'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎93r] (185/344)

Part V-Chap. XXXVII.
165
CHAPTER XXXVII.
QUESTION OF ALLOWING THE PIRATE CHIEFS TO BUILD
FORTS-1831-1833.
300. In 1821 Sultan bin Saggar solicited permission to construct a fort
for the purpose of keeping the ditferent tribes in subjection. In reply to this
application the Chief was informed through Major-General Smith, on his visiting
the Gulf in 1821, that the British Government would not oppose Ids building a
fort inland in such a situation as might protect him from his enemies, but that
no fortification could be erected on any navigable creek or other site by which
piratical vessels could be screened.
301. In 1822 the Imam of Maskat having represented through his Agent,
Aga Mahomed Shnstry, his alarm at a report which he had received that Sultan
bin Saggar was building a fort at Has-ul-Khima by permission of the Resident,
Mr. Macleod, and his apprehensions that if the fort were completed Sultan
bin Saggar would commence disturbances, for, as His Highness stated, he
and his adherents had been on the look-out for opportunities to commit
depredations ever since it had been certain that the troops were to be removed
from Bassadore.
302. At the time this communication was made, the Bombay Government
had not received any report of this circumstance from Captain Macleod, and
indeed a letter received from Captain Faithfull on the occasion of his visiting
the piratical ports, seemed to discredit it. It was deemed therefore only
necessary to notify to His Highness that the terms of the Treaty concluded by
Sir William Grant Keir did not allow of our preventing the building of the
forts, or the retaliation of tribes ; a circumstance which seemed also to have
awakened His Highness's alarm in the idea of its being sanctioned by the
Kesident.
303. In 1823 a report was received from the senior naval officer in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , stating that, in consequence of a report he had received from the
Commander of the Antelope Cruiser, Sultan bin Saggar had in the absence of the
cruiser appointed to watch the port of Ras-ul Khima constructed a square
tower of about 30 feet high on the sea face of that town, suited to matchlock
defence, he had immediately proceeded with all the cruisers at his command
to the Arabian Side of the Gulf, and having obtained from Sultan bin Saggar
at Shargah an order, apparently given from the formidable appearance of the
squadron consisting of tive cruisers, for the destruction of the fort, he proceeded
to Ras-ul-Khima to see it carried into execution.
The Bombay Government expressed appreciation of the zeal which led
Captain Faithfull to proceed immediately to demolish the tower : but could not
omit expressing his regret that he should have adopted such a step, without
previously consulting the Resident; that as all instructions of a political nature
were addressed to that officer, they could not too strongly impress on Captain
Faithfull the necessity of abstaining from every act of a nature affecting our
relations to the Arab States, without express authority from the Resident,
except in those cases of actual piracy in which promptitude was absolutely
necessary and which are pointed out specifically in the instructions formerly
issued to the Senior Officer on that station.
304. The Bombay Government regretted that the Treaty made by
Sir William Grant Keir did not include
dat^AApriUMr 6 " 1 of In,iia ' No - 4al ' an article specifically guarding against
the erection of the sea defences at Ras-ul-
Khima and the other piratical ports, and it would be, they thought, advisable
if advantage could be taken of any favorable opportunity to obtain such a
formal concession from Sultan bin Saggar, against the reconstruction of the
y i