'Memorandum on the separate claims of Turkey and Persia to sovereignty over the island of Bahrein.' [‎7r] (13/40)

any further apprehensions on the subject, and
if the Bahrein Chief was really an independent
Ruler, the best course would be to make with him a
treaty of alliance which would secure his inde
pendence and his friendly connection with England.
But the British Resident, Major Hennell, deemed
med it inexpedient that the British Government
should involve itself in the embarrassments likely
to arise from a closer alliance with Bahrein; and
the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. of the East India Company
considered that Major Hennell "had exercised a
wise discretion in not taking any step for the
negotiation of a new Treaty with Bahrein "
To Admiralty, December 2, 1847, ShortIy after this the Ruler of made ^
application to the Indian Government for protec
tion against an apprehended attack from some
fugitives from his dominions who had established
themselves on the Island Keeru, belonging to
Persia; and Lord Palmerston informed the Admi
ralty and India Board that he was of opinion that
such protection should be afforded by the British
naval force in the Indian seas.
1 he Persian Government, however, objected to
the British interference in the affairs of Bahrein ;
whereupon Colonel Farrant informed them that the
British Government were unable to recognize as valid
the claims advanced by Persia to the Sovereignty
of Bahrein; and his conduct in so doin^ was
approved.
In the same year, the Chief of Bahrein made
a proposition to place himself under the protection
oi the British Government, but the proposal was
not listened to.
Subsequently, however, the British Government
having received information that the Sheikh of
JJallrein was desirous of placing himself under
To Sir Stratford Canning, No.40; Iui ' l<lsl1 protection, sent instructions to Sir Strat-
Febrnary 12, 1851. lord Canning to inform the Turkish Ministers that
Her -Majesty's Government could not acknowledge
nor acquiesce m any such arrangement, seein^ that
the Government of British India had had relations
with Bahr ein as an Independent State, and had
conc,uded wth it certain Treaties, n^ely, one in
1820 for the suppression of Piracy, and one in 1847
for the prohibition of the exportation of slaves:
and that the British Government must object to
any arrangement, which could transfer Bahrein to
[234J n
(1 urkey.)
Colonel Farrant, No. 15 ;
• February 17, 1848.
Colonel Farrant, No. 11;
Mav 2, 1848.
Colonel Farrant, No. 37;
May 23, 1848.
To Colonel Farrant, No. 27
Aug-ust 1, 1848.
J o India Board, January 24.
18/51. J *