Page 336 - Records of Bahrain (2) (i)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 327

( 25 )

pearl fisheries on the const and in the commerce of
Mesopotamia, Persia, and Arabia. Every day the
importance of the Gulf as a commercial highway
between Europe and the East is increasing. Even if the
political engagements which we have contracted admit­
ted of such a course, and Persia were possessed of
an adequate naval force, it would be almost impossible
and certainly impolitic to commit to her the guardian­
ship of these vast and varied interests. Any indication
on our part even of a desire to do so would probably be
followod by the dcclino of trade, the outbreak of hosti­
lities, piracy, and plunder, and a return to the disorder
and lawlessness which during the last half century we /
have so successfully restrained. ^

We have the honor to be,
My Loud Duke,
Your Grace’s most obedient, humble Servants,

j/'„ . //. ,/

c