'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎454] (496/733)

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454
WAHABEES.
The report of the re-appearance in June 1843 of the legitimate ruler
Ameer Fysul, in Nujd, proved correct. His march to the southward
and eastward was attended with undisturbed success, and Abdoolla bin
Sooneyan very shortly found himself invested with a few followers in
the citadel of Riaz (which place itself had fallen into the hands of his
opponent), and compelled to surrender at discretion.
Khalid, the first usurper, was still at Medina, and refused Fvsul's
invitation to join him. The latter had now, however, nothing to fear
from this quondam antagonist, whose assumption and loss of power had
been coeval with the occupation and evacuation of Nujd by the Egyptian
troops, upon whose support he had been dependent, having at no time
carried with him the good will and hearts of the inhabitants.
Ameer Fysul sent a messenger, in July 1843, with letters to the mari
time and inland Shaikhs of Oman, intimating his intention of sending
an army under Syud bin Mootluk, on the termination of the hot weather,
for the purpose of bringing that province under his authority. These
communications were generally favourably received by the former,
Muktoom of Debaye being the only Shaikh who exhibited a disinclina
tion. Of the latter, the Chiefs of Brymee, Humood bin Suroor and
Mahomed bin Abdoolla, addressed letters in November 1843 to the
Eesident, stating their belief in the earnestness of the Wahabee ruler's
intimation, and requesting the aid and support of the British Govern
ment in order to repel the invaders. They were informed, in reply,
that the communications formerly entered into with them by the British
Government had reference solely to the advance of the Egyptian troops,
and the connection subsisting between His Highness Mahomed Ali
Pacha with Nujd ; but that these circumstances being now altogether
changed, and the impending danger removed, by the departure of the
troops under Korshid Pacha from that province, it was the intention of
the British Government to withdraw from all interference in the inter
nal affairs of Arabia.
At this very time, too, the Resident received a communication from
the Ameer himself, expressive of a desire for the renewal of the amicable
relations which existed between his father Toorkey and the British Go
vernment. These sentiments of friendship were duly responded to, and
the sole object of the British Government in this quarter being the sup
pression of plunder and bloodshed on the seas, and the security of all
well disposed inhabitants of the shores of the Gulf, in the prosecution
of their several employments, represented to and impressed upon him,—
views which he had equally declared to be entertained by himself. The
knowledge that a friendly intercourse was kept up between the English
authorities and the ruler of Nujd could not fail to make a favourable
and beneficial impression upon the minds of the Maritime Arabs.