File 13/3 'SLAVERY & SLAVE RUNNING: MIRZA BIN BARKAT' [‎28r] (66/266)

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C/449.
Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. & H.B.M’s Consulate,
Muscat, the 9th August, 1941.
From
Major T.Hickiribotham, O.B.E.,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. & H.3.M*s Consul,
Muscat.
To
The Hon'ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
Bushire. \y,
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to your Secretary^ Memorandum
No. 743-5/198.S.3, dated the 22nd June, 1941, and to state that
before carrying out the instructions contained therein I should lik€|
to be certain of the political position as regards the Sheikh of
Fujairah.
2. Up till 1901 the Sheikh of Fujairah was a vassal of the
Jawasirn Sheikh of Sharjah but in that year he succeeded in asserting
his independence. We have never recognised his independence and
consequently we have no agreements or undertakings with him.
In 1925 there occurred a serious case of slavery in his
territory and prior to the bombardment of Fujairah Fort he was
addressed through the Sheikh of Sharjah who seems to have still bC
considered as his overlord.
Should the Sheikh of Fujairah now be considered as sub
ordinate to Sharjah or should he be considered as independent ?
If he is considered as a vassal of the Sheikh of Sharjah
he should presumably be addressed by the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain
through his overlord.
If he is now to be considered as independent, as in my ■
opinion he should be, then he can be addressed direct lyt there arq|
no. agreements or conventions between the Sheikh and His Majesty's
Government of Which his present activities could be considered as a
/ breach, M
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