Page 93 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter HI- 71

case until ho should present himself in person to do homage to Nnmik Pasha. His Exccllenoy
informed ino, shortly aflor Sheik Fulmd'a arrival, that ho would certainly observo his pledgo to
confirm the terms on which the offico had been conferred upon him, and the period of its
tenure being three years, dating from September lb03 ; but His Excellency affected so far to
countcnanco the candid nature of Sheikh iVasstr, accompanied with odors of increased tribute,
as to induce the former Chief to accept liability for the arrears duo by his predecessor, the
lato Shoik Bunder. This Sheik Fuhud has done, ami the issue augurs well for tho continued
success of the Mesopotamian Telegraph, while the administration of the Montcfig districts
romaina in his hands.
The report of tho success of the lato expedition against the Ilamatound proves to be
premnturo. '1 liesc freebooters, cxaspcra‘cd by tho pursuit to which they were subjected and
by the capture of some of their harems, proceeded to infest the road and to burn down villages
and levy blnok-mail throughout the districts of Shahrizor ; and finally, doubling back up--n
Sulimanich in the absence of the garrison, they threatened that town with pillage. 1 subjoin,
for your Exceilency’6 information, certain items of intelligence which have reached me from
the spot, and which arc in the main confirmed, I tied, by the reports received by Namik
Pasha. Troops have been sent from Bagdad to roinforco the detachments now operating
against the Ilamawund ; but Mis Excellency, I understand, though not from himself, since
he cannot coerce, lias directed Tckkec-oocl-deon Pasha, Governor of Kerkook, to revert to the
system of subsidiziug these turbulcut borders.

No 41, dated tho 23rd August 1865.
From—Colonel A. B. Kemiull, c.d., Her Majesty's Consul-Genual at Baghdad,
To—His Excellency the Right Hon'blb Sib H. L. Uulweb, o.c.d., Her Britannie Majesty’s
Ambassador, Constantinople.
The expedition of Shibli Pasha against the Bahatha and the inhabitants of Bedoor ended
as usual in the retreat of the disaffected tribe,
Political A., Norciubor lf65, No». 81-S2.
after a short conflict, into the marshes of
Doghara and Effej, and in the partial destruction of their mud forts on the borders of the
marsh. Namik Pasha believes that the re|K)it of a confliot is without foundation, and that
the Bahatha and Bedoor people, alarmed at the approach of the troops, entered into engage­
ments to pay up the arrears of revenue for which they are accountable ; but as His Excellency
in conversation with ray6clf rather depreciated tho administrative capacity of Shibli Pasha,
while he praised the energy and activity of that officer, I infer that he is not altogether
satisfied with tho result of tho expedition. The two refugee Khuzail Chiefs have affected
their escape beyond the Euphrates.
Sheikh Abdul Jlfuhsin, the A net eh Chirf, has, on the remonstrance of Namik Pasha,
caused Sheikh Montluk to remove from his camp, but has professed his inability to control
Sheikh Sumair. The adherents of this Chief, supporlod by Dugiiairn, a relative of Abdul
Muhsin, have in the meantime proclaimed th«ir defiance of the Government by carrying off
100 camels belonging to the inhabitants of Baghdad, and grazing in the immediate vicinity
of the city.
More than usual excitement would appear, indeed, to actuate tho Bedowin tribes this
year. Her Majesty’s Vice-Consul at Mosul advises mo that a formidable body of Anezch,
since estimated by Turkish Official Report at 4,000 horsemen and camel riders, have crossed
tho Euphrates into Mesopotamia, but whether in Gliuzzoo ouly (plundering expedition), or
followed presently by their tribesmen in still greater forco to possess themselves of the Sham­
mer pasture grounds, is yet uncertain. The latter design may, perhaps, be inferred from a
telegram which readied Namick Pusha yesterday from the Governor of Mosul, announcing
that a portion of tho Shammer were preparing to cross the Tigris into Assyria, in order to
avoid the threatened attack ; if so, considerable disorder must ensue. Tne preseoce of
Bedowins in the cultivated districts, whether as invaders or refugees, is almost equully to be
dreaded, and however gladly His Excellency would restrict the conflicts between these large
Nomad tvibva to the waste lands west of Mosul, he is unliappily powerless alike to prevent the
encroachment of the one, or the retreat of the other.

No. 20,-datod tho 25th October 1865.
From—Colonel A. B. Kembill, c.b., Hor Majesty's Political Agant and Consul-Genoral at Bagdad,
To—Hie Excellency Si a C. Alison, c.b., Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, Tohran.
The Mesopotamian Sections of the telegraph from Bagdad to Fao have, I believe, uni­
formly worked well as double lines since
Political A., Dccombcr 1666, Nos. 127-128.
the date of their construction. The Inspector in
charge of those sections, Mr. Carthew, is an efficient officer. The mode of maintenance as in
tho first instance established differs ouly from the system generally prevailing in Turkoy by
the rc-duplication of tho Chaooshce iu tho persons of Native " Musscyers/’ or escorts, at thoso
poiuts, where tho administration of the country is vested in Arab Suciks. While tranquillity