'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎199] (241/733)

MUSKAT.
199
In consequence of this proceeding, a strong application was made to
the Bombay Government by the underwriters in India, to take imme
diate measures to procure the restoration of the plundered property.
Accordingly the Resident, having received the instructions of his Go
vernment, proceeded to Muskat on board the schooner Fly, accompanied
by Commodore Collinson in the Ternate. These two vessels, added to
the three cruisers which had previously assembled there, formed a
disposable force of five sloops and brigs of war. After an interview
with His Highness, an arrangement was made, by which a portion of
the Kashmere shawls taken from the wreck, and purchased by people
in Muskat, was recovered, on paying salvage. On the 19th Octo
ber the Resident, accompanied by His Highness the Imaum, with
two frigates, and the rest of the squadron, sailed for Soor and
lyah, but after a minute investigation no trace of any of the
plundered cargo could be found. From these places the Resi
dent, accompanied by Commodore Collinson, proceeded to Khore
Gerany, where he had a long interview with Mahomed bin Ali, the
Chief of the Beni Boo Ali Tribe ; and after fully impressing him with
the superior advantages he and his tribe would derive from pre
serving the cargo of any British vessel that might be wrecked, instead
of plundering it, he succeeded in inducing him to give up a few shawls,
and 1,200 dollars, which he solemnly swore was all that it was in his
power to restore at this late period. Finding that this chief and tribe,
in consequence of their residing in the interior, were wholly untangible
by naval means alone, the British authority conceived it useless to
attempt force, and therefore endeavoured to create such an impression
on the minds of the inhabitants of this dangerous coast, as would be
likely to prove highly beneficial to any British ship that might have the
misfortune to suffer a similar accident to that which had befallen the
Oscar. On leaving Khore Gerany the Resident touched at Muskat,
and arrived at Bushire in November 1829.
The conclusion of the peace with Bahrein, which was finally ratified
in Muskat in December 1829, left the Imaum at liberty to carry into
effect his intention of proceeding to Zanzibar, for the purpose of quieting
a dangerous rebellion which had broken out in the island of Mombassa.
As this object, in all probability, would oblige him to be absent from
Muskat a considerable period. His Highness made arrangements for
the administration of the government of Muskat during his absence,
by appointing his nephew Syud Salim his Vukeel, with full powers,
and likewise subsidising the Joasmee and Beniyas Shaikhs for the
better protection of his dominions. Dreading, however, the ambitious
character of his relation, Syud Hillal,* the Governor of Soweik, a young
* Syud Hillal's father was a first cousin of the Imau