Page 222 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

180 muskat.

been dismembered from Sohar, so as to reduce the defence of Ms
country to one point, the passage across the isthmus. e
GG. The Wahabcc Chief being absent on a pilgrimage to Mecca
the Imaum, in 1809, prepared an expedition on a large scale which
was to be joined by four thousand men from Bushire ; their avowed
object being to destroy Jillama, of IChor Ilassan. A powerful party of
Joasmees, adverse to the Wahabee influence, was to assist the arma-
ment, the true destination of which
was supposed to be against
Hussain bin Ali, the- Wahabcc vicegerent in Oman, under whose
control piracy was prosecuted.
67. The Uttoobee Arabs also joined in this expedition..
GS. It sailed under the personal command of Syud Saeed, on the
15th of April. The fleet having, however, dispersed in different direc­
tions, the situation, of the Imaum became very critical: he had left his
possessions liable to be attacked, without the power of defending tli cm.
He was importuned by the Wahabees to proceed toBussora and Grane:
the Joasmees were to co-operate in this expedition, but the Uttoobecs
had declined. Unable to resist, the Imaum declared that his fleet was.
ready. In some degree to assist the Imaum in this predicament, the
Comvallis frigate was stationed at the Quoins, which would prevent
the enemy attacking the Imaum, and enable him at the same time to
adopt the line of conduct he wished, by delaying to go to Grane till the
Uttoobees were ready to join him.
69. General Malcolm concurred in the opinion expressed by
Captain Seton on this occasion, that nothing but the early interference
of the British Government could prevent the por.t of Muskat being
altogether destroyed as a port of commerce, and its inhabitants and
shipping being added to the pirates;—considerations which led the
Supreme Government to equip an expedition for the protection of Muskat
against the Wahabees, in order that a well disposed ally might not be
converted into a dangerous enemy, and for the suppression of the
Joasmee pirates.
70. Sultan bin Suggur, the hereditary Chief of the Joasmees, had also
been rendered a cypher in his own country by the appointment of the
Wahabee officers to the charge of districts, and had, in consequence,
abandoned his territories, and sought the Imaum’s protectipn.
71. The Uttoobees at Zobara had also suffered so much from the
tyranny of the Wahabees that they had recently endeavoured to
conciliate the Government of Muskat, frequented the port, an P
duties as other States; whilst the Imaum, with a judicious P° j
showed a preference to them, in remitting such dutl®S ^ fusion
heavily on their trade. No obstacle, therefore, oppose nt 0j
of a solid agreement between the Uttoobces and the