"دليل الخليج، الجزء الأول: المواد التاريخية والسياسية: ملخص حول شؤون نجد، ١٨٠٤-١٩٠٤". [ظ‎‎٢‎٠] (٦٨/٤٠)

“ This sudden change of the policy on the part of Namik Pasha was announced to me hy
His Excellency in person on the same day, when I could perceive that His Excellency s views
and sentiments with respect to the alleged con -
I am aware that His Excellency applied by tele- o£ ^ Wahabis wi th the Porte had
fhe TurkiHi’ M^stf/tbere" to ^ause "theSuspension undergone considerable modification; and whereas
of ope ationi against Katif. he betore loudly asserted the rightful suzerainty or
the Sultan over Nejd, he now spoke of that connection in terms of indifference, if not of
aversion.
“ The ostensible ground of Abdul Aziz’s dismissal was the inferiority of bis rank for the
conduct of so important a mission, but at the same time His Excellency admitted that the
letters he had received from Amir Abdullah bin Feysul were ambiguously worded; and he
enlarged upon the treacherous and ambitious character of that < hief, as well as upon the
impracticabdity, as evinced hv the failure of the Egyptians to maintain the occupation of the
country, of enforcing an allegiance wh ch, being professed under momentary pressure, would
only be observed by him so long as it suited bis purpose.
“The facts I conjecture to be that Amir Abdullah, when urged by the Authorities of
Bussorah to be more explicit in his communications, not only evaded compliance, but signified
his repudiation of Turkish supremacy by despatching Envoys to Bushire to treat directly with
the British Resident; while, on the other hand, the Ottoman Ministry at Constantinople, so
far from concurring in the views of Namik Pasha, has probably pointed out to His Excellency
the inexpediency of extending to more remote tribes and principalities in Arabia that condition
of qnas /-dependeuce which is found only too onerous and embarrassing in the case of the
Bedouin tribes, whose peculiar status within Turkish limits cannot he ignored.
“Other disquieting rumi urs, too, mav. I think, have influenced Namik Pasha. Some time after
the arrival of Abdul Aziz-es-Soweylim at Baghdad accounts were received that Amir Abdullah
had himself appeared at Koweit at the head of a considerable force, variously stated at 5,0o0
and 30,000 men. He had, it seems, marched to Jebel Shammer in order to surprise two Bed-
onin tribes, the Dhefye and a branch (f the Anezeh, deriving from (subsidized by) the Baghdad
Government, who usually encamp at this season on the Nejd border, from whom during his
father's litetime the zekat, or tithe in token of submission, had been repeatedly claimed, and to
punish whose depredations on Wahabi territory was the professed object of the expedition.
It has not transpired in what manner the Montefig from Sukesh Shiwkh became involved in
the quarrel; but in his pursuit of the Dbefye, Amir Abdullah came into collision with a
combined force of both of these tribes, whom according to the reports first received by Namik
Pasha and myself, he defeated with great slaughter, capturing fiom them many horses and
dromedaries. On the receipt of this intelligence His Excellency telegraphed to the Governor
of Bussorah, desiring him to call upon Amir Abdullah, now halted near Koweit, to suspend
further operations, deprecating hostilities between tribes subordinate to the same authority,
and recommending the mutual restitution of plunder as the basis of accofnmodation ; but since
the departure of Amir Abdullah from Koweit on his return to Riad, His Excellency has
professed to believe that the reports fir-t received were ill feunded, and he adduces the arrival
of 10 Nejd horses and as many dromedaries, selected by the Montifig chief, Sheikh Kuhud,
from the spoils of the Wahabis, h r presentation to His Excellency, as proof of the victory
gained by the Turkish tribes. I append c< py of a further report of the particulars of the
affairs which I received from Mr. Johnst on yesterday evening. It is interesting as illus
trating the normal condition of the Nejd Frontier.”
XXVIII.—Wahabi advances on Eeraymi, 1870—1871.
120. During the contest for power in Maskat, between Sayud Azan-bin-
Gbeis and Sayud Salim, Sideyri, the W T ahabi Lieutenant of Beraymi, was
pledged to the side of Syud Salim. He was murdered, however, hy the Chief
of Shargah on 7th April 1870. On his death the Naim tribe, who com-
plained^ bitterly of oppression suffered at the hands of Sideyri, the late
AVahabi Lieutenant, resolved in their minds how they could free themselves
from the AVahabi yoke, and resorted to the expedient of inviting Azan to
take possession of Beraymi. Azan and his adviser Khuleli not bein^ the
men to allow the grass to grow under feet, the offer of the Naim was accepted
The proceedings of Azan were most probably hastened by a peremptory demand
made on him by the Wahabis for payment of tribute. At any rate, the result
th , at T Azan “ arched on Beraymi with about 1,500 men, and took it on the
lotn oi J une alter a very slight resistance.