File 13/3 'SLAVERY & SLAVE RUNNING: MIRZA BIN BARKAT' [‎35r] (80/266)

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impracticable. Political relations with the Sheikh of Fujairah
would have the effect of linking the territory of the Muscat Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
with the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ,
(ill). I would differ to some extent from the view£
expressed in the letter under reference, that this is not the time
to negotiate/treaty, I know that in expressing this view, Major
Hickinbotham was thinking of the *orla situation. But from the
more local point of view, I should say that this is an excellent
opportunity to get whatever treaty we requirei because if the
Sheikh should evince any unwillingness to sign, the piracy question
can be raised, and used as the ostensible excuse for a small dis
play of power politics, while giving us a perfect case for public
consumption,
(iv) , X suggest also That the inducement to sign
presented by an offer of de .lure recognition of the Sheikh’s
independence, is one which becomes less attractive as the Sheikh
becomes dl facto more completely independent,
£
(v) , I do not sec any real objection increasing the
number of trucial sheikhs s it is surely more important that the
maritime truce should cover the whole area, .e can justly claim
that any sheikh who breaks off from the old Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. sheikhdom, has
inherited the responsibilities undertaken by the united sheikhdom.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
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. , Muscat.
Captain,
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