'File 38/17 Delimitation of Trucial state boundaries and Petroleum Concession Limited's Concession Areas on the Trucial Coast' [‎39r] (78/225)

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their bedouin seem to regard themselves more as Beni Yas
B * th ^ r than as permanent subjects of either one Sheikhdom.
Whilst, in the latter half of the 19th Century, Abu Dhabi
was intent upon extending its influence in the Buraimi area,
Dubai was growing in importance as a trading centre, which
importance was greatly enhanced when, as from 1902, it
became a port of call for steamers from India and Basra, and
even to this day, Dubai remains predominantly an entrepot
port and a merchant State. In the earlier years of this
century, the sorry history of fratricide amongst the rulers
of Abu Dhabi, together with the consequent lack of internal
security, tended to weaken Abu Dhabi and to confirm the
commercial importance of Dubai. The more recent decline of
the pearl industry has completed this process.
accepted boundary between the two Sheikhdoms lay during the
19th Century. I have, however, heard an unsworn declaration
by Shaikh Abdullah bin Muhammad as-Saadi of Asrar Beni Saad,
a m i n °r Shaikh of the Batinah, who was produced as a witness
by the Shaikh of Dubai. Shaikh Abdullah stated that he was
present in iibu Dhabi in about 1890, at a meeting between
Shaikh Zaid bin K^alifah of Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Rashid bin
Maktum of Dubai at which both rulers verbally agreed that
Khor Ghanadha should form their boundary, the Eastern Shore
being held by Dubai and the Western Shore by Abu Dhabi.
Shaikh Abdullah also stated that the Mediator was Shaikh
Ahmad bin Hilal who is now unfortunately dead. The Ruler of
Abu Dhabi denies all knowledge of any such meeting having
taken place, nor are there any written records extant to
prove Shaikh Abdullah's statement. It is, however,interesting
to note in this connexion, that on page 454 of Volume II of
Lorimer f s Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , published in 1908,
the same boundary is given. (I am, however, inclined to
doubt Lorimer's sources of information in this case, since
his description of Khor Ghanadha itself is incorrect). I am,
furthermore/-
9.
There is no indication as to where the generally
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