Page 18 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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(ii) Early History of Kaab Arabs.*
3. The earliest record wo have got of Arabist an AITairs is a despatch* of
tho Agent in Council of Jiasrah to the
• Set pigs 47 of tho Tirkiih Arabia rrleii
Court of Directors, dated tho 9th April
1767, referring to tlio Kaabs, which is a
very interesting document god deserves to bo quoted hero :—
* Wo forward this address to Your Honors by tho way of AIoppo to givo cover to a
packet received the 81st ultimo from tho Presidency by tho Eagle, and at tho sanio time to
cnclos.e a duplicate letter from this factory bearing (lato tho 23rd of the hist month. In con*
sapience of tho orders r^coivcd from tho Presidency by tbo Eagle, we now transmit Your
Honors the best nccounts wo can collect as to the rise of the troubles with the Sheikh Shack
Suliman. Tho Chaub is originally a subject of tho Turks, and ha* for many years possessed
a considerable territory within their dominions bordering upon tho Porsinn Empire, for which
he ought, aod did for somo yenra, annually to pay 4 largo sum of money into tho Treasury
of this Pachaship. A few years after the death of Nadir Shah, and in the troubles that
followed it, ho also got possession of a territory in the Persian dominions ; by this means bo
became a subject of both powers. The territory of Gaban and its districts is the name of
that ho possesses on the Turkish, and Durack, that in the Persian by being in possession of
such large territories, and not paying the usual tribute to either power. Owing to tlio
general decline of the Turks in these parts, and the troubles that then reigned throughout the
Persian Empire, he grow in a manner independent of either, and sorn became rich by possess­
ing the whole reyenuo. Judging, however, that he should in time be called on by both
powers for au account of tho arrears due to them, lie foresaw that a Marino force would be his
greatest security, and accordingly by degrees raised it. to tbo strength it is at present.
Demands have been .constantly mado on him both by Turks and Persians for thr so arrears,
and he as constantly has eluded the payment of them. This disobedience and several petty
robberies his peoplo wore doily committing, both by sea and land, at length brought tho
arms of the Turks upon him. Soliman Pacha in the year 1761 ordered his Mussalim of this
place out against them, who with a numerous army marched to Gabon from whence the
Chaub fled to hie fort at Durack, which is so situated as to render the coming at it a work
of great time and trouble. By this ho gained bis ends, and by means of presents at
Baghdad bought his peace with tho Pacha when his fort was near falling into the hands of
Ali Aga, then General of tho Turkish Army. On the commencement of this war with him
in the year 1761 the Government requested of Alexander Douglas, Esquire, and Mr. Stewart,
thp assistance of the Swallow, then here, which was accordingly judged necessary to he com­
plied with ; but the Turkish forces withdrawing the Swallow returned hither. In tho latter
end of the year 1763 Ali Paoha came down himself with a considerable army against him,
but kno« ing they were not equal to the attempt 1 y sea, as hit* Marine force was considerably
increased since the last war, he requested William Andrew Prince, Esquire, then Agent, to
assist him with two vessels of Your Honors* then here, the Tartar and Swallow, which it was
judged necetsary should be complied with, and was accordingly done. They had several
encounters with the gallivats of the Chaub, but peace being again established, our vessels
relumed hither. In the year 1765 Cun in Caun came against him, on which the Chaub fled
with his gallivats to sea, and the Caun destroyed his fort at Durack; yet he was not able to
overcome him as ho bad no Marine force, he therefore contented himself with what he had
done and retired from thence. The Caun had in this war requested the asristance of the
Turkish galleys and forces that he might utterly destroy him, but the dilatoriness of this
Government so chagrined the .Caun, that after (waiting a short time he retired in disgust. A
very short .time tfi$rthe .C$nn was gone forces came from Baghdad, with oiders to tho
Mussalim to go out against him. This he accordingly did with his forces and the Captain of
the Pacha's galleys, but judging their own Marino force .uot equal ito the Chaub's the Pacha
by letter yyd the Mvssalun here applied to Mr. Wrench, t,hcir Agent, for the assistance of au
English vessel (the only one then here) called tho bunny Snow, Captaiu Parkinson. And
Csptaia Parkinson, in consequence of some stipulation with this Government made in his
favour bv Mr. Wrench, was prevailed on to go on this service ; ho accordingly went down tlio
river and joined the Turkish galleys which were lying on this side the river with the camp of
the Mussalim, .while ithe,Chub's foyqes .and pallivats were pppopite to them, and a few shot
weie eoine times exchanged. YourHomrs’ sloop was also employed on this service for the
assistance of tho Government, but nothing material happened on enher +ide, and a seeming
accommodation soon took place : the Mussalim jeturned to town, aud the Chaub retired.
This was about the end of May 1765. On the 10th and 17th July the Chaub took tho
“ Sally " and “ .Port M-ilham.*’ Yogr Honors’ affairs .ynde.r tbo direction of this Agency ha\e
mei with little or no alteration the date of .our last respects. Notwithstanding i he en­
deavours of Agasy Caun, the Persian Ambassador, with the <.Chaub Sheikh St liman to
reconcile the disputes in which this country has lately been involved, the Chaub si ill continues
the 6arae evasive methods in hopes to amuse us for another Ecasou, concluding it tho only
means be has of escaping. Agasy Caun has had. a conference with him, and, a6 the Caun
informs us, received .ratl\er insist tjian anything satisfactory, either with respoot to tlio I urks
or us : we have been too lung amused, and wo are afraid Your Honors will think so. With the
hopes of bringing this Cbaub to proper terms, we would .willingly ombrace pacitic measures ;
but consistent with your credit, they are not in our power, your iutero&t is our only 13
• For in imertkting liUtory of the K»*b tribe* ■nd MuLaimuerab »ee Sir II. Jluwliu#ou'< mcwuranduiu printed
M Apptodlx to tbil 1 r«rcu.