'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎307] (349/733)

JOASMEES.
307
9.nd. participation of Saood5 011 which tribe they were entirely depend
ent ; but the commanders observed,—such had been the impression of
our operations against the principal pirate ports, that they succeeded in
their demand to destroy all the Bows and large boats of the petty
chieftains from Ramse to Abookeyle, on the Arabian side, as well as
Mogoo, on the Coast of Persia. The Chief of Charrak, not having any
Dows or large boats, was admonished to refrain from giving encourage
ment or piotection to future pirates. A similar message was sent to the
Chief of Nakheeloo, with a demand, at the request of the Imaum, for the
release of Shaikh Jubara of Congoon, the friend of the English. It was
not deemed mateiial to insist on the destruction of Tromkeys and small
boats,—a measure that would have been hard on the poorest of the inha
bitants, and created an odium against the British name which did not
generally exist, many of the small villages on both sides of the Gulf
having been compelled to join in piratical pursuits.
38. As the Uttoobees had never committed any depredations against
our trade, even at times when the Joasmees were enriching themselves
by their frequent captures of British vessels, the commanders deter
mined on not attacking Khor Hassan.
39. It was the prevalent opinion in the Gulf, founded on the result
of this expedition, that the Joastnees had been rendered quite inca"
pable of committing any further depredations by sea. The Resident at
Bussora confirmed this opinion ; but added,—"such was the revengeful
and vindictive spirit of the Wahabee Tribe, and of the inhabitants on
the Aiabian side of the Gulf under the jurisdiction and authority of
Shaikh Saood, that they will attempt to wreak their vengeance on any
defenceless British vessels which they may meet. At all events, such
people are not to be trusted, and Mr. Manisty recommended a prohibi
tion being imposed on the exportation of timber from the ports of India
either to those of the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , even including
Muskat; from which place the pirates will by some means or other
contrive to procure it. Their countries do not produce any kind of
timber proper for ship or boat-building ; if therefore the pirates be
deprived by the regulations of the British Government of their ordinary
supply of teak, they cannot long possess a naval force of any import
ance."
40. The pirates reappeared in the beginning of 1812, and in the
A . d. 1812. following year destroyed several large Dows and
Buggalows belonging to the ports of Bussora
and Congoon. Boats navigating under British colours did not escape
depredations, whilst others were detained at Porebunder, and prevented
from prosecuting their mercantile pursuits.