'ملف رقم 19/12 البحرين، ملخص شؤون الزبارة لعام ١٨٩٥' [ظ‎‎٩‎٩] (٢٣٠/٢٠٦)

I informed Khalifah-bin-Muharak that there was an urgent necessity for
mv seeing Shaikh Sultan -hin-Mahomed-bin-Salamah with as little delay as
possible, and if he was too ill to leave his bed, I would be glad to go to him.
After a delay of nearly half an hour, I requested the Residency Agent to
proceed to Shaikh Sultan's residence, which was only a few yards off, with the
same message, and after his having gone a few paces in that direction he was
promptly stopped by the two soldiers and ordered not to proceed another step.
I got up to go to Shaikh Sultan's house, and on nearing the soldiers was in a,
like manner stopped, and on insisting to proceed, they seized me by the arms
and informed me that the Mutasanif had givea orders to the effect that no one
should see Shaikh Sultan. I therefore must not attempt to act contrary to the
orders of the Turkish Government. I told them that I could not recognise
those orders and must obey mine at any cost; they therefore had better make
way. They however would not listen and attempted to force me back, where
upon I drew out my whistle for the purpose of; calling for assistance. The
soldiers quickly interpreted my action and released me before I could whistle,
and the Corporal went to give information to the Mudir, whilst the other stood
aside.
It appeared to me that the Mudir would recognise my determination to
falGl my orders at any cost, and it was likely that he would place no further
obstacles. 1 therefore thought it fit to wait a little before making another
attempt which might lead to some undesirable results.
On the Mudir receiving the Corporal's story, he came out and asked the
second soldier why he had been making such a row and forthwith despatched
the Corporal to Shaikh Sultan's house.
Shortly after this occurrence Shaikh Sultan and Khalifah-bin-Mubarak
appeared, and I told the former that as I wished to see him privately, I desired
the absence of the Mudir; and in compliance with the same he requested the
Mudir to retire.
After the retirement of the Mudir T personally delivered your letter to
gether with that from Colonel Wilson to Shaikh Sultan, informing him that
I sincerely hoped he would show his good sense by giving agreeable replies to
both letters.
Shaikh Sultan-bin -Mahomed-bin-Salamah read the two letters in my pre
sence, and their contents caused him to behave in a manner contrary to his
usual habits, and he talked big, stating that he was no slave or subject to
Shaikh Esa-bin-Ali, and though he could not contend against the power of the
British Government, no force or action on their part would compel him to
return to Bahrein; that both he and Shaikh Jasim-bin-Mahomed-bin-Thani
had a few days previously written to Shaikh Esa-bin-Ali on this subject, and
private negotiations were more likely to lead to their conciliation than threats
from the British Government, with whom he has nothing to do.
The Mudir here returned and Shaikh Sultan became more offensive,
threatening both the Residency Agent and the Vizier, adding that they were
the cause of his misfortune and trouble with the British Government. He
then turned round on me and told me that if the man-of-war was to wait for
a month, he would not send replies to the two letters : I therefore had better
not wait any longer.
Seeing further negotiations of no avail, and Shaikh Sultan being disposed
to set the orders of the British Government at defiance, and disregard your
letter, I thought it fit not to prolong my visit beyond this and returned to
H. M. S. Sphinx,
I may add that when Sheikh Sultan made an appearance, he was not in
the condition as reported by the Turkish soldiers to the Interpreter.
No. 3—S.Z., dated Bushire, the 10th July 1895,
From— Colonel F. A. Wilson , Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
To—C ommander J. H. Pelly , R.N., H.M S. " Sphinx."
I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 9th and to state that
your proceedings in carrying out the objects of Government appear to have
been very satisfactory.
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