'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎159r] (317/344)

Part VII—Chap. LXXI.
297
ostensibly as the adTOcate of his nephew's cause, was really actuated by
T p e „ S i of P er f^ al . hostility. Lieutenant Kemball felt assured therefore that
the slightest exhibition of indifference on his part would at once seal the fate
ot Haji Abdul Mahomed, and under these circumstances he deemed the
crisis suffloiently senous to warrant his incurring a certain degree of respon
sibility, m order to prevent matters proceeding to extremities and thereby
perhaps obviate embarrassment hereafter.
585 Accordingly after some little hesitation he determined to try the
effect ot a friendly remonstrance upon the Sheikhs, and he instructed 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. Mirza to address a note to each, warning him that his desisns
had come to his knowledge that in the event of any disturbances beiug the con-
sequence, it would be his duty to report the circumstances to Her "kaiestv's
c o, .! r , " J - ehCTan . an<i that tlle y were sincere in their desire for the return
ot sheikh Nasir their present conduct must assuredly only defeat the end thev
had in view. " j ^
On the following morning Sheikh Hussein Nasir sought an interview
with Lieutenant Kemball, and on that day and the next, he and the Mulik-ul-
Tujjar and Sheikh Hussein Saleh either of their own accord or at the Resident's
invitation, paid visits to the Eesidency. On these occasions Lieutenant Kemball
uniformly avoided the discussion of subjects connected with the police or fiscal
regulations of the place involved in their dispute, and confined himself to
impressing upon the parties the necessity of maintaining tranqnillitv to which
end alone his^ mediation was directed, as a proof of his decided sympathy in
behalf of Sheik Nasir, (who during the latter years of his administration had
given general satisfaction); mention was made of the pains Maior Hennell
had taken to have his case favorably represented to the Persian Ministers
at Tehran as well as m other respects to forward his views, and it was
pointed out to the Sheikhs that any recourse to violence on their part even
"id. "fttpr g rou nds exist than were now urged by them, could not fail to be
prejudicial to the best interests of Sheikh Nasir, and perhaps etfectuallv bar
his return to his Government, as well as lead to their own ruin. After some
conversation Lieutenant Kemball succeeded in eliciting from each a promise
M a rv i ^ n0r o all0vv otllers ^ o^r molestation to the
1 u "Tujjar, Sheikh Hussein Saleh at the same time observin 0 * that in the
event of letters being received from his immediate superior at Shiraz
authorizing proceedings he would in the first instance give notice of their tenor!
586. On the other hand, Haji Abdul Mahomed assured Lieutenant
Kemball with apparent truth, that not the slightest foundation existed for
the charge which had been brought against him, that he had it was true
received autograph letters from the Prince Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). of the Province (which
he presented for perusal) commanding him to give notice to the merchants
to suspend payment of Custom House duties until further orders; but that
he had declined to act upon them, and finally that his interest as well as his
mclmation prompted him to use his best endeavours for the return of Sheikh
Nasir to Bushire. As a proof of his sincerity he volunteered to draw out
anptishhad Name^ to be addressed to H. R. H. Bahrani Mirza prayin-
that the Sheikh might be invested with the usual Khelaat, and be re-appointed
to his Government On the night of the 14th May the merchants quitted
the dwelling of the Muhk Tujjar for their own homes, and the excitement
generally felt throughout the town in consequence of these occurrences was
again to all appearances completely allayed.
587. In his subsequent despatch to Lieutenant-Colonel Tarrant, dated
26th May 1849, Lieutenant Kemball reported that notwithstanding his promise
Sheikh Hussein Nasir, however, could not bring himself to relinquish his intrigues
against the Mulik-ul-Tujjar. A friendly remonstrance from Lieutenant Kemball
being without effect, his hostility to that person manifested itself as before, in
open threats of violence, concluding by a direct message couched in obvious
terms, importing that his absence from the town would be preferable to his
further stay, and that his early departure would be convenient. At the same
time he took steps effectually to bar his escape by sea suborning his boatmen;
and as the event proved, had laid his plans to intercept his exit also by the
town gate.