Page 215 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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MIJSKAT. 173

27. As a compliance with this application would have reduced the
Government to an awkward dilemma with the Imaum of Muskat,
whose good will we had so lately engaged, as manifested in the treaty
recently concluded, we offered to contribute by our interference towards
the satisfactory accommodation of such differences as might exist
between the Pasha and the Oman Chief.
28. The Pasha of Bagdad having requested the intercession of the
Resident at Bussora with the Imaum and the
A. D. 1793.
Shaikh of Ras-ool-Khyma to desist from their hos­
tile intentions, Mr. Manesty complied with the request : the result led to
a negotiation between the Mussaleem and the commandant of the
Muskat annual coffee fleet, then lying at Bushire, and the usual friendly
intercourse between the Pasha and the Imaum was restored.
29. The Imaum in the course of the following year, however, >'•
proceeded, in compliance with the application
A. D. 1799.
of the Beglerbeg of Fars, with four ships, and
sixty Buggalows and armed gallivats, to attack the Uttoobees, and I
reduce Bahrein. The Uttoobees had only three ships, which were on a
trading voyage in the Indian seas, which were all taken by the Imaum ■
on their return.
30. The Utloobees wrote on this occasion to Shaikh Nassir of
Bushire, stating that the island of Bahrein was originally under the
Turkish Government, the Kings of the Soil race having for some time
brought it under control, but that it was seventy years since they had
been in possession of it; that they were now desirous of becoming
subject to the King of Persia, to whom they would pay tribute. Shaikh
Nassir availed himself of this invitation, and privately proceeded to
Bahrein, and received the tribute for 1798.
31. The Imaum, on hearing of the intelligence, expressed his dis­
pleasure at the Shaikh’s conduct. He seized the opportunity of Shaikh
Nassir’s absence from Bushire to spread a report in Karrack that he
had fled from the island, and Shaikh Ghanum, Shaikh Nassir’s cousin,
had been appointed Governor, recommending them to send all the
Bushire people back from Karrack, as Shaikh Ghanum would consider
them as rebels and confine their women, and to entrust the charge of
the fort to him. The Karrackees, in consequence, gave up the fort to
the Imaum, who immediately wrote to the Beglerbeg of Fars, that as
there were very few people at Karrack, he had taken possession of it, to
prevent the Uttoobees occupying it, and offered to give five years’ revenue
in advance if the island were given up to him. The result of this applica­
tion is not known, but Syud Sultan, having amicably adjusted matters
with the Uttoobces and the Shaikh of Bushire, returned to Muskat, an
event which restored tranquillity to the Gulf.