Page 148 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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BAHREIN.
and Ghoonchas arc engaged in the Indian trade. The boats employed
in the pearl fishery may be reckoned at about eight hundred. *
The climate of the island is bad, and the inhabitants suffer ..
more
than those of other places when any contagious disease appears in
the
Gulf. The ravages of the cholera when it breaks out arc very much
greater there than in any other towns on the Arabian or Persian Coasts.
The Gulf fever is also prevalent at certain seasons, and strapgcrs
sleeping on shore are liable to suffer from its deadly effects. Upon the
whole, with the exception of Muskat, Ifishm, and Bassadorc, Bahrein
may be considered the most unhealthy place in this quarter of the
globe.
The power of the Bahrein Chief has of late years been much weak­
ened, by the contumacious conduct of his sons, and the divisions which
have arisen among his other relations. Some of them, particularly the
family of his nephew, Khaleefa, arc supposed to be friendlily disposed
towards the Imaum. The secession of Esai bin Tarif, with 400
followers, has also been productive of injurious consequences to Shaikh
Abdoolla, the more so as that person, who is a man of great courage and
energy, has now closely connected himself with the Government of
Muskat, and, through its influence, will probably aid materially in
promoting the views of Korshid Pasha in Bahrein.
Observations.—Such was the description, and detail of resources, &c.
of the island of Bahrein, as given by Captain Hennell in 1839. Since
that period, owing to the increased dissensions, and subsequent hostili­
ties between the members and relatives of the ruling family, the popula­
f tion, prosperity, and commerce of the island have gradually declined.
Numbers of the principal and most wealthy inhabitants, to avoid the
efFects of increased anarchy and confusion, fled, upon the commence-
ment of actual hostilities, to Koweit on the Arabian, and Lingah and
other places on the Persian Coast, where they have since temporarily
located themselves, in order to watch the course of events, and return
with the first signs of peace and established government, and conse-
quent security to life and property. Although the de facto ruler,
Mahomed bin Khaleefa, has met with no decided opposition to his
authority since his ejection of the old chief, his grand uncle, from the
island, in April 1843, through the assistance of the latter’s aggrieved
and justly disaffected subjects, Esai bin Tarif and Bushire bin Ramah,
yet Abdoolla bin Ahmed, refusing all compromise or understanding
and
which does not stipulate his re-establishment in his former position
authority, continues to reside at Nabend, on the Persian Coast, having
at his disposal four or five moderate sized vessels ; and his tntng
and overtures, having for their object to engage in his avo
and countenance of the Wahabcc ruler, Ameer Ty -
assistance