"دليل الخليج، الجزء الأول: المواد التاريخية والسياسية: ملخص حول شؤون نجد، ١٨٠٤-١٩٠٤". [ظ‎‎٨] (٦٨/١٦)

8
26-A. But the Supreme Government answered the Imam that it was un
necessary to regulate his reply to any overtures on the part of the Wahabis by
reference to his connection with the British Government, which had always con
sidered itself to be at peace with that tribe, the late co-operation with the Imam
not having been in prosecution of war against the Wahabis generally, but mere
ly for the extirpation of the pirates, whose augmented power and audacity had
endangered the security of his own dominions, as well as interrupted the
commerce and navigation of the Gulf ; that the British Government, therefore,
was no further interested in the contest between him and the Wahabis than
it was solicitous for the welfare and prosperity of the Imam. Under the
influence of that solicitude, and a just sense of the benefits and blessings of a
state of peace, it was recommended to the Imam to grant the terms of pacifi
cation solicited by the Wahabis if consistent with the honour and security
of the State of Maskat.
VI—First Egyptian invasion of Nejd, 1814—1819.
27. The relief, however, which we were indisposed to afford came at this
Subversion of the Wahaii power by the Turkish time to the Imam indirectly, and from
Government. an unexpected quarter, namely, from
Egypt. Soon after the appointment of Mahomed Ali as Pasha of Egypt in
1813, his energetic and skilful character made its influence felt throughout
his Pashalic. He directed early attention to the Hejaz, which was then
held by one of the sons of the Wahabi Chief and entering that province at
the bead of a large force he compelled the Wahabis to vacate Jeddah
and Mecca, and retire within their own frontiers. Alarmed at the determined
attitude taken up by the Turkish Government, the Wahabi Chief sought
to conciliate the friendship of the different powers in the Persian Gulf. He
made overtures at first to Persia, and then to the Resident in the Persian
Gulf, to form a connection with the British Government of mutual amity
and friendship which might be beneficial to both States, and acknowledging the
superiority of the British over every other nation at sea, proposed that the
ports of each State should be open to each other, and a free and unmolested
trade carried on by their subjects. The Supreme Government, to whom these
proposals were submitted, thought it undesirable at that moment to enter into
any regular engagement with the Wahabis even of a commercial character,
but considered it politic “ to maintain a friendly intercourse with the Wah
habi Chief, and endeavour by cordial and conciliatory conduct to confirm
the amicable disposition which he appeared to entertain towards the British
Government.’ , (Letter dated 18th Eebruary 1814.)
28. An Envoy was about the same time deputed by the Wahabi Chieftain
ms'* a Wahabi to Maskat — A ‘ 2) * to Maskat, who announced his arrival
at that place to the Bombay Govern
ment, with the object of restoring “ the relations of amity between the two
powers.*’ In reply Sir Evan Nepean wrote—
Entertaining, as I have always done, the most friendly disposition towards your master
I conceived it my dnty, even previously to the receipt of your letter, to instruct Mr. Bruce, the
British Resident at Buslnre, to communicate with His Highness Sand bin Abdul Aziz, and to
establish such an amicable intercourse with him as cannot fail to be equally advantageous to
both countries, as well as for the general benefit of their respective neighbours, and it is with
feelings ot particular satisfaction I have observed your Excellency has stated that a correspond
ing desire is sincerely entertained by His Highness Saud bin Abdul Aziz, and I shall, there
fore, look forward with confidence to the speedy attainment of our reciprocal wishes.”
29. The Mahabi Chief Saud died in 1814, and was succeeded by his son
Death of Saud, the Wahabi chief— a.d. ism. Abdullali, who directed his efforts to
,. . . . .. strengthen his authority over the sur
rounding Arab tribes.
30. In 1819 the Turks under Ibrahim Pasha, following up their successes
Jailof the Wahabi Capital of Deriah-A. v. against the Wahabis, advanced towards
their capital of Deriah, which they