'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎91v] (182/344)

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Part V— Chap. XXXVI.
on our part. The Sheikh of Bahreia was also anxious to establish a simi'ar meaning. The
words are" and if any shall attack them {viz., the vessels of the friendly Arabs engaged in
trade) the British Government shall take notice of it."
65. The undertaking' which I gave of the general spirit of the treaty and of our policy
in this point is that it applied to by the parties to the treaty, in respect to any aggressions at
sea hy any other Power not authorized by open war, I ought to remonstrate with the aggressor
and et deavour to procure redress if possible. In all such matters connected with the Persian
side of the Gulf, I must of course conduct the remonstrance through the (Government of Fars
as directed in tne 18th paragraph of my instructions. In cases of open war it will be
impossible to interfere, but it is of such importance *0 encourage a spirit of traffic against the
Arab tribes by all the protection which we can give them that it is very desirable to prevent,
as far as we can, any lawless airgression from powers who are not parties to the treaty.
66. It is I think to be feared that the Chiefs on the Persian side of the Gulf will be at
least as likely t<> commit piracies as those of the Arahiaa shores, they are nearly independent
of Persia, and I do not find that any ot them have yet adopted the flag of that kingdom,
although loni; since ordered t3 do so. It will be necessary for our cruiser to pay frequent
visits to this side of the Gulf.
67. Rama bin Jabir is said to be strongly inclined to renew his old practices, and to haye
made op-n rejoicings when he heard of the removal of our troops from Kishm. He is now
old and blind, but retains all the vio ence of his youth, and there is much to fear, from his
lawless disposition, and his animosity to the Uttubis in particular. His sons are said
fortunately to be of a different temper.
68. I have not been able to make any arrangements for establishing a channel of com
munication at the pirate ports; it would however, I think, be very desirable to have a native
Agent wil h Sultan bin Suggur j audi shall endeavour to procure a person for the purpose;
perhaps our Agent at Kattif might with advantage be transferred to Sharga. In
the meantime the man whom I propose sending to Mogu will be very useful, because he
will be able to give information of the proceedings of the Arabs, both on this side of the Gulf
and also on the pirate coast, through the channel of Lingua, which is near Mogu, and is
subject to a near relation of Sultan bin Suggur, who has constant communications with
Sharga.
69. It is difficult to say what may be the effect of the removal of the troops from Kishm;
their presence was certainly of the utmost use in preserving tranquillity, but the naval
arrangements which Government has directed have convinced the Chiefs that we do not mean
to withdraw our control, and will 1 hope prove efficacious. The force however is hardly
sufficient when the description of vessels is considered. Of five cruizers now in the Gulf three
are stationed off the pirate coast, and one is detained at Bussora. The Depot at Mascat is
more distant than could be wished, since it requires on an average nearly twenty days for a vessel
to proceed thither and return to her post; I am informed none of the vessels carry more than
a few weeks' supplies. The scarcity of fresh water and the prevailing winds in the Gulf
present such difficulties that I do not believe there is any other port of which we could more
conveniently avail ourselves. The only remedy that suggests itself is the employment of a
larger vessel which could convey supplies for the cruizers. But these are points on which I
am not qualified to judge.
70. The ships employed on the survey have uniformly received the greatest assistance
from the whole of the Arab tribes, from Gape Musseldom to Bahrein. I beg leave to suo^o-est
that the cruizers employed in the Gulf should be furnished with copies of the survey on 'their
leaving Bombay.
71. There are many other points in my instructions on which I am directed to report,
but I have not at this early period had it in my power to collect any further information which
1 can venture to submit to the attention of Government. I hope at a future period to be
enabled to offer a full account of the piratical tribes.
73. I may in the meantime state that I understand the Jawassmis procure all their
materials for building as well as their warlike stores from Mascat, Bahrein and Persian ports
in the lower part of the Gulf. The timber is all Indian teak, the arms are chiefly of Persian
manufacture, hut of the latter articles their prizes furnish them with an abundant supply
from all quarters. They possess no articles of export; since their pearls are generally purchased
by merchants on the spot, and the produce of their country is not even sufficient for their main
tenance. Their only employment is catching fish, diving for pearls and importing dates and
other necessaries of lif« which they purchase with the price of their pearls. These dates are
chiefly brought from Bahrein and Bussora ; gum and cloth from Masoat and the Persian
ports. They appear to be very poor, and I should fear that they can never find much employ-
went in commerce unless in carrying for others, but I believe they at one time pursued a very
extensive trade, and it is to be hoppd their resources may again improve.
73. Although there is now no remnant of the Wahabi power on the coast, yet the tenets
of that seat are still said to be cherished by a great number of the inhabitants.
74. In conclusion I beg leave to express my opinion that the Arab Chiefs have at present
every disposition to respect their relations with us, and although I am not sanguine enough to
expect entire tranquillity, yet I think that as long as they are treated with conciliation, they