Page 205 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VI—Chap. 2£LI—A. 183

CHAPTER XEI—A.

BRITISH POLICY IN VIEW OF MARITIME DISTURBANCE
CAUSED BY PREVENTION OF MASK ATS PRETENSIONS
TO BAHREIN, 1828-1830.
321-A. In 1828 tlio Imam of Maskat made an attempt to reduce the island
of Bahrein, but ho sustained a dofoat on landing on the island aud some of his
and his allies* ships were captured by the Uttuhis. The Imam began then to
preparo a seoond expedition to Bahrein.
321-B. In May 1829 tho British Government directed their Agent in the
Persian Gulf to endeavour to compose the differences existing between Hi9
Highness and tho Sheikh of Bahrein. Tho offer of mediation was accepted by
His Highness with great alacrity, as the state of liis affairs in Zanzibar
imperiously called upon him to proceed in person to theAfrican Coast, for the
purpose of crushing, if possible, the rebellion of tho people of Mombassa. After
some correspondence, His Highness sent up one of his confidential men for the
purpose of arranging terms, but the Bahrein Chief, notwithstanding the earnost
advice and recommendation of tho political authority, refused to listen to any
conditions of peace, however favourable to himself, that had not the guarantee
of the British Government to them. This, of course, was absolutely refused,
although His Highness earnestly begged that the pledge might be given,
Finding the Bahrein Chief firm in bis determination, the British Resident,
after a correspondence of several mouths, declared his mediation at an end.
"Whether the IJttubi Sheikh conceived that our desire for ptaoe was so strong
that, sooner than fail in the mediation, we should have aoceded to his wishes
regarding tho guarantee, or whether he really regarded our friendly interference
with an eye of suspicion, is doubtful ; but certain it is, that we had no sooner
declined taking any further steps in the affair than peace wa9 concluded
betwixt tho belligerents (through the agency of a dependent of tholmaum, who
had proceeded to Bahrein), on terms perhaps even more favourable to the
interests of His Highness than those offered to the Uttubis through us ; thus
adding another to the many instances in which the offer of our mediation
tended rather to protract than expedite a return to amicable relations.
321-0. The following correspondence that passed during these events
discloses the line of policy we were
Volumo 42-366 of 1829, pp. 137,198 and 212.
inolined to follow at this time on the
question of the Imam’s pretensions to Bahrein and the maintenance of his
influence in the Gulf.
Copy of a letter from the Eon*hie the Governor to Jlie Eighnes» the Itnaum of Jlusiat,
dated 16th April 1829.
Agreeably to Your Highness's commands Aeha itfahomed Shoostureo has communicated
with me regarding the dispute existing between Your Ilighnees and Shaikh Abdoolla bin
Ahmud Alkhuleefa, the Chief of Bahrein, and has consulted me on the part of Your Highness
os to the expediency of Your Highness's tittiug out another expedition against that island.
Had Your Highness made known to mo your views on Bahrein previously to the departure
of the late expedition and the commencement of hostilities on the part of Your Highness,
I should not, sincerely interested as I am in Your Highness’s welfare, and anxious as I feel on
account of the British Government to preserve the tranquillity of the Gulph, have hesitated
a single moment in recommending Your Highness to be guided in this matter by the disinterest­
ed and salutary advice conveyed to you by Your Highness’s friond Mr. Elphinstono in a letter
addressed to you on a former occasion when Your Highness entertainod similar views with
regard to Bahrein; a copy of that letter I now transmit for Your Highness’s perusal.
Coincident as my opinions are on this subject with those of my ro^pected predecessor
Mr. Elphinstone, I mu6t not conceal from Your Highness that the late occurrences in the Gulph
have caused me deep and unfeigned regret, being in every respect liable to cause a renewal of
piracy and depredation in tho Gulph and to involve Your Highness in a protracted struggle
not only with the Ootoobees, but eventuully perhaps with all the tribes of the Gulph.