'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎116r] (231/344)

Part VI—Chap. XLIV,]
211
informed the Shaik that the object of my visit to Rasel Khymah was to require an explanation
from him regarding his late extraordinary conduct in having, forgetful of his obligations to the
British, and his long and intimate connectiou with that Government, apparently thrown
himself into the arms of a Power whose establishment on this side of the Arabian Continent, he
was quite aware, was not only obnoxious to the views of England, but also inevitably dis-
tructive of his own independence. These proceedings, I added, were the more inexplicable, as
being wholly opposed to the language and sentiments he had expressed to R o ar-Admiral Sip
Frederick Maitland, on las recent visit to Rasel Khymah. In reply to these remarks, the Joasmee
Shaik entered into a lon^ explanation to show that he had been perfectly sincere in the pro
fessions he had made to Captain Edmunds on board the tFelleslcy, that no one could be more
fully aware than himself of the evil and injurious effects which had arisen, and were likely to
arise, from the continued sojourn of Sued bin Mootluk in this quarter, and that under this
impression he had actually taken steps for the removal of that individual from his territories, when
all his arrangements were thwarted and overturned by the treacherous proceedings of Shaik
Khuleefa of Abothabee, who had entered into a close and intimate correspondence with the
Egyptian Agent, and had offered him an asylum in his port in case of his expulsion from
Shargah. In corroboration of this statement the Shaik produced a letter received by Sued bin
Mootluk only three days before from the Beniyas Chief, acknowledging the receipt of the
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's communication, and after alluding to the little assistance afforded to the Syed by the
Joasmees during the four months he had resided on their coasts, pledged himself to support
him in the attainment of his objects, with the whole of the resources of the Beniyas, whether
by land or sea, although somewhat struck by this glaring proof of the deceitful charaettr of
Shaik Khuleefa's proceedings (as the document productd must have reached its destination
about t^e same time that the latter was disavowing to me in the most serious and energetic
manned'his having ever entered into any correspondence with Sued bin Mootluk). I
thought it best in my reply to Sooltan bin Suggur to affect to bjlieve that at the time this
communication was sent, Shaik Khuleefa, having been deceived by the misrepresentations of
the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's Agent, had not been aware of the disapprobation with which the Government
viewed the proceedings of Khorshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and Suid bin Mootluk in this part of Arabia; buc
that on being made acquainted with their sentiments, he had readily pledged himself both
verbally and in writing to drop all further connexion with both. On hearing this, Shaik
Sooltan said that he was quite as desirous of the removal of Suid bin Mootluk from his coasts
as I could be, but that the Suid had positively refused to leave the country unless satisfied
that the British authorities were opposed to his continued sojourn, and would intimate the
same to him in writing. The Shaik added that if I would furnish him with a document to
this effect, one great difficulty in inducing the Egyptian Agent to take his departure would
be removed. I replied that the conduct of Suid bin Mootluk was so directly contrary to
the assurances given to H. M. Ministers by Mahomed Ally—so opposed to the declara
tions of Khorshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and so immediately tending to interrupt the relations of peace and
friendship existing between the maritime tribes of the Arabian Coast and the British Gov
ernment, that he could be looked upon in no other light than as a disturber of the
general tranquillity, and. therefore, I should have no hesitation in addressing letters both to
Shaik Sultan and Suid bin Mootluk upon the expediency of the latter quitting these coasts
and returning to Hedgd. I accordingly prepared the two documents, of which the accompany-
Copy and translation of letter to Shaik Saltan j"? ( enclo ™ r08 No ?- . 5 and , 6 ) are "'P' 68 an<1 trans -
bin Piggin. lations. On receiving the communication to
himself, and being made acquainted with the
contents of the one addressed to the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's Agent, the Shaik expressed himself quite
satisfied, and said that I might rely with confidence on immediate arrangement being made for
Copy and tranelation of letter to Said bin of SD ' 1 d '>'? Mootluk. I answered
Mootluk. tllat W1 th every wish to believe him sincere, yet I
would not conceal that the confidence I should
otherwise have placed in his promises had been greatly shaken by his proceedings subsequent
to his intprviews with Admiral Maitland, but that if he were dona fide in his present sentiments,
he must give me a paper to the same effect, as those so readily furnished by the other Shaiks
on the coast. After some hesitation he said that the removal of Suid bin Mootluk, and the
opinions expressed in the document referred to, might not unlikely give serious offence to
Kliorshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , and therefore, in the event of his being attacked by that General, he wished
to know whether he might look to the British Government for aid and support. Bearing
t. o r nr o . „ mind the opinion expressed by the Eisfht
letter of 'Kt ApriMn the to' H ? u ' ble the Governor-General "that circamstanees
the Bombay Government. might occur under which it might be proper
that aid should be afforded to them (the Arabian
Chiefs), in arms and ammunition" and also "that Sultan bin Suggur, Chief of the
Joasmee Tribe, and any other Chieftains who may seek for assistance and advice from the
Resident should certainly be encouraged and strengthened as much as possible," bearing in
mind I repeat these opinions, and my firm belief that a crisis had arrived in which decided
measures were called for to prevent our influence in this quarter being altogether supplanted
by that of Mahomed Ally. I venture to think that I did not exceed the spirit of my
instructions in distinctly assuring the Joasmee Chief that if his compliance with the
wishes of the British Government involved him in hostilities with any other power,
I would engage to furnish him with such munitions of war as might be necessary and p oper.
On the Shaik asking me whether I would give him this promise in writing, I an>w<red
that I had no objection to do so, but that I must first be satisfied by the departure
2 s