Page 30 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

20 Records of Bahrain

Enclosure No. 1.
No. m\ da tod Buvhiro, 5lli Doccmbor 1807.
F,om-L«RUTKKANT.CoLONK(. M. J. Meade, Political Uosident in tho Persian Gulf,
To—Tbo Secretary to the Government ot India, Foreign Department.
I havo tho honour to report, for tho information of tho Government of
India, that Sheikh Ilamcd, tho oldest sou of Sheikh Esa of Bahrein, came
to Bushiro on a visit on the 10th ultimo.
2. I was awnro that tho object of his visit was that I should mako tho
acquaintance of tho young man, and to interest myself m representing tho
wish of Sheikh Esa, that his son should bo rocogniscd as lus successor.
As it did not, however, appear to mo that this ought to stand in tho way
of my mooting him, I informed tho Shoikh, through my First Assistant, that 1
would bo glad to seo liis son.
3. I bad tlivco interviews with Sheikh Ilamcd, who shewed mo a docu­
ment from his father, making him his heir, and ho said that lie wished his
recognition by tho British Government, as this would ensure his succession on
the death of tho prosent Sheikh, and prevent tho otherwise inevitable strugglo
for tho Chiofship, which would lake place, and which would certainly injure
tho trado and prosperity of tho place.
4?. I told Shoikh Earned that I could givo no definite reply to his proposal,
which would hnvo to bo submitted to tho Government of India, and that in
any enso it would ho necessary, in tho first place, for his father to address me,
and stato what his wishes are. I added that it had not hithorto, as far as I
was aware, boon tho practico for the British Government to acknowledge tho
succession of any particular claimant during tho lifetime of a Sheikh of
Bahrein, and that it has been loft to tbo mombers of tho tribes to elect their
own ruler. I was, however, awaro of the advantages which an undisputed
succession would bring to tho island, and I would ho glad to forward tho
Sheikh’s proposals for tho consideration of Government, if I found that the
I'casr s ho advanced wero sufficiently strong to justify my doing so. Sheikh
liar A replied that ho quite understood tho position, and would mention
what I had said to his father. I will submit a furthor full report when I
hoar from Sheikh Esa.
G. As E. M. S. tho Sphinx was proceeding to Bombay at the time Shoikh
Earned was starting to return to Bahrein, I arranged with tho Commandor
to givo him a passage. Shoikh Esa was anxious that this should ho done, and
I considered it desirable to meet his wishes, as I had tho opportunity.

Enclosure No. 2.
No. 37—S. A., dated Shiraz, the 13th Juno 1808.
From—Lieutenant-Colonel M. J. Meade, Political Uosident in tho Poraian Gulf,
To—The Socretary to the Government of India, Foroigu Department.
In continuation of my letter No. 121, dated Gth Dccombor 1897, I hnvo
now tho honour to report, for the information of tho Govornment of India, tlmt
when I visited Bahrein in February last, tho Sheikh spoke to mo about tbo
recognition of bis son Shoikh Earned as his successor in the Sheikhship.
2. I informed tho Sheikh that I would report his wish to Government, and
desired him to address mo in writing on tho subject, llo accordingly wroto on
tho 7th Fobruary enclosing a copy of his will, winch had beon attested by did.
of tbo leading mon of Bahreiu. Translations of both documouts arc attached.
3. On receipt of the Sheikh’s request, I made a envoful enquiry into tho
question, and have tho honour to forward copies of a memorandum 1 drow up,
and of tho roplics to it, which I havo recently received from tho officers
addrossod.
4. A perusal of tho viows expressed in these reports, confirms mo in my
original opinion that tho timo has come to tako a more docidcd position in
Bahrein than wo havo hitherto done, and that tho treaty eugngoinonts entered
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