Page 34 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

12 Part I.
interest therein, I notified to the Government my intention of sending down the Swallow
to prevent it, but the Mussalccm and nil the Ions begeed I would not have recourso to violent
measures and they would give me n letter to the Cliaub, with a Mumhasheo on their part.
Ho was despatched this day with a suitable letter from me upon the occasion.
Saturday Jo.—News arrived that the Bashaw’s army was marched towards Ilassira
where they defeated part of tho Bcnaloom Arabs, and that tho Bashaw was in person nt a
place called Uson, from whence ho proposed coming to Bussorah and then proceed to attack
Shaik Soliman tho Chaub.
30. Thia movo of tho Pasha alarmed tho Kaab Sheikh Salman and
induced him to withdraw to his territory. Hut while the East India Com­
pany’s Agent was congratulating himself on getting rid of their trouble, ho
received a phinnaun from tho Pasha asking for the assistance of tho Com­
pany’s ships to make a war against, the Kaab. The only vessel available was tho
Tartar, which was about to sail to the Presidency with a large cargo, and to
avoid displeasing the Pasha, the ship was unloaded and placed at his disposal.
31. While the Kaab were a source of disturbance at the delta of the Karun
and Euphrates, a little down the gulf at Bunderik, an Arab Shoikh of tho Beni
,. . _____ . , .... Saab tribe a man who had* murdered bis “
,
...
•A go^l Recount of tins Moor M^ana will no - .
..
found in Nieiuhr'M Traveti, elm pier civ, mui Low's father, mother and sisters and several
Jlitiory oj Indian Navy, Volume I, page* 162— other near relations and was one of tho
6G.
execrable tyrants that ever existed, was
carrying on a corsair’s career off tho Karak island, to the terror of the shipping
in the gulf. Ho was tho one chief on the Persian coast, whom Karim Khan had
failed to subdue. The Vakil in permitting the establishment of the East Indian
Company’s factory at Bushire and making
tSco Aitcbioson'i Treaties (1892). Volume X, page 33.
his grant of privileges!, asked on 1763 for
English assistance with their ships to reduce Mecr molinna. The Agent at Basiah
Mr. Price, though anxious to comply with the Vakils’ request, had no vessels
to spare for the blockade of Bunder Ig, while the Persian army would attack
t Sco Itarah Factory Di;«ry No. 1-103 of 17G3- the town by land.} TllO question of Send-
6», page 30. Setechout, K0. cxlix. ing cruizers for tliis purpose was referred
to the Presidency. The proposal ultimately took the shapo of placing guard-
ships in the .gulf—tho cost of which would have to be paid by the Persian
Government.
32. During these negotiations, Karim Khan was preparing to march against
Basrah Factory Diary No. 2-194 of 17G1-C3, pago Bunderik, and the fleet of the Sheikh of
67.
Bushire carried on operations against tho
gallivats of Meer Molinna. In October l76di the Persian licet was reported to
have been pursuing the Bunderik gallivats, and Meer Mohana plundering
the villages near Bushire.
33. In April 3765, Karim Khan was about to cross the river near
Howiza to attack the JCaab, and it was reported that Meer Mohana had
purchased his peace from the Vakil by means of valuable presents and had
placed his ship at the latter’s disposal in order to prevent tho Kaab Chief from
escaping. In May several of Karim Khan's forces came in sight of minoc
numbering nearly 800, on 1 lie other side of the river. The Turkish gallivats
were fitted to go against tho Kaab, but at the best they made a miserable
figure and seemed very little capable of action. Tho Kaab Sheikh seemed
to have sheltered himself in an island below the river called Dorak and it
was expected he would defend himself there till absolute necessity obliged
him to fly, in which case it was said, ho had already secured an. asylum
for himself and his people, where the Persian forces could not follow him.
31. On the lltli May 1765—as the Mussalim was proceeding down the
river with liis forces, he received letters from Karim Khan expressing dissatis­
faction at the Turkish tardiness in joining Persian forces, for which reason he ha
determined to wait no longer. The Vakil marched back to Persia soon after,$
§ iVof«—Malcolm says that Salmsn alarmed at Karim Khan’s superior ouiubors embarked in hi*
and sought refuge in the neighbouring small islands, but ho was glad to snvo from destruction hi* .
grain and the largo plantation of dates, in which tho population of this part of Persia chiefly depend for si £
fence, by the payment of n considerable sum aud a proiuiso of regularity in tho future rcinittanco o
(History of Persia, Yolmno II, page 130). , .
But see Curzon's Persia, Volume 11. pago 332. whero it is stated : " But it is moro currently boiieveo
by cutting tho dyke-, which every who:o n gulato l tho ditohe-, canals and at roams of a country r.
supply, and so converting tho plains intoia swamp, ha reduced the Invaders to iinpotouw.”