bab-ı âli' (Ottoman Government) has considered the idea
of such an Arab sheikh in Crete acting as a mediator in matters such as
this to be inappropriate. Furthermore, it seeks to preserve the
agreement made with the State of England from improper
implementation.
Therefore, the first thing to be done is to determine whether the
emancipation documents are tainted or not. The places in the Ottoman
dominions where male and female Negroes from the coast of Africa
arrive are many and varied. So these incidents are clearly not limited
to Crete.
In order to carefully screen Negro prisoners who lack emancipation
documents from the Provinces of Tripoli and Benghazi and who
appear at any Ottoman port characterized as 'servants', officers on
the ship will immediately demand to see the emancipation documents.
Those male and female Negroes who fail to show such documents,
or who claim an excuse, or who do not match the description on the
documents will not be released to their patrons.
Instead, the Negroes will be given their freedom and sustenance and
those officials who act in a contrary manner will be reported right
away to Bab-ı âli for legal measures. In addition, the Gendarmerie
and all coastal provinces will be notified and this will be made known
to Crete, the provinces of Tripoli and Benghazi, and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, as well.
Date 1 Muharrem 1302 and date 9 October 1300 (1884)
//END of PART II/FINAL//
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