'File 10/3 VI Qatar Oil Concession' [‎65v] (142/481)

Lor. I, 650.
the pirates and that they were therefore no further interested in the contest between
him and the Wahabis than they were solicitous for the welfare and prosperity of
the Imam. " Under the influence of that solicitude and a just sense of the benetits
and blessings of a state of peace,, it was recommended to the Imam to grant the
terms of pacification solicited^ by the Wahabis if consistent with the honour and
security of the State of Muscat.
Covvespondence with the Wahahis, 1813.
28 In the course of 1813, on a Wahabi envoy to Muscat announcing his arrival
Neid Precis at that place to 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. with the object of restoring "the
Nejd . reels, * o{ ^ betvveen the two powers," the Governor of Bombay wrote in
reply * " Entertaining, as I have always done, the most friendly disposition towards
vour master I conceived it my duty even previously to the receipt of your letter to
instruct Mr Bruce the British Resident at Bushire, to communicate with His
Hio-hness Sand bin Abdul Aziz, and to establish such an amicable intercourse with
him as cannot fail to be equally advantageous to both conn tries as well as for the
o-eneral benefit of their respective neighbours, and it is with feelings ol particular
satisfaction I observe Your Excellency has stated that a corresponding desire is
sincerely entertained by His Highness Saud bin Abdul Aziz, and I shall therefore
look forward with confidence to the speedy attainment of our reciprocal wishes.
Wahahi Overtures, 1813-1814.
2° The Wahabi Amir had in 1810, in reply to British representations, intimated
that he had interdicted his followers from molesting British vessels. Late in 1813,
threatened by the advance of the Egyptians, he made overtures to the 1 ohtica
Resident indicating his desire to form a connection with the British Government of
mutual amity and friendship which might be beneficial to both states ana,
acknowledging the superiority of rhe British over every other nation at sea
proposed that the ports of each State should be open to each other and a Iree and
unmolested trade carried on by their subjects.
30 The Government of India, however, while considering it politic " to maintain
a friendly intercourse with the Wahabi Chief and to endeavour by cordial and
18 2 1814 conciliatory conduct to confirm the amicable disposition which he appeared to
lor I 1077. entertain towards the British Government," thought it undesirable at this moment
to enter into any regular engagement with him, even of a commercial charactei.
British Proposal for Anglo-Eyptian Co-operation against Jowasimis rejected
hy Egyptians, 1819.
31. In 1819,on hearing of the successes of the Viceroy of Egypt against the
Sadleir, Wahabis and of the arrival of the Egyptian expedition on the Arab littoral of the
Diai T Gulf, the Government of India endeavoured to arrange with Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. for
(1866). i^ j 0 i n t operations against the Jowasimis, with w^hich Muscat should be associated, on
4 1091-8 the understanding that in return Ras al Khaima would be made ovei to tie
Egyptians. The British officer (Captain Sadleir) deputed for this purpose arrived
only after the subjugation of the Wahabis and the withdrawal of the Egyptians.
Mehemet Ali ultimately, however, replied that neither he nor the Porte desired or
needed foreign help in dealing with the Wahabis of Nejd.
32. The Chief Secretary, Bombay, writing in 1820, recorded that a lettei had
"lately been received from Hussein bin Rahmah [formerly w ahabi vicegerent id
Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and Chief of Ras al Khaimah] referring to a treaty of peace concluded
between 'his Imaum' and us, and professing a desire of continuing on terms o
friendship with the English Government, which has of course been positney
declined."
Bo. Sel.
XXIV, 312.
General Summary , 1808-1818.
33. The Wahabis in the early part of this period consolidated their position
the Hejaz, Hasa, Nejd and Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. . In the latter area their control o 1
Sheikhs, exercised from the oasis of Baraimi, appears to have varied with ^
effective force at their disposal; but to have been particularly close in the ca
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