Page 109 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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BRITISH POLICY IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
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neutral ground, which, from their want of cargo, or their being manned
or armed in such a way, admitted no doubt of their objects not being
peaceful. Sultan bin Suggur having represented that he had some­
times occasion to send his war-boats round Cape Musseldom for
purposes connected with the protection of his territories on the coast
of Khor Fukaun,* he was informed that previous to his doing so he
must make known his wishes to, and obtain the sanction of, the Com­
modore at Bassadore, who was at the same time instructed that it was
desirable,! if possible, that the prescribed limits should be enforced
upon the Joasmee Chief, in common with others, especially from the
month of October to July, the period of the great commercial inter­
course between the Gulf and India.
In consideration of the late excesses of the Beniyas, it was judged
expedient to limit, for a period, the cruising of their armed boats to
within sight of their own coast; and this was officially intimated to
their chief.
The only chief absolutely requiring an establishment of war-vessels
is the Shaikh of Bahrein, whose independence, from his vicinity to the
Wahabee power, to which he has been long opposed, must in a great
measure hinge upon his superiority at sea; yet the cruising of his
armed boats could at the same time easily be confined to the limits of
the isolated part of the Gulf in which his principal territory is situated.
On the occasion, therefore, of some irregularities and piratical acts,
committed on the Persian Coast by the sons of the Bahrein Chief whilst
in rebellion against their father, this restrictive line was subsequently
made applicable to Huailah and Bahrein, by being extended from
Hawlool, ten miles north of Has Reccan, through the island of El
Kraan to Ras Zoor, on the main, a measure which was assented to by
the Uttoobee Chief in a letter dated the 26th March 1S36.
Although the entire limits thus laid down were sufficiently defined
for all the required objects, and the concurrence of the Arabian Chiefs in
the establishment of the restrictive line had been by implication afforded,
yet, with the exception of the letter from Abdoolla bin Ahmed at
Bahrein, no formal intimation of their consent in writing had been
obtained, It was therefore resolved by the Indian and Home Go­
vernments at the suggestion of the Resident, Captain Hennell, that

* Acquired by his taking advantage of the disturbed state of the Imaum’s affairs in 1832
when he was only prevented from making further encroachments upon His Highness*
dominions by the active interference of the British Government.
t Not only as guarding against the long-established predatory spirit of the Joasmee Tribe
upon the most exposed point of the Gulf, but as at least affording a negative protection to
our ancient ally the Imamu, against any further sudden act of aggression by
of Sultan bin Suggur. ° ^ sea on the part

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