'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎115r] (229/344)

Part VI—Chap. XLIV.]
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the Sultan's Army in Syria, almost eveiy Arab in Nedgd would be immediately arrayed
against him after alluding in a tone of complaint to the Government not having compelled
Esa-bin-Tareef and the Al-i-AUy to return to their allegiance to him, but expressing his
sincere desire for the maintenance of his friendly relations with the British, the Shaik took
his deparature.
3. The impression I have received from this interview is, that Shaik Abdoolah Mir
Ahmed beino" now advanced in years is unwilling to be placed in any situation calling for
active and personal exertion, and that to avoid this he is prepared to make considerable
sacrifices. He is evidently overawed by the almost invariable success which has hitherto
attended the political intrigues, and military operations of Khorshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . Indeed to such
an extent does this influence act upon his otherwise naturally acute mind, that I am inclined
to think he is doubtful whether the Ensrlish could cope with the Fasha prosperously by land,
however superior they may be by sea, at all events so great is the Shaik's desire to have his
tranquillity as little disturbed as possible that I am by uo means certain whether he would
not prefer allowing matters to remain on their present footinor than bestir himself to main
tain his independence even with the aid and support of fie British Government. Nevertheless,
he would be delighted to be relieved from the burden he has taken upon himself if this could
be done by the influence of England without imposing upon him the necessity of making any
personal exertion.
4. As a general belief has been entertained by myself, as well a' others, that Bahrein
could be protected by our vessels of war from an attack, I think it riyht to draw the atten
tion of the Government to the positive assertion of the Shaik, that there are many parts
between the island and the main, where neither bugla Large trading vessel. nor ship could be of any service in
preventing a large fleet of boats from makinj; its way across in the course of a few hours.
Shaik Abdoollah assured me, that in the time of Shaik Nassir, he had himself successfully
attacked Bahrein in this manner, although his antagonist possessed a strong naval force, but
which could not be made available.
5. No alteration appears to have taken place in the stations and distribution of the
Egyptian Army in Nedgd; the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. himself being, according to the latest; accounts, still
at his Head Quarters in Surmada, settling the affairs of Central Arabia. Shaik Abdoolah,
in speaking of Beymee, and its refusal to submit to Said bin Mootluk, mentioned a report,
that Khorshid had given 10,000 crowns to 400 camelmen, and 100 horse of the Mutteer
Bed wins, under Bin Buttal, and Houssey, to m;irch across by land to reinforce Said bin
Mootluk, who belonged to that tribe. The Shaik added, that considering the season, the
diffieiency of water in the desert, and other difficulties, he doubted whether the expedition
would be undertaken. In concluding the subject of Bahrin I have only to observe that the
tone of my conversation and the tenor of my protest have made Shaik Abdoolah aware that
I consider he has placed himself in a somewhat ambiguous position with reference to us. It
must however remain for the Government to decide, whether it is advisable to detach him
altogether from the Egyptians by giving him the written pledge of protection he asks for.
6. On the 1st instant the Hugh Lindsay anchored off Aboothabee, within the reefs about
three quarters of a mile from the town, a
00 ia e< '' position which could not have been occupied by a
sailing vessel without incurring much risk: thus shewing the advantages which would attend
permanent addition of a steamer to the Gulf Squadron. It was afterwards ascertained by
sounding that the Hugh Lindsay could have lain within a pistol shot of the place without
the least danger. Shaik Khuleifa bin Jhalboot having come on board, I informed him,
after the usual compliments on both sides had passed, that having received information which
led me to believe that certain Chiefs on the coast had, by entering into friendly communica"
tion with Sued bin Mootluk, been acting contrary to the understanding which had been come
to in their interview with Captain Edmunds on the occasion of the recent visit of Admiral
Maitland, I had lost no time in repairing to the spot in order to ascertain who the individuals
were, who had thus rendered themselves obnoxious to the displeasure of the British Government
by their deceitful proceedings. The Shaik on reply denied with great apparent earnestness and
sincerity, that he had given the slighest countenance and support to the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's Agent; on
the contrary, he said, that he had expressly intimated to Shaik Sultan bin Suggur, that the
only condition upon which he would consent to levy all former feuds and quarrels in oblivion
was the expulsion of Sued bin Mootluk from his territories within a given time. The
Shaik then dwelt with much earnestness upon his close alliance and friendly relations with
the inhabitants of Brymee, who, he added, were supported by Humood bin Azan of Johar,
and quite determined to resist any attempt to bring them under the rule of the Egyptians ;
that he had received two communications from Sued bin Mooltuk sealed with the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's
Signet, calling upon him to acknowledge the authority of that person of which he had not
taken the slightest notice (an assertion which I afterwards ascertained was a positive falsehood) ;
that from the time of the receipt of the last letter I had addressed to him upon the subject
of Sued bin Mootluk he had been more than ever determined to avoid all connexion with that
individual, but on the contrary, to cultivate more sedulously than before his relations with
the British Government, and resisting 1 to the last extremity all attempts of Khorshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to
subjugate him, to look to the English alone for support and protection. On my asking
Shaik Khuleefa whether he would give me a written paper expressive of these sentiments.
Copy and translate of declaration made ly he readily assented, and I have now the honor
Shaik Khuleefa bin Shakboot. to enclose a copy and translation of this docu
ment for the information of the Hon 'ble the Governor in Council. The Shaik was profuse