'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎33r] (65/344)

Part II—Chap. XV. 45
that would have been hard on the poorest of the inhabitants, 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.
123-A. As the TJitubis had never committed any depredations against our
trade, even at times when the Joasmis were eniiching themselves by their
frequent captures of British vessels, the commanders determiued on not attack
ing Kh(>r Hassan.
124i. So far we have briefly narrated the * events of the expedition against
the Joasmis in the years 1809 and IhiO;
•See Bombay Selections XXIV, pajre 305; an( j 1;10W p rot . ee d QUOte the various
for a mote detailed account see History of the A . 1 , . i ' t
IndUn Navy by Low—Chapter X, despatches showing the policy that guided
Government in tliese operations.
125. The following instructions were issued to the Commanders of the Poll. Dept. Diary
expedition, J. Wainwright, Esquire, Captain of H. M.'s Ship Chiff'onne, and No - 339 1809 '
Commanding the sea force of the Expedition destined to the Gulph of Persia, pp * 8428 ' 8444 '
and Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, Commanding H. M.'s 65th Regiment and the
land force of the Expedition destined to the Gulph of Persia :—
The Governcr-General of India having determined as you are already apprized to under
take an expedition, in view to the defctruction of the piratical powers in the Gulph of Persia,
and procured for tl>is purpose the co-operation of part of His AJajesty's naval force in India
and committed the equipment of the land force to proceed with it, to the Government of this
Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. as well as the general arrangement and dispatch of the armament in consideration
of the vicinity of this port to the intended place of operation ; it is in consequence int nded to
furnish you with the following general instructions for your guidance entm!«tin£r to you to
apply their spirit and purport wherever the letter of them may not be found sutliciently
opposite.
2. It may be useful britfly to premise who these pirates are, and with whom they are
chiefly connected and by whom supported; as well as to designate who are their principal
opponents.
3. The Province of Oman comprehend the south-easterly region of Arabia, extending
from Cape Rassulhud on the south, to the territory of Zobara on the north-eastern Coast and
is divided into two Principalities. The Capital of the first of which is Kosfack and of the
other Seer or Julfar, of the former, the principal seaport is Muscat and of the latter fiaisul
Khima. But although Rostack be the ancient capital of thaf part of Oman, known to
Europeans under the denomination of the territory of Muscat, its inland situation rendering
it of less consequence than the last mentioned seaport, the Hon'ble Company's communi
cations have always been carried on with the Chieftain of the latter, as if he were the
superior of the whole territory, whereas in strictness he may rather owe obedience to the real
Imaum, whose ordinary residence is at Bostack. But as all the British Treaties and engage
ments have been with that member of the family in possession of the seaport of Muscat and
who also assumes title of Imanm, and is moreover iu possession of Zanzibar on the Coast of
Africa and of Ormaz, Goombroon, part or the whole of the Island of Kishm, and other
territories on the Persian Coast; which he holds in farm or by sufferance from the Persian
Government, all your intercourse must be with him. The name of the present Imaum of
Muscat is Sayed Saced, the younger son of the late Sultan, who having been a prince of great
activity and judicious management maintained not only his own dominions in good order, but
overawed the licentious spirit of his maritime rivals. The principality of Sur, who under their
known designation of Joasmee have ever more or less mixed the practice of piracy with some
degree of addiction to commercial \>\xrsmis, waii haviny of late years become willing, or corn-
trained, converts to the reformed Mahomedan faith of the Wahabee who has overrun their
country, they hive more recently availed themselves of that want of coercive control, so
beneficially exercised over them by the late Sultan, to have carried their piratical depredations
to a height scarcely ever before known ; appearing to spare or respect no vessels, whom tiny
have the power of mastering, whether Arabian, Turkish or Brit : sh, having of the latter des
cription captured, within the last two years, no less than three, viz., the Sylphe Cruizer, which
was taken before they could carry her into port, and on the 3rd of July 1808 the Ueria Doiolut,
Captain Flemming, in June 1809, and the Minerva, Captain Hopwood, both of which may
probably still be found lying in the harbour of Rassul Khima, if one or both of them should
noti have been intermediately broken up.
4. The immediate or rather ostensible Chieftain of Rassul Khima is Sheik Sultan, the
son of Sheik Suger ; but there is reason to believe that his authority is not sufficient to restrain
these unprincipled depredations influenced and dominated over as they are by delegates of the
"Wahabee who is said to receive a fifth of their plunder, could his own inclination be even
depended on; under some disgust arising probably out of these circumstances, this Sultan
deserted Kassnl Kiiyma in the course of last year, and retiring to a neutral territory, made
overtures to Syed Saeed of Muscat, who is in a state ef war with the Joasmees, to feconciij