Page 39 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter I. 17
retired to tho Turkish ground nt Mohammerah. Two other Sheikhs of the
same family wore set up by the Moatcraad, while tho expelled Governor was
strengthening his party by tho aid of tho Arabs at the mouth of tho Euphrates
and was professing deep submission to tho Turks and soliciting their coun-
tcnanco.
CG. Tho Turks were not at first decided whom to support, important as
the crisis was to tlioir interests in this disputed and commanding portion of
thoir country. Taking advantage of this indecision of tho Turks, the Moatemad
notified to the Governor of Basrah, that his troops would seek the ex-Sheikh at
Mohammerah and request him to send tho Turkish fleet to that point to
prevent the flight of that chief aud his
Secret C., dated 24lb January 1842, No». 41-45.
followers (Colonel Taylor’s despatch to
tho Secret Committco, No. 38, dated 24lli November 1811).
67. In a subsequent letter, dated 24th December 1841, Colonel Taylor
reported that Sheikh Thamer had fled to Grane, and that the Pasha of Baghdad
had apparently acquiesced in the nominations mado by tho Moatemad to the
Government of the Kaab district. The Moatemad took possession of tho Turkish
fort and town of Mohammerah, which had been abandoned by the Turks and
threatened to advance to Do Aijee on the left bank of the Shat-cl-Arab, the
limit of Kaab district towards Basrah, as claimed by tho Persians. But the
Montefik Arabs prevented tho further movement of the Persians. The Tur­
kish officers appear to have made a very tardy demonstration against the
encroachments of tho Persians (Resident’s despatch No. 41, dated 2-Uli Decem­
ber 1841). Tho pretenders were confirmed
Sccrot C., dated 30th March 1812, Nos. 31-35.
by the Persian Govornor in their positions
on their payment or promising to pay about £5,000 (Dospatch No. 3, dated 27th
January 1842).
68. The Moatemad met, however, with little success in getting a reliable
Governor to roplace Sboikh 'lhamcr: the two pretenders fled upon being called
upon to pay tho sum agreed upon far their promotion to authority, and he was
soon obliged to return to Shuster to quell disturbances in Kurdistan and the
Bakhtiari country (Despatch No. G, dated
Secret C., dated Cth July 1812, Nos. 30-33.
24th February 1842).
69. Tho Pasha of Baghdad appears then to havo given instructions to the
Governor of Basrah to aid in replacing Sheikh Thamer, and to call upon the
Tersians to leave Mohammerah. The latter liowovcr were determined to stick
to the place and even laid claim to tho Khuzistau share of the Sliab-el-Arab
as far as Kurnah (Resident’s despatch,
Secret C., dated 17lb August 1812, No. 14.
dated 24th May 1842).
60. In a despatch dated 22nd August 1842, Colonel Taylor stated :—
"It is also added that Thamer, the Sheikh of the Chaab lately dispossessed by tho Per­
sians, is abandoned by this tribe and slighted by tho Turkish Government, that Sheikh Paris,
his nephew, has been nominated to the Chieftaincy by the Persiau and his brother Isa given as
hostage to tho Governor of Shuster, tho greater part of the tribe joining the nominee of
Persia/'
61. A report of the probable restoration of the Mohammerah district to
Secret c.detea F,t,ru„„ lots, tan (Noe. M-26). the Turkish rule as a result of tho nego-
tiations at Erzeraum, appears to have
induced Jabir, the Sheikh of Muhammerah, who had struggled hard against
subjection to the Persian authorities placed over that dependency, to offer
the Turks terms, which would onable him to retain his share of the territory
and to oppose the prospective restitution of the paramount Sheikh by the Turks
(sic). Colonel Taylor’s despatch, dated 18th October 1843.
62. The year following, Mullah Firz Ollah, Persian Governor of Khuzistan,
having brought to a satisfactory arrangement his claims on Sheikh Paris for
tho arrears of revenue, mado a demand on Sheikh Jabir of Mohammerah for
tho arrears of revenue due by him on that district, together with the liabilities
of the Bawi Arab, amounting altogether to a sum of GO.OOO krans. Sheikh
Jabir mado at first a show' of forco with the Bawi Arabs, but on the Persian
Governor advancing with a largo forco and threatening to deposo him and
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