THE CONSULAR CORPS. 



313 



about 14,000 Banyans (including those of the 

 Coast), a few Parsees and Portuguese from Goa, 

 and sundry castes of Hindustani Moslems, Kho- 

 jahs, Mehmans, and Borahs, numbering some 

 1200. There are also trifling numbers of free 

 blacks from the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, 

 Unyamwezi, and the Somali country. To this 

 accidental division I will devote the present 

 chapter. 



The Consular corps is represented by three 

 members, who, as usual in these remote Oriental 

 spots, assume, and are allowed to assume, the 

 position of plenipos. The first American official 

 was Mr Richard Palmer, who was succeeded by 

 sundry acting men : the second was Mr Waters, 

 who left in 1844 : then came Mr C. Ward, Mr 

 Webb, and Mr Macmullan. Captain Mansfield 

 now (1859) holding office, is agent to Messrs 

 John Bertram and Co. of Salem. This gentle- 

 man, who took a great interest in the East 

 African Expedition, has had a more extensive 

 experience of the East than his predecessors ; he 

 has also the advantage of being respectable and 

 respected. 



On the part of the Erench Government the 

 first Consul was M. Broquant : he died of fever 

 and dysentery at Zanzibar, and was succeeded by 



