'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I: Historical and Political Materials: Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904.' [‎13v] (26/68)

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bombarded Detnnum, a plaee which, as lying within the territory of " Feysal
Beg, the Kaunmakara of Nejd,” was “ part of the hereditary dominions of the
Sultan.” To which Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad replied
that we had hitherto “always maintained direct relations with Amir Teysal
as well as with all the Chiefs and Principalities situated on the shores of the
Persian Gulf”; that our pacific policy in the Gulf was well known, and
that in the prosecution of that policy we “ had never acknowledged the autho
rity or jurisdiction of any other State-an authority and jurisdiction moreover
which assuredly the Porte neither does exercise nor has ever exercised in that
quarter.” In reporting this correspondence to Her Britannic Majesty s Am
bassador at Constantinople the Consul-General wrote as follows
“ Although it may not be denied that, since the Egyptian invasion of Nejd in 1S39-4-0,
AInir Feysal has remained tributary to the Turkish authorities of Mecca, his tribute being
regarded probably as an offering to the bead of the religion it is certain that the Forte has
never exercised any jurisdiction, or attempted to extend its authority, over that country.
Were it otherwise, were a Turkish administration established capable of controlling the
province, restraining the Wahabis and their dependants from the piratical practices for which
they were once so notorious, and finally of preventing or giving satisfaction for any breach of
international law, such a state of things might be as conducive to good order, as it would be
certainly less burdensome to the British Governmeut than the maritime surveillance, wmch,
in the interests of commerce, the British Goverment is now compelled to maintain in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . But in point of fact, the Porte has not the power to punish or coerce its tribu
tary ; not a single Turkish functionary exists in the country; and to judge from my own
experience of the duties of the British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , I feel assured that, were
the relations of that officer with the Amir of Nejd to be disturbed in a manner to_ withdraw
the Wahabi Coast from his immediate supervision, the effect must be highly prejudicial to
the policy which has hitherto obtained under the orders and sanction of Her Majesty's Indian
Government in that quarter "
68. In April 1862 the Resident reported that he was making another and a
final effort to effect a peaceable settlement between Amir Peysal and the
Chief of Bahrein, but that he much feared open war between the two parties
was inevitable.
XXI—(1) Differences between the Sultan of Maskat (2) Amir of
Nejd, 1864-1865.
69. Towards the close of 1864, the Chief of Bostack (whose family had
been dispossessed of Sohar in 1849) displayed a hostile spirit towards the
Sultan of Maskat and proposed to transfer his allegiance to the Wahabi Chief
• Letter No. 277 , dated the 3rd December under certain conditions of tribute payment.
1864. Colonel Disbrowe reported* to Government
on the 3rd "December 1864, that the Sultan had engaged in an expedition
against this Chief, but that it had accomplished little, owing to the inter
ference of one of the Wahabi Amir’s lieutenants.
70. In another letter! written on the same day Colonel Disbrowe submit,
t No. 279 , dated the 3rd December 1864. ted an application from His Highness
Syud Thovi eyni, for a supply of ammu
nition, etc., and while pointing out that both the Maskat and Wahabi States
were on terms of amity with the British Government, he observed :—
“Even when His Highness the Sultan of Maskat has been on unfriendly relations with
Wahabi authorties, His Highness has always, during my service in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
received the sympathies of the British Government through its representatives in the Gulf.
Wahabi encroachments are essentially noxious and require discouragement ".
71. Subsequently, the Sultan of Maskat addressed the Bombay Govern
ment confirming the intelligence which bad already been communicated by
Colonel Disbrowe, adding that he had written to the Wahabi Amir, and
suggested that the differences which had arisen, in consequence of the proceed
ings of his Lieutenant Suderi, should be decided by the British Resident in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
72. Colonel Pelly being then on the Arab Coast was requested to report
fully on the differences between the Sultan of Maskat and the Wahabi Chief,
and to employ his good offices if mediation were of any use, but “ to let the