Page 254 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

239
English Government—at a rate in excess of 4 per cent, per invoice value of goods
at the port of export. Should, however, I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of
I Kowcit, or my heirs after me, at any time find it necessary to increase the rate of
customs beyond 4 per cent, ad valorem, I hereby promise, on behalf of myself and
on behalf of my heirs after me, that such an increase shall be levied on the subjects
of the aforesaid English Government only after the consent of the precious
Imperial English Government has been duly asked for and obtained to such
increase.
Eleventhly.—And further, I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on
behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs after me, promise that the rate levied
on goods imported or exported by the subjects of the aforesaid English Government
to or from Koweit territories shall not exceed the rate levied on goods imported or
exported by my subjects—I mean the people of Koweit—to or from Koweit
territories.
! Twelfthly.—It is further clearly understood that I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah,
Ruler of Koweit, have accepted this rent especially from the precious Imperial =
English Government, and that, as for others than it, I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah,
would not accept from among all the Powers, though they should give me more
than this rent, I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, would not allow them to possess l
authority in my dominions, and, as for the precious Imperial English Government, ■
I am grateful to them, and their generosity is upon me; and I will not consent that :
a Power, other than them, shall interfere, though they give me more than this rent, i '
and I hope for the permanence of the care of the precious Imperial English
Government and its kindess on me and on my heirs after me, and the precious
Imperial English Government has honoured Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent
of the Imperial English Government in Koweit, with the special permission that he
may assure me, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf of the
precious Imperial English Government, that the aforesaid English Government
does not wish to interfere in the affairs of Koweit except for the profit of the
people of Koweit and the increase of trade and knowledge and friendship between
the English Government and the people of Koweit, and, as regards me, Sheikh
Mobarak-us-Subah, and my heirs after me, the desire of the precious Imperial
English Government is that the friendship between the precious Imperial English
Government and the Sheikh of Koweit may be perpetual.
And, finally, I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, at the express wish of the precious
Imperial English Government hereby promise that this Agreement shall be kept
absolutely secret, until such time as the precious Imperial English Government
gives permission for its disclosure. And I, Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of
Koweit, on behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs after me, have accepted
each and all of the terms set forth in this Agreement, and therefore I have set my
seal this 8th day of Ramthan, 1325 H., corresponding to this 15th day of October,
1907, a.d., and to what I say God is the best witness and protector.
(Seal of Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah.)
(Seal of Sheikh Jabir.)

(ii)
(Paragraphs 5 and 59)

Agreement Signed by the Political Agent
This Agreement is from me, Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent of the precious
Imperial English Government in Koweit, on behalf of the precious Imperial English
Government, to Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit. on behalf of
himself and his heirs after him. The reason of writing this paper is that 1,
MajorS. G. Knox, Political Agent of the precious Imperial English Government,
on behalf of the precious Imperial English Government, have, subject to the
important provision contained in paragraph 3 below, taken on lease in perpetuity
from Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf of himself and his
hen's, the land of which the boundaries are detailed below and south of Bunder
Shweikh: —
Firstly. The boundary of the land on the north-west shall be 7,500 cubits in
length in a straight line, and situated in it the coal-house which Sheikh Mobarak-
us-Subah has constructed in these days in the aforesaid land, and the straight line
46639 2 K 2