"ملخص لمراسلات تتعلق بشؤون الخليج الفارسي، ١٨٠١-١٨٥٣" [و‎‎١‎١‎٩] (٣٤٤/٢٣٧)

Part VI—Chap. XLIV.]
217
11. Captain Hennell having thus succeeded in restoring, for a time at least, the con
fidence of the Arab Chiefs, submits his opinion that their present more favorable disposition
will not be permanent unless supported by firm and decided measures of the Indian and Home
authorities. It is suggested that the tone of remonstrance addressed to the Gove nment of
Egypt should become more urgent and peremptory, and that it should be supported by a
military dfnions'.ration on this side, and that in case of the Joasaiee Thief failing to perform
bis engagement by the expulsion of Syud bin Mootluk, he should be compelled by a naval
and military force to do so, to accomplish which objects an augmentation of the number of
vessels employed in the Persian Gulph would become necessary.
12. The measures which ought to be adopted for the preservation of British interests m
the Persian Gulph and the Aiabian shores at the present moment must depend, I am directed
to observe, so much on the line of policy wi ieh Her Majesty's Ministers may think proper to
pursue towards the ruler of Egypt, both with relation to European interests, and on
consideration of the manner in which the remonstrances of England against the encroachments
of Khoorshid Pasha have been virtually neglected, that the proceedings of tlie Indian
Government must be confined to following <>ut that system of conduct towards the Lgyi^tian
authorities which may be recommended, or laid down for our guidance by the Britis > Cabinet.
And it appears to His Lordship that even he were not deterred under this restriction
from pursuing a more immediate course of active operations in support of British interest on
the Coasts of Arabia, it would be imprudent not to wait the event of the measures of
negotiation or remonstrance which are now probably in progress to induce Mahammad Ally-
to recall his army in Arabia from the coa-t. Eor it is evident that no warlike demonstrations
that the Indian (Government lias the means of making in support of those of the Arab Chiet-
tains who may hold out against Khoorshid Pasha would lead to such decisive results as the
complete withdrawal of liis army and his lately estab ished authority by the orders ot" his
master. Nor ci'uld we feel assured from the fickle and faithless character of many of these
Chieftains that our efforts in their behalf would be cordially seconded by themselves.
Khoorsliid Pasha appears to exercise an extraordinary influence over them and while they
remain lukewarm or indifferent to our endeavours to excite them to the maintenance of their
independence, it would require an extent of force to preserve our iiiflu^nce over them, which
it is not consistent with oiher political considerations for the Indian Government at present
to afford for this object.
13. The Maritime Chiefs on the coast of Arabia who subscribi d the Treaty of 1820 are
under certain obli^atiots to the British Government, of which such engagements as the Chief"
of Bahrein has concluded with the Egyptian General are subversive, and it is manifest 'hat,
if this General's process were allowed to go unchecked and uncontrolled, all the other Chiefs,
including the Imaum of Muscat, may be compelled to submit to similar conditions, whereby
their friendlv connexion with the British Government would become dependent on the will
of another Power, and our long continued influei.ce over them, which without infringing
their liberty and independence has been successfully directed to insure their prosperity, and
ta the suppression of their national feuds and acts of mutual violence and aggression, would
be changed for the grinding oppression of a foreign master from whom their commerci;il
intercourse with the British possessions in India would meet with little favor or encourage
ment, The obligations ot" these Chieftains by treaty to the British Government, the stroni?
motives which the Indian authorities feel to maintain their beneficial influence over them,
whereby piracy and slave dealing have been effectually suppressed, and tl e insidious and
unfriendly attempts which the ruler of Egypt persists in making to loosen those ancient ties
by which the British Government is connected with the Arab tribes on the coast, are fit
subjects for the grave consideration of the British Cabinet, and it is fitting that the Indian
Government should suspend any mnasures which may involve it in direct h( stility with that
of Egypt, till the receipt of instructions, consequent on the continued refusal or evasion of
Mahamoaad Ally to attend to the expostulations of Her Majesty's Consul-General at Cairo,
to desist from his projects of conquest on the coast of Arabia from the Home authorities.
I'l', In the meantime His Lordship deems it to be proper, and he trusts th "t it will l>e
sufficient, that such Chieftains as evince a determination to protect their independence against
the encroachment of the Eiiypiian forces, should be cordially assisted in the manner
arranged by Captain Hennell with ammunition, and that officer should continue to proclaim
the just and valid objections of the British Government to the aggressions and pretensions of
Khoorshid Pasha, and should consider himself to be fully authorized to extend his measures
for granting aid in quarters where encroachment is threatened in munitions of war, and in
provisions as may seem to him to be useful and requisite. The means for affording such
aid, including a pecuniary credit of fixed amount, yet such as may be reasonably supposed to
be adequate for the occasion, should be placed by the Hon ble the Governor in Council at
Captain Heunell's disposal, and I am directed to request that the necessary orders may be
forthwith issued for this purpose. It would be very desirable that our naval force in the
Persian Gulph should ba increased to the extent suggested by the Resident, but the probable
demands for ships of war in other quaiters may perhaps preclude the possibility of furnishing
this additional toica at the present moment. A copy of this desra 'ch, with extracts from
Captain Hennelfs letters, will be furnished to His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chi'f
from this office, and Hi"? Excellency will be informed that His Lordship considers it ti be
an object of great and pressing national interest that if possible the request of Captain
Hennell for the presence in the Gulph of two additional ships of war should be complied