File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎116v] (16/152)

6
arranging for Saltan Husain’s public submission to his uncle but I venture to think
that no doubt as to his having done so can ever now arise in view of his departure
from Shehr and the surrender of Husn-Al-Riadth and Bar Nasir and his actual
submission to his uncle in presence of myself and Khan Bahadur Muncherji
llustomji Dholu, C.I.E.
17. Until he receives his share of the property Sultan Husain will receive two
hundred dollars monthly as already arranged by General Maitland and I have
urged the Sultan to hasten the Mansab’s proceedings and will again address him
on the subject.
18. I would here mention for the information of Government, that I consi
der the conduct of His Highness the Sultan to have been admirable throughout
the present proceedings and that matters have terminated so far satisfactory
as they have done, in a great measure owing to his generosity and willingness
to overlook his nephews’ rebellious conduct.
19. Arrived at Balahaf about 7-30 a.m. on the 18th instant. Burins: the
voyage from Shehr to Mokalla, Sultan Ghalib, son of His Highness the Sultan,
informed me that he had received letters from Sultan Mohsin-bin-Saleh admitting
that he had four * suras * of dollars taken from the wrecked buggalow Large trading vessel. “ Fateh al-
Salam ” and saying that he would restore half, if they agreed to his keeping half.
Kow the manifested value of the cargo and specie was as under—
Nine donkeys ...
%%%
Ks.
305
Goods
• ••
• ••
• ••
...” 13,850
Specie ...
• t t
• ••
• ••
... 5,700 dollars.
Ship and Nakoda
• « •
r 32a „
1 140 Rs.
In all probability the goods after the wreck were of little or no value if any were
saved at all. 'VYhat became of the donkeys is not known. There remains how
ever the specie, seven packages in all, of the aggregate value of about Rs. 9,000.
On arrival I sent ashore to see if Sultan Saleh-bin-Abdulla and Mohsin-bin-
Saleh had obeyed my summons, but my messenger returned with Sultan Ahmad-
bimSaleh, brother of Mohsin, who alleged that my messenger had gone one
way while he had come another way. This I considered must have been a direct
falsehood as there was nothing to bring Ahmad Saleh to the coast at this season
of the year and I felt certain that his brother Mohsin was close at hand but had
sent on his brother to see how matters were to be dealt with. Ahmad Saleh
admitted that his brother Mohsin had four packages of dollars. Knowing Arabs
as I do, little doubt was left in my mind that as he admitted he had four of the
packages of specie, in reality he had the whole. In any case it seemed to me that
there was little chance of recovery of the cash within a reasonable period and
that condign punishment was necessary to prevent a repetition of these acts of
piracy which have become too common of late and for which no punishment has
ever yet been meted out. Having cleared every one out of the fort, I proceeded
on board H. M. S. “ Persew” and desired the Commander to demolish the fort
which he did within the space of twenty minutes. A party of Dublin Fusiliers
and Sappers were then landed to complete the demolition which was thoroughly
and completely accomplished.
20. Sultan Ahmad Saleh is the favorite brother of Sultan Mohsin Saleh and
was a few years ago convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for smuggling
arms. I have brought this man to Aden and intend to keep him here as a politi
cal prisoner pending repayment of the looted specie.
21. After re-embarking the troops, ths"Perseus” and “Mayo” proceeded
towards Aden, the “Perseus” parting company and proceeding independently.
The “ Mayo ” arrived at Aden on Saturday evening the 19lh instant.