'Memorandum on the separate claims of Turkey and Persia to sovereignty over the island of Bahrein.' [‎5v] (10/40)

among themselves for the supremacy of the Island;
and, in October 1843, one of the discomfited
Sheikhs, Abdoolah, presented himself at Bushire,
and obtained from one of the principal priests of
that town a letter, in which he promised him,
on the part of the Governor of Fars, the aid of a
considerable body of Persian troops. Colonel Sheil
having obtained a copy of this letter, showed it to
the Persian Prime Minister, who remarked that
the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. had no authority to interfere in the
affairs of Government, and that he would reprove
him for his presumption ; but his Excellency added
that Bahrein belonged by right to Persia, and
that the Shah was resolved to regain possession
of the Island when other affairs of importance
were disposed of.
In a letter addressed by the Persian Prime
Minister to the Governor of Fars about this time,
allusion was made to Bahrein as " one of the
Islands of Fars."
The British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. was,
however, instructed by the Governor of India to
resist by force any attempt of the Persian Govern
ment to establish troops on the Island of Bahrein.
An Instruction was shortly afterwards addressed
to Colonel Sheil desiring him to inform the Persian To Colonel Sheil, No.
Minister that Her Majesty's Government had heard Au - n " t J1 - 1M4 -
with regret that it was reported to be in the con
templation of the Government of the Shah to take
part in the disputes respecting the Government of
Bahrein; that such a proceeding would be viewed
with much jealousy by the British Government in
India; that, unless the right of Persia to interfere
in the matter was beyond dispute, any interference
on her part might lead to unpleasant discussions
with England ; for that, although Her Majesty's
Government did not dispute the right of Persia as
an independent Power to adopt any line of
policy not inconsistent with its engagements to
foreign states, which she might think advantageous
to herself, they claimed for themselves a corres
ponding right to judge and act in such matters as
they might think fit.
Colonel Sheil was further informed that, unless
Persia could shew that she had a clear and indis
putable right to the Sovereignty of Bahrein; that
she had exercised it without interruption under