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AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB TUB TEAR 1377-78. 127

Part III.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY, MUSCAT,
TOR THE YEAR 1877-78.
Political.—The ofiicial year 1877-78 commenced with disquieting
rumours of a projected rising of the Sharkiyeli tribes against Ilis
Highness Scyyid Toorkcu's authority, hut as both Seyyid Abdul Azeez
and Ibrahim were disinclined to take the responsibility of joining the
movement unless with good prospects of success, the scheme fell
through; the disaffection, however, continued as it was, unremittingly
fostered by the Me tow was, and it had soon gathered sufficient strength
and consistency for Saleh to be able to throw off the mask of friendship
and allegiance to His Highness and announce his hostility by requesting
His Iiighucss to discontinue the allowance made him. Being impressed
with the necessity of conciliating Sheikh Saleh and of separating him,
if possible, from the rest of the faction, His Highness sent him privately
a considerable present of money by a confidential servant with the view
of regaining his adherence and inducing him to use his endeavours to
dissolve the coalition. The present was accepted by Sheikh Sakh, who
dissimulated with His Highness for the time and soon announced that
he had succeeded in frustrating the movement. He also made this the
basis of a claim for his allowance to be increased by one-half, which
was acceded to.
The result of Seyyid Toorkce’s diplomatic arrangements was that
the month of May passed quietly, the only occurrence being a collision
in the Semail valley between the Ghafiirec-s and Ilinawis, which was
prevented from spreading further by a truce for six months «>c-;ng
mediated by the Vizier Seyyid Said who had been despatched thither
by His Highness for the purpose.
On the 9th June His Highness Seyyid Toorkec and the Acting
Political Agent, Mr. Robertson, received letters from Sheikh Saleh bin
Ali giving notice of his intention to march on Muscat, and on the 14th
Saleli and his followers, whose number was estimated at 1,500, arrived
and occupied Mutt rah without opposition. Up to the receipt of Saleh’s
communication on the 9th no rumours had reached Muscat of the pro­
jected rising, and the announcement had therefore found Ilis Highness
quite unprepared. The only part of the garrison on which reliance could
be placed at this time was a party of 150 Wahabecs and a few Belooch
soldiers. II. M/s S. Teazcr had on the »Sth instant proceeded on a
cruize, but fortunately returned to Muscat on the 15th, the day after the
occupation of Muttrah.
It soon appeared that Seyyid Abdool Azeez was not at the head of
the rebellion as bad been reported. He had met Saleh bin All at
Mansah, but having been unaole to agree to his terms, had returned to
Semed. Saleh then made overtures to Seyyid Ibrahim bin Kais who
arrived at Muttrah on the 17th. All practicable precautions having
been taken for the .lives and property of British subjects, the Acting
Political Agent determined to accord to His Highness Seyyid Toorkee
the armed assistance he had formally applied for, and after dne warning
had been eent to the leader of the rebels, Seyyid Ibrahim, a few shoU