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22 Records of Bahrain
: X, Esa bin Ali Al-IChalifah, do doclaro that I have truly oloctod my son
Hanlod bin Esa, and have appointed him heir-apparont (to succeed) aftor mo
over tho subjects, in recognition of bis fitness and rectitude, and in consequence
I of tho request (mado) to mo frequently by the subjects in tho mattor.
I thcroforo considered it (tho appointmont of a successor) to bo a prudent
measure ns freeing mo of an obligation and tending to common wolfaro.
This is ouo of tho important acts agreeable to virtue.
ITo (my son) shall fear God both privately and publicly ; shall riso (to do-
fond) tho rights of God and of llis servants ; shall net with deliberation in
matters of importance; shall inflict punishmont (upon offenders) ; and obtain
redress for tho oppressed against tho oppressor.
And lot not tho roproach of accusers deter him from performing his duty
towards God ; and let him not consider himself ablo to dispeuso with deli
beration.
And bo shall accept advice ; shall act justly and oquitably towards all;
and shall follow tho truth wherever it shall rovolvo, though it may go against
himself and bis progony.
And let him mote out retribution and reward in conformity with God’s
commands. '
I pray to the munifioient God and fho bowl compassionate that Ho may
protect, aid and guido him with his good governance ; that Ho may oauso him
to prosper; mny help and assist him with llis favours and mumlloouoo ; and
that Ho may avert from him tho injurios from his oncmies, ns II o is powerful
in all Elo wills, aud is fit to hear prayers. Ho is strong and powerful ; and
there is no power or strength but in God the High aud Great.
And Ho is my sufficiency and good protector. Aud God is witness and
guarantee to what has been written.
1 October 1897.
Dated Jamadi-ul Awal 1314i.
Signed and scalod by Esa. bin Ali Al-Khalifau,
with his owu hand.
(•14 signatures and soals of tho principal men of tho Al-Kbalifah iribo
and others follow.)
: Memorandum on a requost mado by tho Sheikh of Bahrein for tho recogni
tion of his eldest son as his successor by tho Government of India.
I think, beforo wo report to Govornmont and recommend recognition,
that wo ought to get opinions from thoso in a position to oiler advice.
In 1890, Mr. Lucas, Extra Assistant Resident, gavo an opinion against a
\ recognition, and Colonel Ross, the then Resident, who bad innnonso cxpcricne.o
of Arabs and tho politics of tho Persian Gulf generally, accoptcd tho view that
a previous recognition would croato jealousies, &c. If we agree to the Sheikh’s
roquest, it will of course bind us to maintain his son in tho Sheikhship, and
I am not suro that it would bo wiso for us to undertako to do this. 1 would
like to know what is the custom and practico among Arab tvibos in this matter.
Is tho eldest son gonorally regarded as tho heir to tho Sheikhship, or is it
left au open matter till a Sheikh dios ? What would probably he tho view
taken of a recognition by us of Sheikh Hamod by tho pcoplo of Bahrein ami
the surrounding tribos ? That is, will it strengthen our influence without in
creasing to any undue oxtent our responsibilities ? Would such a recognition
onsuro a pcacoful succession and theroby bouofit British trade ?
(Sd.) M. J. MEADE,
Political Resident in Che Persian Gulf.
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