Page 36 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

30 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

assistant with ft naval force to Muscat, but in tlio meantime Snood had released his prisoners
on payment of 8,000 dollnrs, and ou the arrival of the Assistant Resident at Barka Saood
withdrew his pretensions and exculpated himself by saying ho had only acted in self-defence.
The quelling of this rebellion and the restoration of tranquillity was attributed solely to
the prompt support afforded to Sa'ccd's authority by the British Government, which encouraged
and brought forward SaVed's friends, while it effectually checked and dismayed tho insurgents;
His rule in recent years had led, it was 6aid, to the formation of a very unfavuorablo esti­
mate of the situation of Sa'ecd, and it was clear that British influence alone had prevented
his immediate downfall. Sa'ecd returned from Zanzibar on the lOtli September 1832, and
after appointing Saood to Rostak on condition of bis giving up Barka, solicited aid in re­
covering Khor Fakan and JDibba, but this was refused by Government, and he was advised
to remain at home in future and protect his Arabian dominions. Sa'ecd when starting from
Zanzibar had ordered Ilamud-bin-Ahmcd, the Wali of Zanzibar, to reduce Magdesho with
the Mombasa fleet. Ilamud accordingly bombarded and sacked that town, which then sub­
mitted. Abdulla-bin-Surveylime was killed on this occasion. Ilis old foes, the Wahabecs
had by this time again turned their attention towards 'Oman, and much anxiety was created
in Sa'ccd's mind by their attitude. He was not in a position to offer any effectual resistance
to their encroachments, and, uuder the advice of the British authorities, deemed it his best
policy to enter into friendly relations with them. lie accordingly agreed to pay them an
annual subsidy of 5,000 dollars on condition of the integrity of his dominions being respected.
A stipulation was also made that each party should assist the other in quelling rebellions in
their respective countries, but this latter engagement was considered impolitic and was dis­
approved of by the British as leading to possible embarrassments.
The arrival at Muscat at this time of the United States sloop-of-war Peacock with
Mr. Roberts, who had been appointed Plenipotentiary to negociatc a treaty of amity and com­
merce with the kingdom of 'Oman, was a notable event in the life of Sa'ccd. The growing
importance of Muscat and Zanzibar as commercial depots had begun to attract foreign mer­
chants, and improvements in the customs regulations soon became a necessity. Tho chief part
of the trade and customs farm a as still, as it had been for centuries, in the hands of Indian
traders, whose position was well known and assured, and in whose favour no cause had arisen
for England to interfere. The American merchants, however, were in a different position.
They had only begun to trade at Zanzibar some ten or twelve years before, and the heavy
exactions and constant annoyances to which they were subjected by the Customs House
farmer and Indian traders, who were jealous of interlopers, compelled them to make representa­
tions to their Governments, which thus took the load in entering into engagements with 'Oman
to remove grievances aud place its commerce on a secure and satisfactory basis.
The treaty which was concluded in September 1833 was of a comprehensive character
and well considered in its details, and formed tbe prototype on which tho English and French
treaties were subsequently drafted.
Sa'eed's engagements with foreign powers had heretofore been confined to conventions
with British India and French colonies, and it was with unconcealed pride and gratification
that he now for the first time found himself placed on a level with the rulers of civilised
States, and, though the capitulations he bad bound himself to observe complicated his foreign
relations, tbe treaty, as he probably foresaw and understood, bad the effect of raising his
position and increasing the trade and prosperity of his country.
It was not in accordance with Sa'eed's character that he should allow the opportunity to
slip without iutriguing to gain some advantage for himself, and, as tbe conquest of Mombasa
was the matter now uppermost in his mind, he offered to allow the Americans to erect fac-
tones where they pleased, at Zanzibar or on the East African ooast, on condition of their
rendering bim armed assistanoe in the prosecution of his plans. It docs not appear that the
United Stales Government reciprocated Sa'ccds' views, nor is it likely they would have con­
sented to engage ia such an enterprise, but the news of the proposal was received in India
with the reverse of pleasure, and Her Majesty's ship Imogen* was soon despatched to observe
the state of affairs. Captain Hart reached Zanzibar in 1881 and was able, not only to frustrate
the proposed scheme, but to obtain Sa'ocd's consent to the negotiation of a similar treaty with
England.
To return to Africa: Sauced had no sooner quitted Zanzibar in August 1832 than a rup­
ture broke out at Mombasa, the result of which was the restoration of Mczeni independence.
Sa'cod had instructed the Wali of Pemba, Nasir-bin-8ultao El Mcskori, a bittor enomy of the
Mezcnit, to proceed to Mombasa and assume the Waliship from Salim. In this demand he