'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎117] (136/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
117
or the entire restitution of the plundered property. After much
negotiation, goods to the value of 7,808 dollars were restored,
and the Sultan passed a bill, at twelve months' sight, to Com
mander Haines, for the remainder, 4,192 dollars. Having thus
settled the primary object of his mission, Commander Haines
succeeded in obtaining from the Sultan, who dreaded an attack
from Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a written bond, dated the 23rd of January,
that he would cede the peninsula to the British in the following
March, in consideration of an annual pension of 8,700 dollars
but, before this could be embodied in a treaty, a plot had been
formed by the Sultan's son for the seizure of the papers and
person of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. after the final interview. In
telligence of this meditated treachery having reached Com
mander Haines, the interview was evaded, and he proceeded to
Bombay.
On his arrival, Commander Haines' proposals were laid
before the Government, who approved all the steps he had
taken, and, in October, 1838, on the termination of the monsoon,
he was despatched in the 4 Coote,' Commander Denton, with a
small detachment of the Bombay European Regiment, to take
possession of Aden according to the terms agreed upon with
the chief. After touching at Maculla, Commander Haines
arrived before Aden on the 24th of October, and forthwith
addressed the Sultan, demanding the fulfilment of his contract;
but his requisition was met with language and conduct the
most violent and insulting. " I am," so wrote the Sultan's son,
44 above my father and you. If you come to the gate I will
permit you to enter, and then be upon your head ; such is the
law of the Bedouins." The Sultan refused to allow the plun
dered property, which had formerly been restored, to be removed
from Aden ; he also issued orders that the 'Coote' should not
be supplied with water and provisions. At length, on the 20th
of November, his people committed an act of open aggression.
The 4 Coote's' pinnace was sent to reconnoitre a party of
Bedouins on camels, when they fired upon the seamen, and
some bullets struck the boat. On the pinnace's return it was
again despatched to the shore, with the launch and gig, under
Commander Denton, upon which the forts opened fire, when
the boats returned to the ship without loss. The same evening
a party, commanded by Acting-Lieutenant B. Hamilton and
Lieutenant Western of the Engineers, took possession of a
small island which commanded the pass, and mounted a nine-
pounder. On the following morning this fort was reinforced
by all the boats' crews under Commander Denton, and fire was
opened on the pass, by which a large body of men were driven
back. On the following day the gun and party were removed.
# Bombay Book of Treaties, p. 282.