Page 519 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

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RESIDENCY AND 1IUSKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1878-79.
7. Shaikh Salih-biu Sultfin, having informed the Native Agent of his
intention to despatch material oE war
Sbnrgnb. (involving armed men and boats) by sea
to the Batinah coast to coerce alleged disorderly dependents in that
quarter, the Agent required him to desist pending reference to the Resi­
dent. Permission was not accorded, and the design was therefore aban­
doned. #
8. Affairs generally at this port have gone on satisfactorily.
9. Shaikh Ilashar-bin-Maktoom is a person of, even for an Arab,
singularly quick and impetuous temper,
Dabny. which leads him occasionally 'to commit
irregularities himself and to excuse them in his people. With consider­
able obstinacy, and in spite of friendly remonstrances made in the first
instance by the Resident and Agent, as well as in opposition to the
advice of his own relations, he neglected demands for redress in three
cases, in which his responsibility was fully established by evidence.
(1) . The first of these was a claim for indemnity due by Shaikh
Ilashar for illegal and unjust detention at Dabay of a Persian vessel.
.
(2) The secoud complaint established was an attack by Dabay boats
on a Persian boat at Delma Island, and abduction of a 6ailor therefrom,
with other violence.
(3) Thirdly, Shaikh Hasliar had used undue and unjust harshness
.
towards Indian traders residing at Dabay, on false allegations.
10. It was eventually necessary to enforce compliance with our
demands by presence of one of Her Majesty's vessels of war at Dabay,
Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, at the Resident's request, accompanied Captain
Wodchou-c, the Senior Naval 0‘iicer, in Her Majesty's Ship Teaier,
and a satisfactory settlement was obtained. A suitable fine was imposed,
and the boat which had been employed in the Delma aggression was
burnt off the port.
11. Shaikh Ilashar thereon came to his senses and wrote a suitable
and ample letter of aj)ology, which was accepted, and the usual friendly
relations resumed. The proceedings were approved by the Government
of India.
12. During the summer of 1S78 much fever prevailed on the pirate
coast, apparently of a malignant type, and some hundreds of persons
died. Scarcity and dearness has also caused much distress.
13. There has been a general cessation of warfare by land, which is
said to be partially attributable to the impoverished condition of the
various tribes.
14-. In February Her Majesty's Ship Spartan visited this coast with
the 2nd Assistant Resident, on which occasion the usual presents
distributed to the Trucial Chiefs. P ^
15. The township of Dabay has of late years increased in population and
importance, and it is now the most considerable port on the coast. Abu-
Zhabi, on the other hand, has decreased. The combined number of boat*
of all sorts and sizes on this coast is estimated at about 2,000 frivim*
employment to some 40,000 persons. A Table has been dmmi w
Viit Appendix B, Part 1L showing approximately the relative pros-
pcrity of the different port*.