'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I: Historical and Political Materials: Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904.' [‎17v] (34/68)

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f< These subjects were imprisoned, deprived of food and water, and were ordered to pay a
ransom in 100 dollars each. These British Indian subjects were not even al owed to dispo.^e
of S murdered companion's corpse. These British Indian subjects thus killed or plundered
were peacefully residing in the port of Sur, in the dominions of His Highness the Sultan of
Maskat.
iC I have now to request that your Highness first send to me on board H. M s. S. High
flyer lying between Demaum and Bahrein, a full and written apology for the wanton
outrages on the part of your dependents.
« 2ndly. That the messenger who brings that apology shall bring with him also the sum
of 27,700 dollars being the amount ascertained to have been plundered from the said British
Indian subjects."
“ Srdly. That your Highness give at the same time solemn written assurances that no
similar outrages and butchery shall in future take place.
“ This letter will be handed to your Highness’s Governor of Khatif, who will be request
ed to pass a receipt for the same, and seventeen days will be allowed for the letter to reach
your Highness, and for your Highness to return a reply.
“ If at the expiration of seventeen days the required satisfaction is not given by your
Highness, the British ships of war will destroy the forts on your seaboard, and confiscate your
Highness's craft there lying.
« Only this moment it has come to my knowledge that your Highness’s troops have
attacked the fort of Shaim in the Muskat territories, and driven the British Indian subjects
there residing into the sea. One of these has perished in the surf, the others have come on
board to complain."
101. The Highflyer left Sohar on the same day and anchored in the
outer harbour of Bahrein on the 13th January, to enable the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. to
visit Khatif and deliver the letter for the Amir of the Wahabis. This duty-
accomplished, the £/ghflyer sailed on the 13th to Abu-Thabe, and then
cruised along the Pirate Coast, calling at the principal ports in her course.
On arrival at Ajman, Captain Pasley in compliance with a suggestion communi
cated to him by the Kesident before he left Sohar, proceeded to destroy a
Wahabi tower which dominated that part of the coast. This operation was
judiciously carried out by Captain Pasley without any loss of life to the garri
son. On the 23rd January, the Highflyer anchored at Elphinstone inlet, which
Colonel Pelly had named as a rendezvous. A conference was held on the 25th
by the Resident and Captain Pasley, when it was explained by Colonel Pelly
that he was unable to accompany the Highflyer in the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. steamer to
Khatif, as the state of affairs at Bereymi, Bunder Abbas and Sur, required
his presence near the Sultan. He added a request that Captain Pasley would,
if practicable, destroy two Wahabi war-buggalows which were said to be in
the creeks near Khatif.
105. The Highflyer left Elphinstone inlet on the 28th January, and
Captain Pasley‘s subsequent proceedings will be best described in bis own
words :—
“ I arrived off Khatif on the 30th, and on the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. 's return from the town, he
told me there was no answer from the Chief of the Wahabis ; that the Sheikh (or Governor
of Khatif) said he had no money for me, and requested me to wait twelve days, and he
would be sent to Head-Quarters for an answer.
“ On the 2nd, I sent the boats armed to Khatif, in charge of Lieutenant Fellowes,
with orders to bring out all the Wahabi Dhows that might be in the harbour, and to destroy
the two war-buggalows and a small fort called Burj Bullif which commands the boat channel
to Khatif, which service he accomplished satisfactorily, but there being only one Wahabi
Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. in the harbour, and she not being worth removing, she was destroyed,
“ On the 3rd February, I sent the boats in charge of Lieutenant Long, with orders to
destroy, if possible, the fort of Demaum which is said to command the boat channel to Khatif,
it being a little past high water, he was unable to get the boom boats near enough to be of
use ; be, therefore, took the cutters, with as many men as they could hold from the Launch
and Pinnace, and materials for blowing up the tower : he, however, could not get within 200
yards of the beach, when he waded on shore and succeeded in effecting an entrance to the tower,
but finding the garrison much stronger than be anticipated, (the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. having told
me twelve men) and being unable to gain the inner wall, he was obliged to retreat with, I
regret to say, the loss of three men killed, and two officers, and three men wounded. I enclose
a copy of Lieutenant Long’s report.