'ARBITRATION CONCERNING BURAIMI AND THE COMMON FRONTIER BETWEEN ABU DHABI AND SA'ŪDI ARABIA' [With maps] [‎143r] (290/541)

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5 The “Clive left Bahrein on the 20th, and anchored off Aboothahee on
the Evening of the 23rd Instant About 2 P.M. notwithstanding a heavy North
West Wind, Shaikh Saeed bin Tahnoon came on board. I was glad to leara from
him that peace and tranquillity existed both at Sea and on Land, between himseS
and neighbours In the course of conversation he said, that as it was evident the
Power of the Wahabees was declining, the Maritime Shaikhs were inclined to unite
together and expel his Agent from Brymee that he had been invited to join in this
project, but wished to learn the views of the British Government before he engaged
in it. I replied, that it being a matter connected altogether with inland policy it
was not one calling for our interference—that the great desire of the British
Government was to see the Maritime Chiefs independent of all Foreign Powers, and
any measure which tended to promote this desirable object would be viewed with
satisfaction. Shaikh Saad not feeling very well owing to the motion of the Sloop
paid only a short visit, but before he went he mentioned that one of his boats on
her way to Bidda had been boarded by some Bedwins in that neighbourhood and
robbed—I promised to inquire into this affair which I said had not been known
at Bahrein when I was at that Port only a few day’s before—I took an opportunity
of alluding to the Claim of Shaikh Abdool Rahman of Kishm for the balance of
the value of the “ Mumbassa ” Bugla Large trading vessel. , which he had sold to the late Shaikh
Khuleefa—The Shaikh in reply assured me that if the Kishm Chief could establish
his Claim either by Oath or by documentary proof, he would settle it.
6 . Shortly after Sun-rise on the 25th Instant the “ Clive ” anchored off Shargah,
and in the course of the Morning the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. Moollah Houssin came off.
From him I learnt with satisfaction that all the Maritime Chiefs were at peace with
each other, and that no irregularities of any kind had occurred at Sea.
7 . None of the Shaikhs made their appearance until the Morning of the 26th,
when Sheikh Sultan bin Suggur accompanied by his two Sons Abdoollah and
Hajid came on board. The old Man appeared in good Health and Spirits, having
as 1 understood arranged the difficult question regarding the Government of
Shargah to his satisfaction by placing it under charge of his Son Abdoollah, and
removing Ibrahim, who appears to be in disgrace both with his father and Tribe.
To my surprise the loasmee Chief had no complaints to make—spoke in terms of
satisfaction regarding the amicable relations now subsisting between himself and
his neighbours, particularly with reference to his recent reconciliation with his long
standing enemy the Shaikh of Amulgavine. In reply to my congratulations on the
last years Pearle Season having passed without the occurrence of a single act of
irregularity, and the expression of my hope that the Shaikh would make such
arrangements for the approaching one, as would enable me to repeat these
congratulations on my next visit; he remarked, that the most fertile cause o
irregularities on the Pearl Banks was the flight of individuals from their own Monies
to the neighbouring Tribes, after they had received advances of Money to enable
them to proceed to the Fishery, that by a mutual Engagement between himself and
the Shaikhs of Ejman and Amulgavine, it had been agreed that such fugitives should
not for the future be received, but compelled to t0 ^ ce tn acce de
arrangement however Shaikh Mukhtoom of Debaye had ® t u e
and therefore he / Shaikh Sultan / begged that I would use my i , .
Debaye Chief to induce him to waive his objections, and become ^ Party
Engagement referred to. Having long been ot opinion tha a i and tend
of this nature if fairly carried out, would remove many causes ° P , ’ , ^
to the maintenance of a more friendly feeling among the Ma U non the
Arabian Coast, I readily consented to speak with Shaikh .• f t ?on that
subject. Before Shaikh Sultan took his departure I expressed my satisfac that
no breach of the Treaty for the suppression of the Slave Trade warn
by any of his subjects last year, adding that I trusted he wou durin®
all his people of the consequences if \sic\ any violation of is g g ~
the ensuing Season which he promised to do. „ nf f , nv narticular
8 . My next interview was with the Shaik of Ejman, but JLtinued devotion
interest was discussed. Shaik Abdool Azeez assured me of . . amon „ his
to the British Government, and his desire to put down a rr g infraction
people. In reply to the expression of my regret that the y , t j iat ^is
of the Slave Trade Treaty had occurred at Ejman, the been brought from
own people were quite guiltless—that two Slaves had cer y & been
Muscat by Sooedan bin Fal, who was now in Bidda, but that they nau
surrendered to the British Agent. ... ,,, ,, AVt visitor was Shaik
l The Ejman Shaik having taken his ^ e P.^ rt ^ e er y sa ti 0 n it was sufficiently
Mukhtoom of Debaye, From the tenor of his Con