Page 43 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1883-84. 37

},is resllcss and enterprising spirit urged iiim to step over a cousin's body to seize with avidity
the reins of power at a time when his country was harassed by foreign invaders and torn by
intestine commotion. At such a time an abler and more experienced prince might well have
shrunk from accepting the burden, but Sa'ccd apparently felt himself equal to the position and
proved himself to bo so. Hie courage, capacity, and sustained energy enabled him to combat
aud eventually triumph over all difficulties until he had leisure to devote to the well-being of
his own dominions, which he extended and raised to a pitch of prosperity they had never befoxe
witnessed. In character Sa'ccd was a genuine Arab and possessed the contradictory and irre­
concilable qualities common to that race. lie was very courageous, and on many occasions
displayed exalted personal bravery; lie was amiable, and gentle, though fiery and vindictive ;
generous, yet niggardly; just and lenient, yet too often cruel and perfidious. He appears to
have been above the average in general ability of his family, which is unqnestionably one of
superior intelligence in 'Oman, and he was admittedly unrivalled in the tact and discrimination
he exhibited in dealing with the Arab tribe*. One dees not look for high statesmanship in a
prince accustomed to such tortuous methods of rule as Sa'eed preferred, and bis frequent failures
and ill-coDsidered campaigns arc sufficient to disrobe him of any pretension to military genius.
But be can claim the distinction that ho was the first Arab prince to effect the pacification of
the East Coast of Africa ; that be was at ouc period the first naval power in the East, not ex­
cepting the British, and that by his encouragement and protection of commerce lie made his
capital the emporium of trade between India, Persia, and Arabia, aud immensely increased the
wealth of bis country. Whilst still young, Sa’eed liad followed the example of his father, Sultan,
and engaged extensively in trade, freighting his ships at every port in the Indian Ocean.
Attracted by the equity of Sa’eed's governmeut and the superior security of Muscat from
piratical neighbours, the merchants of Bahrein, Basra, and Persia soon flocked to the port, which
thus became an important entrepot and rose in a few years from an insignificant town to a city
of 60,000 inhabitants.
The rapid development of East African commerce was equally due to bis fostering care and
protection, and the wisdom and foresight he displayed in this matter were rewarded by the
increase of his revenue, which was mainly derived from customs dues, from 200,000 dollars
when he first assumed power to five or six times that amount in his later days. On nothing
did Sa'ccd lavish more money and attention than in acquiring and arming ships of war, and as
regards number, and so he possessed certainly a respectable fleet. The largest vessel he ever
possessed was the Liverpool, a two-decker of 74 guns, which put to sea in 1S26, and was presented
by Sa'ccd to King William IV about ten years later. In 1S-1-7, when his navy was somewhat
reduced, it is said to have consisted of 9 frigates and corvettes, of which the largest was
the SftaA Allan of 54 guns, and half a dozen sloops and brigs. Sa'eed, however, liad little
real use for his ships, and did not know how to employ them; they were never kept in
proper order, but were allowed to lie rotting in the harbour, where the appearance of power
served nevertheless to gratify his vanity and love of ostentation in such matters. In 184-0,
when Mohammed Ali was threatening 'Oman and hostilities were anticipated, the Indian
Government had some thoughts of utilising Sa'ccd's fleet in their naval operations, until it was
represented to them that, as the vessels were neither in seaworthy condition nor properly found,
it would require a greater expenditure than was advisable to render them fit for service.
Sa'ecd's relations with the British Government were from almost the commencement of
his career of the most friendly description, and, though this was of course in part the dictate
of policy, for on several occasions his rule only escaped collapse by our timely intervention,
yet he was unquestionably well disposed to us at heart; and the son who has followed closest
in his father’s steps in this respect, Toorkce, has been heard to say that Sa'eed repeatedly
counselled his children to stand at all times loyally by the British Government, and never to
refuse any request that might be made by them. According to Oriental usage the intimate
relations existing between the British and Muscat Governments were marked by a constant
interchange of presents. In return for the Liverpool Sa'eed was presented with a beautiful
yacht called the Prince Regent; and. the magnificent presents despatched by him to Her
Majesty on the occasion of her coronation were similarly acknowledged.
Sa'eed bad altogether three wives, two Persians, of whom the less said the better, and
one Arab lady, vis,, Azza-bin-Soyf Al-bu-Saudee, whose only child died young. All hit
other children, numbering twenty-four sous and about half os many daughters, were by
conoubines. * *