Page 260 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

250 Records of Bahrain

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In this connection I would observe that Sheikh Ali appears to affect to
think that his offences - were fully atoned for by his departure on a threo weeks'
sporting excursion to Katar. I do not think that any show of leniency is at
all desirable in his ease, and recommend that when he has surrendered he should
now be compelled to reside at some quiet place in the interior of India for at
least £ years, where it may be hoped that he will be favourably affected by the
civilizing nature of our rule. 1
Translation of a letter, dated 34th Moharram rjBj (jrst March 1905), from Sheihk
Isa bin nii, Chief of Bahrein, to Captain Tridcaux, Assistant Political Agent,
Bahrein,
After compliments.—I beg to inform you that I received to*day two Icttora
from Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed, one to your address and the other to mine, both oj
which I send you herewith.
The perusal of them by you will suffice. I shall not reply to Sheikh Ali
until I hear your decision on his ease.
Translation of a petition, dated rjth Moharram rjaj (34th March /p?j), address
not given, from Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed, to Captain Prideaux, Assistant Political
Agent, Bahrein.
I beg to inform you that when I left Dahrein I was not in my proper senses.
My name has been deeply disgraced in the eyes of the tribes. I dia not know
that I was considered at fault or that my fault was so great as to necessitate
my expulsion from my country and the spoiling of my house and property.
The decision arrived at regarding me by yourself and my father Sheikh IsfL
on wa3 ^Uy submitted to by me and l behaved properly. 1
knew nothing until l was suddenly informed that l was to be arrested and
deported to another land. I was much alarmed at the news and fled away.
I now humbly solicit the Government through you for justice, for the
impartiality of which it is renowned all over the world. Let my condition be
taken into consideration, so that I be not exiled from my country and family.
1 will henceforth remain submissive to the Government. If there has been any
unknown fault of mine in the past I beg for the forgiveness of the Government
to the same. I now promise that so long as I live I shall abide by the will of
the Government in all matters. This is my petition. The decision is in your
hands.
Translation of a fetilion, dated 17th Moharram /jsj (March /90J), address not given,
from Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed to Sheikh Isa bin Ali, Chief of Bahrein.
I. iy our son, have been your loyal subject and I have committed no fault.
When l saw the paper containing the decision come to about me between your­
self and the Political Resident dated the CidZYmunZl, I left Bahrein on the
seventh day after the departure of Major Cox together with a 1 of my men and
remained away for 21 days. I obeyed the orders of yourself and the Political
Resident, which were to the effect that if no orders were received from the Gov­
ernment of India about me within ai days I was at liberty to return to Bahrein.
No orders came and I accordingly returned to Bahrein. I behaved properly, and
I did not know that I was considered at fault or that that fault was so great as
to necessitate my being sent away from my country, my house to be spoilt and
my moveable property to be confiscated and burnt. I knew nothing until I was
suddenly informed 1 hat 1 was to be arrested and deported to another land. I was
much alarmed at this nesvs and fled away.
I now beg that you will kindly move the Government of India to pardon
my fault which was hidden from me, and I have no doubt that they will forgive
me as they have done in the case of many others. I ain sure that they do not
wish to see me always exiled from my family and country, for they pardon
greater faults than mine. I hope you will kindly write to the Government for­
warding this letter and ask them to pardon me, and they doubtless will PV"011
me. Being in the position of a son to you, I write this petition to you.