'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎137r] (273/344)

Part VII—Chap. LIII.
253
473. On 4th morning, as expected, an attempt was made by Sheikh Nasir
to disavow all intention of violence. The most abject professions were made to
soften the Resident's resentment and every argument used to impress him
with the utter impossibility of their entertaining such an idea, all founded
on the high respect in which the English were held, the benefits which Bushire
in particular had experienced from their connection with it, the severe retri
bution which would inevitably be exacted for the perpetration of such an out
rage and above all in the grateful feelings entertained both by Sheikh Hussein
and himself towards their benefactor and preserver.
474. But all these deceitful and at best hypocritical arguments were of
no avail against the direct evidence of facts and the personal observation
of every man in the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. . The destruction howeTer of every individual
within the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. even if it would have been effected without risk or
difficulty appears to have been an object of such trivial moment when
compared with its serious and inevitable consequences that the Resident could
scarcely persuade himself that the leaders would have contemplated anything
beyond intimidation or perhaps the gratification of mortified vanity by a
temporary display of superiority ; but such considerations, he thought, however
they might lessen the moral responsibility of Sheikh Hussien and the promoters
of the ferment, could afford no satisfaction for the insult offered to the
representative of the British Government, nor would their utmost exertions
have restrained the violence of the populace had it once been set in motion
by the slightest act of imprudence on either side.
475. Soon after these events the Prince of Pars came to Fars with his
Minister Gil Khan, but his presence did not improve matters much. A
representation made by Colonel Stannus to the Prince brought a reply in the
most offensive language, throwing the whole blame of the recent outrages on
the Resident. Further outrages were added in stopping Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. servants
from carrying water and insulting others in public roads. These proceedings
left no other course to the Resident than to retire from Bushire to a village
close by.
476. Meanwhile Captain Wilson had been appointed Resident in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and on his arrival to relieve Colonel Stannus, he received a letter
from the Prince of Fars promising redress for the outrages to the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
and to exclude Sheikh Hussein from the administration at Bushire.
477. The following order was passed by the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. on the
or, o 8 , 1q< vt reports of the Resident (letter, dated
Volume ^ of 1827, page 466. 00 ^i A nt:or , . ^ > • Vrr-i n
28th April 1827, to Captain Wilson)
2. Tbese despatches coDfirm the opinion before expressed that no instructions issued at
an earlier period would have been of any avail, the state of affairs daily cbanging until the
final return of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. .
3. The decision of all questions is now mncb facilitated by events that have since taken
place, Sheikh Ahmed having remained at Bushire until the Prince's arrival agreeably to his
own request and having been made over to His Hoyal Highness in the manner he "himself
wished, has no further claim on the British Government.
4. It only now remains to decide on the course to be pursued towards the Sheikhs in
possession and the notice to be taken of the letters of the Prince of Shirauz.
5. The treachery of the Sheikhs in intriguing while under the protection of the British
Government, their ingratitude in having employed their newly acquired power against their
late protector and the mean subterfuges by which they endeavoured to excuse their un
provoked violence, leave no room for doubt as to the estimate to be formed of their character.
The only part of their conduct however which requires public notice is the open preparation
which they made for attacking the British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. . Had that attack been carried into
effect, it might have been impossible to admit of any circumstances however strong as a
palliation for an outrage which would have lowered the impression of the British character
through the whole of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , but as the Sheikhs had sufficient prudence to stop
before any act of open hostility had been committed, it is reasonable to make some allowances
for the disturbed state of the place, the agitation of their own minds, the precarious foundation
of their authority and the alarm which they must have felt as long as Sheikh Ahmed remained
in their neighbourhood and under the protection of the Resident. These considerations would
dispose the Governor in Council to admit of the immediate, public and abject apologies with
which the violence of the Sheiklis was followed as a sufficient atonement for their indefensible
proceedings. Even the disavowal of all intentions beyond that of preventing the escape of
Sheikh Ahmed, though contrary to the truth, is a mark of humiliation on the part of the
Sheikhs and a proof of a disposition to deprecate the resentment of the Resident.