'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎57v] (114/344)

94.
Part V—Chap. XXV.
203. It was believed that the Arab Sheikhs of the ports of the Persian
„ . Coast, Lingah, Mogu, Oharrak and Cherro,
Persian eutceptiOtlmet. i j v • t i. j • j.i ^ • .
had been implicated in the recent piracies.
The expedition was directed therefore also against these piratical strongholds,
as they were supposed to be. Dr. Jukes was sent ahead to the Gulf with
despatches from the Governor of Bombay to the Prince of Pars, and the
Governor of Bushire explaining the objects of the Mission. To the Prince of
Pars it was pointed out that it was by no means the design of the British
Government in India to adopt any course of the proceeding inconsistent with
the preservation of the friendly relations existing between England and
Persia, and the Governor invited the Prince to take part in the operations
by land against the Persian ports, whereby the Persian authorities might be
re-established on a footing which would enable them to curb the licentious
disposition of the inhabitants.
204. The Bombay Government issued very careful instructions to Sir
Instructions to Sir William Grant Kiev. William Grant Keir on the various points
Volume 52—i9 of 1820-1821, page i. connected with the expedition, which he
was to command, in their letter, dated 27th October 1819, which may be
read:—
4. You will be pleased to understand that the Joassmee tribe who have been most actively
engaged in the atrocitieB which have called for the opemtions now about to be undertaken,
occupy the port of Rus-ul-Khima on the western shore of the Gulph of Persia, from whenoe
the greatest part of the piratical cruisers have been equipped, and where they may probably
be now assembled.
6. For some years past until within the last, they appear to have been under the influence
of the Wahabee sect, but since the fall of Deriah (the seat of Government) and the rest of the
territories of that State to the Turkish troops nnder tlie command of Ibrahim Pacha, they have
been subjected to no control, and have continued their depredations without regard to the
nation to which the vessels or craft might belong, which they have felt themselves compe
tent to subdue.
6. Abdoolla-bin Saood, the late chieftain of the Wahabees, who was made a prisoner
at Deriah, was, it appears, sent to Constantinople, and has since been put to death.
7. It would be difficult to recapitulate the means and desariptions of the vessels and
craft which have fallen into the hands of the pirates; but among them the Honourable Com
pany's Pattamar, the Deria Dowlat and another belonging to this placa with a detachment of
the Honourable Company's Native troops are to be included, the crews of which, as well as
the troops on board the latter, were inhumanly murdered.
8. The inhabitants of Ras-ul-Khima appear to the Governor in Council to be deserving
the moit exemplary punishment> and it would therefore be desirable, should circumstances be
favourable for effecting the objects in view, that your operations should, in the first instance, be
directed against them ; but though the property they have found on board the trading vessels
they have captured is of great extent, it is to be feared that it has already been disposed of
at Bahrein and other places, and that none of it will be likely to be recoverable.
9. The pain of Ras-ul-Khima which accompanies this, though perhaps not very accurately
described, will afford a tolerably correct idea of its situation and defences; and, considering
the extent of the force which has been placed at your disposal, it is to be hoped that at no
distant period, after the commencement of your operations, it will fall into your hands, the first
object of your attention should be directed to the destruction of the 'piratical vessels and craft
of every description with every article of naval or military store that may he found there,
and you will not fail to hear in mind that excepting in cases of particular emergency neither
the troops or the crews of the ships of tear or ihe Honourable Company's cruisers are meant
to he emploi/ed at any distance from thence, or from any other place, to which your operations
may he directed, against any military forces of the piratical States, unless their heing s*
employed should he found essentially requisite for the demolition of the piratical vessels and
craft which may he in their ports %
10. The despatch of His Excellency the Most Noble the Governor-General to Ibrahim
Pacha and the instructions which have been given to Captain Sadlier to whom the delivery
of that despatch has been confided, will put you in possession of the measures proposed to be
concerted with His Excellency, for placing the port of Rasselkhima under the authority
of the Turkish Government; and it is to be regretted that, by the unexpected departure
of His Excellency from that part of the coast before the arrival of Captain Sadlier, the
arrangements consequent to such a measure could not be concluded.
11. The letters which have been received from that officer which are inclosed for your
information will apprize you that he has followed His Excellency into the interior, and until
some reply shall have been received from him to the overture thus made, it will be necessary
the town of Ras-ul-Khima should be occupied by such a portion of the force under your orders
as may be necessary for its security,