'An Account of the Arab Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden' [‎75v] (155/404)

138 ARAB TRIBES IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
had arrived with certain proposals, and was prepared to go to
Shehr to induce the Kaitf to offer three l&khs for Mokalla and
Burum, or, failing this, to induce him to accept one of the
3 draft agreements, and as a guarantee offered to place Shehr
and Mokalla (if ceded to him) under British suzerainty.
Approving generally of this proposal the Resident sent ’Abdul
H^bfb, accompanied by Mr. S&leh Jdffer, to Shehr in the
“ Dagmar ” on 23rd February, and the “ Dagmar ” returned
on 3rd March.
In reporting on this mission the Resident informed
Government that both belligerents had signed the alternative
agreements presented to them, but that the Nakib hoped
Government would accept the offer of his country to the
British, whereas the Jemddar hoped that sanction would be
accorded to the sale of Mokalla and Burum to him. I he
Resident inclined to the latter course. I he alternative agree
ments referred to were :—
(1) One by which half Mokalla and Burum were to
become the Kaitf’s property, a British officer being
appointed at Mokalla.
(2) One by which the whole of Mokalla and Burum
should be handed over to the Kaitf for 3,00,000 dollars.
(3) One by which the deed of sale of 1873 was to
be treated as void, and the Nakfb was to repay
80,000 dollars and 1,60,000 dollars to the Kaitf.
The Jemaddr of Shehr further agreed (in the event of Mokalla
becoming his) not to alienate Shehr and Mokalla to any foreign
power without the consent of the British Government.
After this the Kaitf garrison in Burum was relieved and
taken to Shehr by the “ Seagull,” and the belligerents
remained quiet in expectation of the orders of Government,
and on the 16th March the “Dagmar” was sent with de
spatches to Commander Byles, who returned in the “ Seagull ”
to Aden.
•
Government having decided that the agreement No. 2
should be accepted, directed that a further agreement be taken
from the Kaitf in regard to the money payments and subject to
the approval of the Government of India. Captain Hunter,
Assistant Resident, proceeded in H. M. S. “ Seagull ” on
15th April, and obtained the Kaitf’s signature to the agreement
for payment of the moneys; but the Nakib was found to