Page 85 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1873-74. 7?

Batinali attacked and captured the fort of Mesnaah after a short siege,
and the British subjects resident there were plundered and one killed'.
Syud Ibrahim was called upon by the Acting Political Agent to evacuate
the fort and to make reparation for British losses, and having declined
to do so was dislodged therefrom by Her Majesty's Ship Philomel.
The Political Resident, Colonel Ross, arrived at Muscat on the
23rd March, and after communication with the Sultan proceeded to
Mesnaah, which had in the interim been re-occupied and garrisoned by
Syud Ibrahim. Syud Ibrahim was again caused to withdraw his force
from the fort, which was then, in accordance with the Sultan's request,
bombarded and destroyed by Her Majesty's Ships Rifleman, Philomel,
and Hugh Rose. An indemnity of $15,000 on account of losses sustained
by British traders was imposed on Syud Ibrahim and the Yal Saad tribe
by the Political Resident, who then returned to Bushire.
These measures have had the effect of checking the operations of
the rebellious faction in the Batinah for the present, and were His High­
ness able to take the field in force and oppose the insurgents it is probable
the revolution would speedily be put an end to, as it is, it seems likely
slowly to increase, llis Highness Syud Toorkee's position and power
have for some time from bad health and other causes been steadily
declining, and his tenure of the Sultanate may be considered decidedly
precarious and insecure. It is to be hoped, however, that by good
counsels he may be able to come to some favorable arrangement with Syud
Ibrahim and the rebels, and that the dangers now threatening may- be
thereby averted.
Official Changes.—In the month of March IS74 Surgeon A. S.
Jayakar, Civil Surgeon, proceeded to Bombay on sick leave preparatory
to obtaining a final certificate to Europe. He was succeeded by Sur­
geon C. T. Peters, M.B., who assumed charge of the Civil Surgeoncy
on the 2Sth March 1874.
Slave Traffic.—The year 1873 was marked by the mission of His
Excellency Sir Bar tie Frere to the Sultans of Muscat and Zanzibar to
conclude treaties and engagements for the more effectual suppression of
the East African slave-trade, the experience of the last few years having
conclusively proved to Her Britannic Majesty's Government that the
existing treaty engagements did not suffice for the attainment of the
object for which those engagements were framed. In consequence of
the excitement and deterrent effect produced among the dealers and
those interested in the trade by this mission the importation of slaves
into Oman was almost entirely checked, and so far as is known only
a very few slave bugalows arrived with cargoes during the season.
No captures were made by Her Majesty's cruizers during the year.
His Highness Syud Tookee issued a proclamation in April 1873
abolishing all traffic in slaves in liis dominions, and threatening punish­
ment to those who disobeyed.
Trade.—The trade of Muscat appears to have slightly declined
during the past year. The value of both imports and exports being
below those of the year before. This was, however, to have been
expected, as owing to internal dissensions and other causes Muscat has
been slowly and steadily declining as a commercial port for some years.