'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎130v] (260/344)

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Part VI— Chap. XLIX.
CHAPTER XLIX.
PERPETIAL TREATY OF PEACE SIGNED BY THE PIRATE
CHIEF, 1853.
444. In view of the lapse of the period for which the truce of 1843 was
agreed to, Captain A. Kemhall, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , corresponded
with the Trucial Chiefs on the advisability of continuing the truce for a
limited or agreeing to a perpetual peace. The replies he received are
summarised and his views expressed in his letter to the Bombay Government
dated 16th September 1852 :—
I have accordingly the honor to submit herewith^ for the information of the Eight
j at 4 Hon'ble the Governor in Council, translations of
Sheik of Rusnlkhymah. the communications I have already received from
„ of Aboothabn. the subscribing parties (the Sheikh of Amulgavine
" of Eima'um. excepted) from which a judgment may be
formed of the general sense of the Arabian Chiefs
and their intention as to the renewal of the existing engagement, or the substitution of a
peace in lieu of it; you will observe that the minor Sheikhs of Ejmaum and Debaie declare
their willingness to be guided entirely in the decision of this question by the wishes which
Government may be pleased to express regarding it, while those of Rusul Khymah and
Aboothabu propose to defer its discussion until my visit to the coast on the next occasion.
2. I think it not improbable that the more powerful Joasmee and Beniyas leaders at our
expected interview may with a show of earnestness seek to take credit to themselves for
relinquishing one means of coercing their weaker neighbours, to whose allegiance formerly they
sometimes laid claim, as well as for abandoning a privilege they would declare to be so
consistent with Arab honor of lending naval aid to relations or allies who may not be
parties to their common agreement; and more particularly may Sheik Sultan bin Suggur refer
to his superior power of retaliating at sea injuries which may be inflicted upon his subjects by
his rival Saeed bin Tahnoon on land. These Chiefs, however, will be found, I believe, to
be no less accessible to reason now than heretofore. Their arguments would be fairly met
by the considerations that the issue at war must at all times be doubtful more especially of
hostilities of an aggressive nature which would inevitably give rise to a confederacy against
the assailant—that interference in the quarrels of foreign belligerents (by ranging them as
auxiliaries on opposite sides) must have the effect of course of bringing them into collision
which each other, while a restraint freely adopted by all could under no circumstances affect
their individual honor and finally that a superiority of maritime resources with reference
to the legitimate avocations of the Arabian tribes must imply at the same time a greater
vulnerability to the attacks of an enterprizing enemy.
3. In anticipating thus their affected scruples, I should observe, that if adduced at
all they would be so equally whether the matter to be determined were the renewal of the
truce for a limited period or the establishment of a peace in perpetuo; but I have no
hesitation in expressing an opinion that the advantages they have experienced from the
maintenace of maritime tranquillity in the security of the pearl fishery, and in the safe
prosecution of their trade in all quarters during the past 18 years are too highly appreciated
Sheik Sultan bin Suggur in 1837,himself proposed ^ ^ diiefs concerned to permit of their
the substitution of a permtment peace for the mari- offering a serious objection to whichever arrange-
time truce vide letter from Officiating Resident ment may be preferred by Government. There ia
to Government No. 83 of 16th September 1837. i, -j ** • i • .i c ih
^ however one consideration involving the continu
ance or cessation of their annual presents to which, as having attracted notice in 1843 I
would beg leave to recall your attention. The practice of bestowing the gifts in question
during the periodical visits of the Resident to the piratical coast is, I submit, both expedient
and desirable as furnishing, as well the occasion to remind the Chiefs severally of their
obligations, as constituting a mark of the satisfaction of Government with their due
observance, and I respectfully hope therefore that I may be authorized to announce their
intended distribution for the future to all those who during the preceding year may have
faithfully acted up to their engagements.
4. Presuming that the success of the ten years' truce now about to expire is deemed
to be conclusive as overruling the objections which during the previous years of its existence,
it was supposed might operate against its further extension, and as recommending now the
establishment in its stead of a permanent peace, I beg to remind you that some modification
of the terms of the original Agreement would be necessitated by such a change, to which
the prior confirmation of Government would appear called for. In transmitting herewith
English and Arabic drafts of an amended treaty which I have framed to answer the object
contemplated and which I propose should be presented to the Arabian Chiefs in the event of its
meeting the approval of the Right Hon'ble the Governor in Council.