'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I: Historical and Political Materials: Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904.' [‎11r] (21/68)

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masters. And secondly, in October 1841 a report having arisen that he con
templated the invasion of Oman, a British Otlicer was deputed to visit him at
his camp in Hasa, seventy miles from the coast, who obtained from him an
assurance that he had no such intention. Indeed, Khalid had no power to
meditate foreign invasion. Deprived of the Egyptians, he was qnite unable to
hold his own in Nejd.
XIII— Abdullah-bin-Suneyan seizes the kingdom- Feysal returns
from exile, 1842-
48. Abdullah-bin-Suneyan or Thaneyyan, a distant cousin of Kahlid, enter
ing the lists against him, after a short and uneventful contest succeeded in wrest
ing his power from him, and becoming fully acknowledged as Euler of the
Wahabis. This happened in Eebruary 1842.
49. The new Ruler had been just a year installed in authority, when
Eejsal re-appeared in Arabia having somehow effected an escape or a release
from Egyptian captivity. The Nejdeans flocked to the standard of the rightful
Prince,” and in June 1843 Abdullah-bin-Suneyan was forced to surrender at
discretion.
Xiv.—(1) Oman threatened. (2) British Policy, 1843—1845.
50. In July 1843 Feysal sent a messenger with letters to the maritime
and inland Sheikhs of Oman, intimating his intention of sending an army under
Syud-bin-Mutluk, on the termination of the hot weather, for the purpose of
bringing that province under his authority. In consequence of this threat the
Chiefs of the inland fort of Beraymi applied for the aid of the British Govern
ment.
“ They were informed, in reply, that the communications formerly entered into with
them by the British Government had reference solely to the advance of the Egyptian
troops, and the connection subsisting between His Highness Mohammed Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. with
Neid ; but that these circumstances being now altogether changed, and the impending dan
ger removed by the departure ot the troops under Khurshed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. from that province, it wa>
now the intention of the British Government to withdraw from all interference in the internal
affairs of Arabia/*
51. At this very time too the R-esident received a communication from the
Amir himself expressive of a desire for
Feysai’8 pacific overtures. the renewal of the amicable relations which
had existed between his father, Turki, and the British Government. Proper
response was made to this demonstration of amity, and the Amit was further
informed that the sole object of the British Government in this quarter was
the suppression of plunder and bloodshed on the seas, and the security of all
well-disposed inhabitants on the shores of the Gulf.
52. In September 1843 the Bombay Government (at that time headed by
Sir George Arthur) enquired of the Gov-
British view of hi, proceedings. eminent of India what policy should
be pursued towards Peysal. The Bombay Government considered that as long
as the Chief remained within his former possessions no interference would be neces
sary, but it nevertheless doubted whether he should he allowed to obtain a piepon-
derating influence at Bahrein and with the Arab Chiefs who were under treaty
engagements to us. To this reference the Governor General (Lord Ellenborough)
in Council replied simply that it was “ not at present necessary or expedient
to interfere with the proceedings of the Chief.’ ,
53. In December the same year Amir Feysal interposed in a quarrel
between two rival claimants for the Chief-
Wahabi interference at Bahrein. ship of Bahrein, and having SCCUied the
victorv for his own protege t appropriated the fort of Demaum as the reward of
his assistance.
54. On the 26th August 1844 the Bombay Government renewed its
enquiry “as to the policy which should be
British Policy. pursued in the now certain event of
Amir Eeysal, the legitimate Wahabi Ruler, extending his authority over the
Chiefs of Oman, and especially if he endeavoured to effect this object by sea.”