'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part II. J G Lorimer. 1915' [‎2645] (1162/1262)

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We hope you pave had a pleasant passage ou your way up the Gulf, that your
snort stay here will be agreeable to Your Lordship, and that your reiuro voyage will
be accomplised in safety and comfort. We consider our83lves specially fortunate
in having this opportunity of meeting Your Excellency, as the Gulf was never
honoured with a visit from a Viceroy of India and, as we know that Your Lordship
takes a keen interest in questions affecting the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the East in general,
we sincerely hope and trust that this visit will be a harbinger of prosperity, felicity,
and peace in the Gulf.
We beg to acknowledge the manifold blessings we have derived from the just
and kind British rule. May it be known to Your Lordship that we came up to the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. about two hundred years ago, when no steamers visited the Gulf and
all business had to be done by means of sailing boats under very trying and disadvan
tageous circumstances. But now the times are changed, and British protection has
brought with it its usual blessings—peace, safety, and prosperity—which reflects great
credit on the British enterprise and civilization in the Gulf.
We have no desire on this occasion to trespass unduly on Your Excellency's
precious time, but humbly venture to lay beforo you one or two questions of vital
importance and considerable interest to Bahrain trade. This port is naturally placed
in a very favourable situation for trade and is a commercial centre for Hasa, '0»jair f
Qatlf, Qatar, and their hinterlands ; and to accelerate the trade of this port a piar
at Manamah is absolutely necessary to enable lighters to ply at all times and tides, to
give the steamers a speedy despatch. We most respectfully beg to put this want
before your kind consideration.
In 1864 we opened trade relations with Qatif and did large business there. We
generally command respect and enjoy some prestige in the Gulf, but, through mis-
government at Qatif, we were not only ignored but we snstalned heavy losses and
wore exposed to insults. In 1895 one of us was attacked by pirates and his right
hand was severed and pearls worth lis. 40,030 were plundered from him. Our un
protected condition placed us at a great disadvantage there, and we had finally to
retire from Qatif. Since Bahrain enjoyed unexceptionable tranquillity and great
advantages for trade, both Arab and Persian traders have come and settled down here.
The keen competition now prevailing here has made it necessary for us to seek new
fields, and we are anxious to share in the growing trade of Qatif and Qatar, and pray
Your Excellency to appoint officers at those unrepresented ports, or, if it be imprac
ticable, to extend the authority of the Bahrain Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. over them.
In conclusion, we offer our prayers to the Almighty to bless and prolong the life
of His Most Gracious Majesty the King-Emperor, under whose benign rule we are
able to live here in peace and contentment, and we sincerely wish Your Lordship a
happy sojourn, prosperous career and long life.
On the morning of the 27th of November, at 11 a.m., a private visit
was paid by Shaikh ■'Isa to His Excellency on board the ff Hardinge" ;
the Shaikh was accompanied only by Hamad, his eldest son and
recognised successor. Mr. Dane, Foreign Secretary, and Colonel Kemball,
Political Hesident, were present; and Mr. Gaskin, the Assistant Political
Agent in Bahrain, acted as interpreter. The Shaikh having stated
that he had no requests to make. His Excellency referred to the murder
of the Shaikh's relative, Salman-bin-Di'aij, on the Arabian mainland and
advised the Shaikh to await the result of the negotiations then pending with
the Porte adding that, should these fail, the propriety of taking further
steps would be considered ; and he also enquired what form of lepaia-
tion would be acceptable to the Shaikh. The Viceroy then passed
to the subject of the mismanagement of the Bahrain Customs and firmly
impressed on the Shaikh the advantages and necessity of reform, not
only in his own interests, but also in those of the British Government^
by whom he was protected, and of the son whose title to succeed him had
been recognised by the British authorities. The Shaikh showed himsel
very obstinate on this point and asked that the matter might be post
poned during his lifetime, but this was not conceded. Eventually
Private
interview of
the Shaikh
with the
Viceroy.
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