"دليل الخليج، الجزء الأول: المواد التاريخية والسياسية: ملخص حول شؤون نجد، ١٨٠٤-١٩٠٤". [ظ‎‎١‎٢] (٦٨/٢٤)

16
of 12,000 crowns, besides arrears to the extent of 60,000 crowns, and the usual
supply of provisions and stores. The Wahabi likewise pledged himself to
assist His Excellency in every hour of difficulty, and the boundaries of the
i _ _ _ • • ^ c *-*4 n i-v-M i'w o i orl n o hPT*ptnfnrp.
XVII.—Feysal’s nominal dependence on Turkey, 1855-
61. The next record of any interest is dated January 1855. The Resident
having found it necessary to point out to Eeysal that the British Govern
ment regarded the Arab tribes on the coast as independent poweis, leysal
replied as follows :—
“ With regard to what you observe that engagements have existed between the Chiefs
of the coast of Oman and the Resident for a period of 30 years, this is well known to me, fheir
object being to guard against the occurrence of irregularities and the harbouring of disorderly
characters, nought else. This is an arrangement of which I quite approve on the part of
Residents, both those who have gone before, and those who come alter, for there is an under
standing between us and the British Government of 100 years duration for the security of
traders and travellers passing on the seas. The coasts of Oman, however, and the territories
thereof appertain to the Peninsula of Arabia under my control, and acknowledging my
authority. Further the people of the districts in the interior of Oman and at the seats of the
Bedouin tribes are more powerful than, and have the command over the inhabitants of the coast
and could not be restrained from preying upon and slaughtering them, but that I maintain a
Lieutenant with a force in Oman, who holds them back from the people of the coast. These
last are well assured of his protection; otherwise, were they abandoned to their fate, they
could not subsist. Moreover, when owing to their negligence, disagreements, too long to be
detailed, and bloodshed have arisen between some of the Chief’s of the coasts aforesaid, there
was none could check them and restore order and good will among them, except the Lieutenant
in charge of Oman, whose office is among the things pleasing to God and bis Prophet, as also
to the Sultan of the faithful—may God strengthen the faith by his means. Being a dependant
of the exalted Turkish Government, I hold the confirmation of the Sultan to my continuance in
authority over all the Arabs. To exemplify this, when Mahomed Ali Pasha, having projected
his schemes against Basrah and Mohammerah and the territory pertaining thereto, enter
taining designs upon India, deputed his envoy t« me, pi'oposing to hold me dearer and
more cherished than his own sons, to induce me to forward his views with respect to the
coast of Oman and elsewhere within the Peninsula of Arabia, and to offer no hindrance or
opposition—for of others, besides the Arabs, he took no account owing to his exalted dignity—
I rephed, ‘ you know that I am a dependant of the Sultan of the Faithful from whom if you
possess orders to that effect let me be informed of them ; otherwise the thing is impossible/
Thereon war broke out between me and him, which lasted two years, and intelligence thereof
duly reached the Sublime Porte, and they (the Sultan’s Government) greatly rejoiced, and
were much pleased with me and my influence and consideration with them increased
exceedingly. May God perpetuate their rule and the glory of their State”.
62. In writing in this strain Feysal’s object apparently was twofold; first to
put forward a general claim to lordship over the whole of Arabia; and second,
to try whether the affectation of being only the Vicegerent of a European
Power might serve to divert the British Government from interference bet
ween himself and the maritime Arabs whom he asserted to be his feudatories.
XVIII.—Renewal of Wahabi attempt on Bahrein—British inter
ference, 1859—1861.
63. After a silence of nearly five years our records resume mention of the
Wahabis. Feysal this time re-appears in his old character as partisan of the
refugee Sheikh of Bahrein_ (Mahomed bin Abdullah) against the de facto
Chief (Mahomed bin Khalifa) with the design of appropriating Bahrein to
himself. Notwithstanding repeated warnings from the Resident, and solemn
assurances of pacific intentions from Eeysal, in defiance even of the presence
of a British-corvette, extensive preparations for the invasion of Bahrein wero
made at Katif and Demaum, including the piratical seizure of some Turkish
and Persian vessels and the impressment of their crews for service in the pro
jected expedition. Hereupon Commodore Balfour with the Persian Gulf
Squadron was despatched to the scene of action, and the very threatening
attitude assumed by this officer soon induced the Wahabi Governor of
Katif to abandon his designs, and humbly sue for pardon. In reporting the
Commodore’s success, the Resident expressed an opinion that we had borne
too long with Eeysal, who, while giving us fair words, still falsified all he said