Page 26 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PART I—CHAPTER V.
10
The measure may thus operate as an inducement to the Governments of Arabia to
establish similar discriminating duties or it may lead to the transfer of Arab Ships to the
ownership, nominal or real, of parties native or resident in the British Possessions and
entitled therefore by existing rules to sail their vessels under British Passes. His Lordship
in Council is not prepared to decide that the advantage that will thus be obtained by the
subjects of the State over Arab Foreigners is unreasonable or impolitic; the question, how­
ever, deserves full consideration with reference to the facilities afforded by existing rules
to the change of the flags under which vessels engaged in this trade have heretofore sailed.
Preparatory to the further consideration of this question His Lordship in Council directs
that a reference be made to the Government of Bombay with a view to obtain a communi­
cation of the sentiments of the Govcrnoi in Council upon the subject and in order that
similar rules may be at once adopted on both sides of India.
His Lordship in Council further desires to learn whether the trade with Arabia and
the footing on which vessels and merchandise should reciprocally be treated. has ever
been mode matter of negotiation between the Government of Bombay and any States or
Chiefs of Arabia.
Ordered that a copy of the above resolution be transferred to the Political Department
for communication to the Bombay Government from that Department, and that the Politi­
cal considerations connected may be brought forward in that Department.
(True Extract),
H. T. PRINSEP.
Secretary to Government.
The Bombay Government having been asked to report on the point raised
in the orders of the Government of India, they replied inviting attention to
article X of the Treaty of 1820 signed by the Trucial Chiefs. That article is
silent as to the rates of duties to he paid by vessels availing themselves of the
liberty of trade granted thereby, but the Governor in Council was of opinion
that any increase of duties beyond the amounts levied during the past 16
years would be deemed a grievance. It was also pointed out that the object
of the treaty with the Arabs under dale the 8th January 1820, was chiefly to put
an end to piracy and plunder and that its conditions were common to all the
tribes and persons who would adhere to them, equally with those who originally
subscribed to it.
The Resident in the Gulf, Major Hennell, was at the same asked to state
his opinion on the point in question. His reply No. 44, dated 15th May 1837,
is printed below
I have had the honor to receive your letter No. 567 in this Department under date
the 30th March 1837, transmitting copy' of
11 A iv 'TTSSTT1. S'K* a letter from the Secretary to the Government
f,om Arab Vessels frequenting the Port of Calcutta, of India with its enclosure, relative to the rates
of duties exacted from Arab Ships frequent­
ing the Port of Calcutta, and directing me to submit my opinion upon the measures con­
templated by the Government of India, with particular reference to Sir W. G. Heir’s
Treaty with the friendly Arabs dated the 8th January 1820, and to the long standing
connexion between His Highness the Imam of Muscat and the British Government.
2. Confining myself to the two points to which my attention has been specifically
directed by the Right Honourable the Governor
. "'"i ■" Council, I beg respectfully to submit the
Muscat. following remarks for the consideration 01 the
Government.
3. In the first place with reference to the Treaty concluded between Sir W. G. Heir,
• and tbe pacificated Arabs under date the 8th
siaiisS™® terv'a'
understood, pledges the Government of India
in any way to a permanent continuance of the rates of duties then levied upon Arab
bottoms in the Ports of India, or leads to the inference, that vessels belonging to the Friendly
Arabs are entitled to be placed upon a more favorable footing in this respect, than those of
any other foreign nation. It is true, that in an agreement concluded by Captain Bruce in 1816
. ...... ev -L . . with the Sheiks of Bahrein (a copy of which
utft for. conlinutnce of He w, upoo'which hi. |,0r,n.ed ?n encl«u,re \° ^ le“*r ‘° °
subjects vmted the British Pori* in India. dated the 31st July of the same year) the 4th
_ , . , „ , article states, that, “ the Bent’ Attaba Arabs; of
Bahrein shall continue to visit the British Ports in India on the terms they have hitherto