'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎142r] (283/344)

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Part VII—Chap. LVII. 263
CHAPTER IVII.
FEUD BETWEEN TIJirR MIRZ4 AND SHEIKH ABDLL
R4SSUL. INTERFERENCE OF THE IMAM OF MA8RAT.
1830-31.
489. In a letter dated 19th May 1880 to the Resident the Imam of
47 Maskat stated that he expected some
Voium® ^ of 1830. trouble between Timur Mirza and Sheikh
Abdul Rassal, and the former would
probably ask for his assistance in ships. The Imam requested to be advised by
the Resident on the matter. Major Wilson wrote in reply—
That the Firmun Firmah of Tars had given Cazerun and all the country
between that place and Bushire into the hands of Sheikh Abdul Rassul, and was
said to have given Icklad, Izardwhost and Bowanat to his son Prince Timur
Mirza, and the Wazir Minister. of Pars Mirza Mahomed Ali was at Bushire settling this
affair.
The Resident did not think that it would in any way be advantageous for
the Imam to send ships to assist Prince Timur. Such an action would only
create a great deal of confusion and would do much harm to His Hlghness's
name, for there was not any sufficient reason that could be given for such a
warlike proceeding on his part, in favour of a person who was not the Chief of
that country. The Kesident further assured His Highness that he has always
taken the greatest interest in his concerns, and never on any occasion had
offered advice that he did not believe would be for His Higbness's benefit.
489A, "We find, however, the Imam of Maskat still continuing to meddle
v i ttit « 00 , in the affairs of Bushire. He appears to
Volume VII of 1831, , ... . ^ — JT.* .
have written to the rirman iirma at
Shiraz proposing that Sheikh Abdul Rassul should be removed from Bushire,
and that one of his ( Prince Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). 's) sons appointed Governor of Bushire (see
translation of a letter from the Prince of Pars to the Imam), For getting rid of the
Sheikh of Bushire, however, the Prince of Fars was anxious to secure the aid
of the Imam's ships at Bushire. When the Resident learnt of these intrigues he
strongly remonstrated against the Imam's meddling in Persian affairs, pointed
out to him that he had on behalf of His Highness only recently recovered all
the dues from the Sheikh of Bushire (20,000 krans).*
489B. The Governor of Bombay also wrote to the Imam to the following
effect:—
a Intelligence of the unfriendly disposition of Your Highness towards the Sheikh of
Bushire having been transmitted to this Government by Major Wilson, and I am induced, as
a sincere friend to Your Highness, very strongly to advise you against any rupture with that
Chief as also * agaimt interfering with the affairs of Fars or of any province of Persia. It is
the interest of Your Highness to cultivate peace as much as possible, and only to have
recourse to war when your own safety is endangered, or the safety of those who are really your
friends. The Sheikh of Bushire has satisfied all your demands so you have no reason to declare
war against him; but should Your Highness be so wrought on by the counsels of those who
wish only to aggrandize themselves, and are not at heart your friends. Your Highness cannot
expect to be assisted by this Government in the way you were lately, when the Arab tribes
meditated an attack upon your territories. You are an old friend and ally of this Government,
who wish nothing more than your prosperity and rejoice to see you succeed in any honourable
enterprise, but in this which is against all prudence, I am sure you will meet with misfortune. ,J
♦ As regards the advice given by the Bombay Goreinment in respect of his claims against Bahrein, sae
Chapter XLI—A.
As regards our policy in respect of his entering his claims in his rented possessions in Persia, see Chapter
XLVIII.
J