Page 237 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

MUSKAT. 195

with his fleet off Kishm, for the purpose of intercepting the Shaikh
of Bushire on liis return from Mecca. This plan was attended with
entire success, as he fell in with the Shaikh on the 13th September,
and, after a short action, captured that personage, together with his
two vessels.
On the 25th October the British Resident had an interview with His
Highness, on which occasion he brought to His Highness’ notice the
contumacy of Shaikh Tahnoon, in persisting in his refusal to destroy the
fort of Derail,* and remove the Soodan Tribe, agreeably to the stipula­
tions of the treaty entered into by him with the Joasmee Shaikh.
In consequence of this representation, His Highness promised to send
his vessels of war to blockade the place by sea, while Sultan bin
Suggur, with the troops drawn from Shargah and Ras-ool-Khyma,
attacked it by land.
The Imaum’s claims upon the authorities of Bussora having been
brought to an amicable arrangement, the blockade of that place
was raised in November 1826, and His Highness’ fleet returned to
Muskat.
In the month of May 1827 Shaikh Abdool Russool was restored
to liberty by the Imaum, and, on his giving a
x. d. 1827.
bond for SO,000 German crowns, his two vessels
were likewise given up to him.
About this lime His Highness proceeded to Derah, and had that place
destroyed, agreeably to his promise to the Resident; but in order to heal
the wounded pride of Shaikh Tahnoon, he supplied that chief with
warlike stores of every description, and called upon the people of
Debayef to submit themselves to the authority of the Beniyas Chief.
There can be little doubt that His Highness’ intrigues on this occasion
fomented the causes of disagreement between Shaikh Sultan and his
rival Tahnoon.
In July 1827, one of the daughters of the Prince of Shiraz (a sister of
Reza Kolee Mirza) was betrothed to the Imaum, and shortly after,
proceeding to Bunder Abbas, was met there by his Highness, and
conveyed to Muskat.
His Highness having requested the opinion of the British Resident as
to the propriety or otherwise of his acceding to a request made by the
Chaub Shaikhs for assistance against Bussora, a reply, couched in
general terms, but pacific language, was returned, in consequence of
which His Highness declined interfering in their affairs.
• A small fort, between Shargah and Dehaye, erected by the Soodan Tribe, under Soliman
bin Nasser, a dependent of Shaikh Tahnoon.
t A small independent town, near Shargah, under the Heera family.