'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎58v] (116/344)

96
Part V—Chap. XXV.
23. The Resident at Bagdad has been instructed to communicate to that Government
the objects contemplated by the present expedition, so that no interference wUh your
operations may be expected from His Highness, the Turkish possessions under that Pachalic
being too remote from the scene of action to be likely to be brought into contact \ntli you.
24-. You will perceive by the instructions to Mr. Jukes and the letter therein referred
to, the desire expressed to the Imam of Muscat of His Highness's co-operation in effecting the
reduction of the piratical force, and the Governor in Council does not entertain a doubt that
His Highness will most cordially afford his aid, not only by means of the naval and
military force at his disposal, but in the supply of the armament with such provisions and
refreshments as may be necessary to facilitate your operations.
25. By the communication made to this Government by the Hon'ble Company s broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation.
at Muscat, you will perceive that His Highness has recently been engaged m negotiation
with the people of Rassulkhima, with a view of endeavouring to extinguish the power ot
the present chieftain and of restoring Sooltan-bin Saggar, the legitimate chieftain, to his
authority ; but that deserted by this chieftain on his arrival off that place, and, with toe
exception of Rahmat-bin-Jauber, all the petty chieftains who had promised to aid him in his
operations in the event of a failure in his negotiation he had been obliged to return to
Muscat.
26. "Whatever may have been the claims of Sooltan-bin Saggar, it is by no means desirable,
after such conduct, that his cause should be espoused by the British Government, and in any
arrangements which may appear to you to be necessary, in reference to the temporary
occupation of Rassulkhima previourly to your having the determination of His Excellency
Ibrahim Pacha or receiving further instructions from hence, care should be taken to avoid
bis being placed in authority.
27. With respect to Rahmat-hin Jauber, formerly the chieftain of Khore Husson, it
would appear from the late communications received from the Gulph that he has identified
himself with the Imam, and will in all probability be ready to aid your operations, and,
should that disposition be expressed, it will be desirable you should avail yourself of his
services, under the impression, that, whatever may have been his predatory habit formerly,
he is disposed to unite in destroying the power of the Joassmees, and those associated with
them, who have been so actively employed in disturbing the tranquillity of the Gulph.
28. It is probable that Rahmat-bin Jauber will join you in company with the Imam,
but whether he has any force of his own, or is employed in the Imam s service, appears to
be somewhat doubtful.
29. Although it might be convenient with a view to the intended operations that the
armament should call at Muscat previously to its entering the Gulph, for the purpose of
being joined by such part of the force of the Imam as may be assigned to the purposes of
the expedition, yet from the unhealthiness of the place and in the difficulty in obtaining
some of the necessary supplies, particularly water, but more especially with the view of
occupying a more convenient position for pursuing your future operations, it would appear to
be far preferable that you should proceed at once to the islands of Kishmee, which Island ia
represented to be capable not only of affording a safe anchorage, but of furnishing a certain
portion of water and other refreshments which cannot so readily be obtained at Muscat,
and no doubt can be entertained of permission being granted for your occupying any part of
that island that may be necessary for the temporary accommodation of the armament,
30. You will, therefore, after leaving this place proceed direct to Kishm, where you
will probably find Captain Theriff of the Commissariat Department, who has been employed
in collecting such supplies, and after obtaining what may be required for the refreshments of
the troops and such information as you may conceive to be necessary regarding the proceed
ings of the piratical force, you will lose no time in carrying your instructions into execution.
31. It may probably happen that previously to your arrival in the Gulph, the chieftain
of Rassulkhima under the dread of the effect of your intended operations may have ordered
their maritime force to leave that place and proceed to sea, or to take some more secure
position this, and other local circumstances which may have occurred since the last
advices were received, may render it necessary that you should change the proposed plan of
operations, and understanding that their destruction is the primary object of consideration,
much will be left to your discretion.
32. The Governor in Council has so much reliance in your zeal and ability, that
whatever opinions he may have given as applicable to the immediate attack of Rassulkhima,
he is willing to leave the course of proceeding entirely in your hands under a full persuasion
that it will be regulated under the exercise of a sound judgment, and that any difficulties which
may present themselves that can be effected by skill and gallantry will be surmounted.
33. The objection contemplated is of no slight importance, and it is to be hoped that by
your exertions the commerce of this part of India will be freed from the further ravages of
those barbarians, who under circumstances that could not be prevented, have so long continued
to practise them with so much success.
34). Lieutenants Searight and Brucks have been appointed agents for the transport
service and have been directed to place themselves under the orders of Captain Collier, who
will be charged with the conduct of the maritime part of the expedition, and the Governor in
Council relies with the fullest confidence that all your proceedings will be conducted with