Page 255 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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shall march as far as possible corresponding with the sea-line, but, apart from these
two conditions, it shall be lawful to me, or to any other person duly authorised
on behalf of the precious Imperial English Government, to draw this direct
north-western boundary at our choice and pleasure, and such boundary shall be
accepted by Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf of himself and
on behalf of his heirs after him. And, secondly, the eastern side and the western
side shall be each 600 cubits long, and the south side shall be 7,500 cubits long,
and the whole land shall be rectangular; and of this land there shall be to
Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, and to his heirs after him, of it a
plot, on the north-west side of which shall be the coal-house aforesaid, the four
sides of which plot shall be each 300 cubits long, the whole 1,200 cubits long,
apart from the dimensions of the coal-house and opposite this plots of ground to
the north-west shall belong to Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah and to his heirs after him.
Secondly.—The rent of the land aforesaid shall be counted at 4 rupees per
cubit yearly, which shall flow from the day that this paper, duly agreed, signed,
and sealed, shall pass between the hands of the two parties, and the rent shall
be paid yearly in advance.
Thirdly.—In explanation of the preceding paragraph, the aforesaid lands are
embraced by one line, the length of which is 16,200 cubits. Exclusive of the
dimensions of the plot of ground of 1,200 cubits, reserved by this Agreement to
Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, and to his heirs after him, the
remainder is 15,000 cubits, and the rent of the land, according to this line, amounts
to 60,000 rupees, which I, Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent of the precious
Imperial English Government in Koweit, on behalf of the precious Imperial English
Government, promise shall be paid yearly in advance to Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah,
Ruler of Koweit, and to his heirs after him, as long as the precious Imperial
Government desires the aforesaid lands. But it is clearly understood and
agreed upon between me, Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent of the precious
Imperial English Government in Koweit, on behalf of the precious Imperial English
Government, and Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf of
himself and on behalf of his heirs after him, that should the precious Imperial
English Government no longer desire to lease the lands aforesaid, they have
the right to inform Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, or his heirs after him, of their
decision at any time they wish, and that, after such intimation, the rent ceases,
and the land will return to Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, or to
his heirs after him, but if the precious Imperial English Government should have
any desire for land other than these lands of Shweikh, such as the lands enumerated
in the sixth paragraph below, it will be by way of rent by consent with
Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, or his heirs after him.
Fourthly.—There is included in the aforesaid rent, without other rent or
demand of any kind, the right to all land above ground or under sea, between
the two sides, the east and the west, produced in the north-west direction to
3 fathoms of sea-water at the time of the lowest tide opposite to the north-west
boundary, and it is lawful for the precious Imperial English Government to build
and construct between the aforesaid limits any building of any kind, coal-sheds,
harbour works, &c.
And also it is lawful for the aforesaid English Government to put down
buoys, and do all works needful for the ease of the ships from the open sea to
the Bunder Shweikh such as, inter alia, the construction of lighthouses and beacon
in Koweit territory, as may at any time be found to be necessary.
And also it is lawful for the aforesaid English Government that they should
lease the lands in part or in whole for a fixed term of years or in perpetuity to
English subjects or to the subjects of British India—I mean the people of India
or to the subjects of Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit—I mean the
people of Koweit—at their perfect will and desire.
Fifthly.—And further, in consideration of the rent detailed, Sheikh Mobarak-
us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf of himself and on behalf of his heirs
after him, confirms his former promise that neither he nor his heirs after him
will grant, sell, or lease to a foreign Government, and in this is included the
Ottoman Government, or to the subjects of any foreign Government, any of
his or their land within Koweit boundaries or around it without the permission
of the precious Imperial English Government.
Sixthly—And also Sheikh Mobarak-us-Subah, Ruler of Koweit, on behalf
behalf of his heirs after him, is bound in this paper that he
of himself and on