Page 246 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

204 MUSKAT.

killed, and the rest secured. On the receipt of this intelligence, the
inhabitants of Muskat were thrown into the greatest consternation :
the shops and markets were closed ; the Imaum’s daughter distri­
buted powder and shot to the guards of the fortresses and defences, and
immediately addressed letters to the Imaum, and the British authorities
at Bombay and in the Gulf, calling upon the latter for support and
assistance. Syud Saood in the mean time proceeded against Musnaah,
which was held by the mother of Mahomed bin Salim, and his offer to
liberate her son, provided she would surrender the fort into his hands,
having been rejected, invested the place.
It being then the policy of the British Government to preserve the
integrity of His Highness’ dominions, the Resident lost no time in
despatching his Assistant, with a respectable naval force, to check the
designs of His Highness’ enemies, as well as to afford advice and
support to the existing Government; and Sultan bin Suggur having by
letter communicated his wish to commence hostilities against the
Imaum’s possessions, and it being also known that Humood bin Azan
of Sohar, and Hillal bin Imaum, although not having apparently
interfered, were secretly rejoiced at what had taken place, letters were
addressed to those chiefs, as well as to the Shaikhs of Aboothabee,
Soweik, and Burka, intimating that the British Government had
determined to support their ally, and further informing the latter, that
the continued detention of his prisoners would lead to a collision with
the British Government. Before the naval force could reach Muskat,
Sultan bin Suggur had seized Khore Fukaun, Khulia, and Dubba,
ports on the Batinah Coast, belonging to the Imaum; and Humood bin
Azan, Chief of Sohar, with Shaikh Hillal,* had prepared to attack
Rastag, one of the most important inland places in the Iinaum’s territory.
The latter two had given assistance to the Burka Chief in liis attack
upon Musnaah ; but the Imaum’s daughter having succeeded in
throwing reinforcements into the place, the siege had been raised.
The prisoners had been released and permitted to return to Muskat, and
on the Assistant Resident’s arrival at Burka, Saood bin Ali disclaimed
all intention of rebelling against the Imaum, and protested that he had
adopted such strong measures with reference to his kinsmen solely
with a view to self-preservation, his life having been threatened by
Mahomed bin Salim. To provide against any further aggressions and
annoyances, a vessel of war w~as, at the request of the local authorities,
directed to remain at Muskat, until the arrival of His Highness

the Imaum, who was expected from Zanzibar in the course of a fort-
dissuaded from retaliatory measures
night, and these authorities were
their attention to the manage-
in the mean time, and advised to turn
* Chief of Soweik.

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