Page 12 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

G ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

11. In May Her Majesty's Ship 1Poodlarl visited Shargah and found all quiet
there, and negotiations on foot between Shaikh Sakar and Salim. Tho new Chief had been
recognized by the other Chiefs ou the coast, and was supported by a body’of the Na'cem tribo
under their Shaikh Mohammed-bin-Ali.
12. Shaikh Salim was anxious that the Residency Agent should guarantee the fulfilment
of conditions of an agreement between him and Shaikh Sakar, which, of course, the Agent re­
fused to do. Various questions were raised about the Island of Boo Moosa, the horses thereon
and 60 forth, to which general answers were relumed, and the rival Shaikhs were advised to
come to an amicable arrangement.
13. In May Shaikh Salim paid a visit to Lingah, to consult with tho deputy Governor,
Shaikh Yoosuf, who is of the same clan. Subsequently Shaikh Salim sent a number of horses
from Boo Moosa to Lingah.
l*t. In July Shaikh Salim baring gone to Debayc, an agreement was effected between
him and his nephew, the fulfilment of the terms by either side being guaranteed by the Chiefs
of Ras-el-Khaimah and Debaye. Under this agreement Shaikh Sakar was to allow Shaik
Salim a yearly allowance of 600 dollars, and the latter was to retain possession of his private
lands and property; whilst Salim engaged to recognize and bear allegiance to Sakar. No
mention was made in the agreement of the Shargah dependencies on the Batinah coast.
15. Iu January 1831, Shaikh Sakar addressed the Resident informing him that Shaikh
Salim having failed to adhere to the terms of the treaty, the Chiefs of Ilas-cl-Khnimah and
Debayc bad declared themselves absolved from further responsibility in the matter. Shaikh
Sakar staled that Shaikh Salim was residing on Boo Moosa, a possession of Shargah, and that
it was to he feared this might lead to disturbances by sea. The Resident was asked to take
security from Shaikh Salim, binding him not to break the maritime peace.
16. In reply, Resident informed Shaikh Sakar that he was sorry the agreement between
him and Shaikh Salim bad fallen through; that lie did not apprehend any breach of the mari­
time truce on Salim's part, but that if be or others should infringe the rules relative to the
sea they would be promptly repressed.
17. Up to the present the cx-Chief of Shargah continues to reside on the Island of
Boo moosa, Sha:kh Sakar governing Shargah. Tho condition of the dependencies ou the
Batinah coast is unsettled, and the situation generally cannot be regarded as stable, but there
are no signs of Shaikh Salim’s cause improving in its prospects. Shaikh Sakai- has allied
himself by marriage with the Chief of Ras-el-Khaimah.
18. The Chief of Abu Dhcbbec had several affrays during the year with marauders of
the tribes Al-Morrab, Monasir, and Beni Ilajir. In August he .asked assistance of the Chief
of Debaye, who allowed his Bedouin dependants to join the Beni Yas. In October the combined
forces defeated the Al-Morrah, killing about 30 and capturing some cattle. In October the Al-
Morrah and Monasir made reprisals, and in November Shaikh Za’eed despatched a force of
750 men of various tribes as far as the vicinity of £l*Obeyd, where they came on the Al-
Morrah and killed 17 of that tribo, and captured over 1,000 camels. Other encounters occurred,
but in December the Beni Yas Chief came to terms of peace^with tho Al-Morrah and other
hostile tribes.
19. Heavy gales were experienced on the pirate coast in February and March last and
several boats were wrecked.
20. A bad form of malarious fever prevailed daring the year, causing many deaths.
21. The pearl-diving was fairly productive, and a new bank was discovered in three
fathoms,, south of Halool island.
3.—BAHRAIN.
22. The Bahrain islands have enjoyed perfect tranquillity during the year.
23. In June Shaikh Mubarik, of the tribe Bl-Sabah, one of the Kowait Shaikhs, came to
Bahruin on a friendly visit to the Chiefs; he was very warmly welcomed, hospitably treated,
and received numerous presents on leaving. Shaikh Mubarik is sometimes employed by the
Turkish authorities in affairs requiring diplomatic action, but if his visit to Bahrain had any
object beyond pleasure, it did not transpire.
24r. In September Her Majesty's Ship lKoodlarl having called at Bahrain on her way to
Bushire, Shaikh Eesa-bin-Ali expressod his wish to pay tho Resident a visit at Bushire, and
Captain Ncsham offered the Chief a passage across, which he accepted.