'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎60v] (120/344)

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Part V—Chap XXV.
which could possibly be strained into a disregard of these bappy relations which have so long
subsisted between the two States has led the British Government to abstain from the adoption
of any final arrangements for the future tranquillity of the Gulf without a previous and
unreserved exposition to the Government of Persia of the line of policy which we have been
unavoidably compelled to pursue. This policy is explained in the despatch to the supremo
Government, and will be found, I trust, to maintain a just regard for the interests of Persia in
particular, and generally of the different Arab tribes whose pretensions to an independent
authority it would seem to be tha wisest policy to recognise, so long as they shull refrain
from applying their power to disturb the arrangements in contemplation.
8. The Imaum of Muscat having asserted a positive claim to the sovereignty of the
Island of Kishma, this Government has not hesitated in fixing upon that station as a rende-
vous for the expedition. The occupation by the Britnh Government of a more commanding
itation in the Gulf, being considered to be indispensable, to enable us to exerase a more
immediate and efficient control over it than can be done either from Bus hire or Bussora, the
possession of that island would he an important object either permanent!y in full sovereignty,
or temporarily until under the beneficial effects which the presence of a British force in the
vicinity of the piratical ports may be expected to produce, in reforming their habits, may
enable us to relinquish the possession. The latter expedient should in my opinion be preferred
only on a failure of obtaining the cessions of Kishma in perpetuity.
9. I entertain no doubt that the cession of Kish>na might be obtained from the Imaum of
Muscat provided His Hiyhness's pretensions to it be indisputable, but I believe that the
sovereignty of the island was at one time claimed by Persia, and under any circumstances I am
satisfied that the Supreme Government would not unless on extreme emergency be inclined
to take any measure regarding the occupation of that island, which you might conceive to
be permanently injurious to our general interests at the Court of Tehran.
10. You must be the best judge whether we are required either by justice or policy to
negotiate the previous consent of Persia, or whether we may content ourselves with the
simple explanation of our views and intention^, in either case after the above exposition of
the motives which impel us to depart from the principles which governed our interposition in
the expedition of 1810; and which its entire failure in eradicating piracy has imposed
upon us, I must leave to your experience, judgment anil address to adopt the line of conduct
which may most effectually reconcile t ie important object of eradicating piracy, which the
maintenance of the good understanding that so happily subsists between His Majesty's
Government and the Court of Persia.
11. You will perceive by our despatch to the Supreme Government that we mean to
avoid all interference in respect to the Island of Bahrein, in the event however of the force
which has been despatched by the Government of Persia failing to obtain possession of it;
there is however reason to believe that provided the Persian (government will consent to the
Uttoobees continuing in the undisturbed occupation of Bahrein, the Sheikh would readily agree
to pay the tribute, and for this purpose the mediation of the British Government would be
gladly afforded, provided it can be employed in such a manner as to avoid any thing tiiat might
in any shape involve us iu the transactions of the parties after the conclusion of the negotia
tion immediately referred to. Our entire repugnance to involve ourselves in the politics of the
Gulf on this as on all other occasions may contribute to satisfy the Persians of the absence
of every design to extend our power or inHuence in that direction.
12. The complete restoration of the influence of the Persian Government over every
port on the Persian side of the can be easily effected., I take the liberty however of
recommending to your consideration the urgent expediency that exists of some arrangements
being made by the Persian Government for the purpose of establishing the most effectual
control over the different Sheikhs who may be placed in authority at those places and of giving
effect to those maritime regulations which it is proposed to establish, prohibitory of the outfit
of armed vessels or boats, and for exercising a general control over those ports.
13. The Resident at Bushire will forward to you a report of the contumacious conduct
of the Sheikh of Currack and containing the most decisive evidence of his having engaged in
acts of piracy. I make no doubt that you will be able to obtain the orders for the removal
of the chieftain of that island, which if the Persian Government should prove incapable of
effecting, the force now in the Gulf may be employed in reducing him to subjection.
14. It is not improbable that the Officers Commanding the Expedition may attack some
island or ports on the main which may acknowledge allegiance to the Persian Government,
and that false reports of our motives may reach the Court of Tehran. It is scarcely necessary
to state that no offensive operations will be carried on against any place which shall not have
engaged in piracy, and there can be no question of our right to attack such as have been eo
concerned after proving for so long a period the inability of their own Government to restrain
their depredations, should therefore any act of aggression be committed against any territory
which may belong to Persia, you will no doubt be able s itisiaotorily to explain the grounds
on which it has been made,
15. I have also the honour of transmitting to you copies of the several instructions which
have been issued to Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, K.M.T., Commanding the Troops,
employed in this expedition. Possessed of the documents which form the enclosures to this
jleepatch you will be fully apprized of the extent and nature of the arrangements which it i?