Page 137 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 127

Dated Bfthrciu, tho 10th January 1899.
From—S. M. Zwembh, Esq., American Missionary,
To—Tho Political llcsidont in tho Persian Gulf.
It is tho dosiro and intention of our mission to socuvo in Bahrein a fit
dwclling-placo for tho uso of tho missionaries and thoir families' that may bo
stutioned hero. Tho ront-contract for tho small and inconvoniont houso wo
now occupy expires in February 1900.
Although aovoral of tho pooplo on tho island aro willing to sell us a small
picco of laud to build on, and ono man has offered to build for us, yet all are
uuwilling to do so except by permission of Sheikh Isa, tho rulor of Bahrein.
Tho reason givon is that I belong to a foreign nation,/and that even tho
Shoikh cannot dispose of laud or graut mo permission to build without
your consent as Her Majesty’s llcsidont for tho Persian Gulf. Whon I passed
through London, Maior-Gcnorai Haig, R.E.. one of tho honorary tr„
our mission, took mo to
Amortcan had regarding tho purchase of property on tho islands of ahrein.
Wo wore told that thoro would bo no difficulty, and that thoro was no objection
to our securing a pieoo of land on loaso or by purchase for mission purposes,
provided the Consul-General and Resident of tho Gulf would use his good offices
in our behalf with tho Nativo Chief of tho islauds. I therefore write to ask
your kind assistanco in securing permission for the Arabian Mission to buy or lease
a small piece of land for a mission dwclling-houso and freo dispensary outsido
the village of Mcnameb, preferably east of tho villago on the open plniu. On
our part wo naturally ’guarantee that tho building to be erected shall not bo
used for any other than ordinary mission purposos, and that neither grouud nor
building shall bo sold to tho subject of any other nationality or Goverumout
without tho kuowlcdgo and permission of Her Majesty’s Representative at
Bushiro or Bahrein. It may iuterost you to know that, on the complotiou of I |
the mission,residence, our uowly-arrivod missionary physician, a fully qualified 1
doctor, will bo stationed at Bahrein.
In conclusion may I ask that your reply to'this lettor bo addressed to mo
at Basrah, where I go to attend the annual meeting of our mission.

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