"تقرير عن القبائل العربية المجاورة لعدن" [و‎‎٣‎٦] (٤٠٤/٧٦)

THE ’AULAKl'.
59
Shaikh Mohsin bin Farfd manifested a disposition to
interfere in Wahidi affairs, but, failing to receive any encourage*
ment from the Residency, apparently desisted.
He also endeavoured to induce Government to give him
monetary assistance towards improving the Talh road from
Dathfna : it was pointed out to him that he was the person
who stood to profit by the undertaking, and he was advised
to carry it out himself.
There was a large influx of Upper ’Aulakf visitors between
July and September, the most important of whom was Shaikh
Ruwais brother of Shaikh Mohsin bin Farid.
There was some desultory fighting between both the
Sultan and Shaikh of the Upper ’Aulakis and some of the
Dathfna tribes.
Lower ’Aulaki'.
In October 1855 a treaty (No. LXI) was made with
Sultdn Munassar bin Bubakr Mahdf of the Lower ’Aulakf,
whereby he bound himself to prohibit the importation of slaves
into his country from Africa.
The Sultan, as well as his son ’Abdalla, was murdered in
July 1863, and was succeeded by his cousin Bubakr bin
’Abdalla.
The latter always exhibited a friendly spirit towards the
British Government, but, owing to the slender means which
he possessed of enforcing his authority over his tribe, he was
not always able to prevent vessels wrecked on his shores from
being plundered. An instance occurred in the case of the
American barque “ Harvester,” which, on being abandoned
by the captain and crew, was burnt and plundered in 1870.
There was, however, nothing to show that the Sultdn was
implicated in the matter, but every reason to believe that
it took place in direct opposition to his wishes. On visiting
Aden some months later, he bound himself by an engagement
to use his best endeavours to prevent outrages in future, and
to protect and convey, if possible, to Aden any shipwrecked
seamen who might need his assistance. This engagement
was ratified on nth December 1871, and a copy is attached
(Appendix B).
Up to the present date there has been constant com
munication between the Lower ’Aulakf and Aden Residency,
and the Sultan or his sons have frequently visited Aden.