Page 253 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

MUSK AT. 211

With the view of better carrying out the policy of the British Govern­
ment towards the Egyptians, and to unite as far as possible the power
and resources of the various chieftains, the Resident now applied his
mediation and influence to bring about a reconciliation between the
Imaum and his kinsman, Ilumood bin Azan; and the parties having
been brought together, a treaty of peace was, after much and violent
discussion on the part of the latter, drawn out and signed. The
emissaries of the Egyptian Agent were received by the Imaum appa­
rently in the same manner as their predecessors, and the contents of their
letters immediately communicated to the British authorities, except on
the last occasion, when, no objection being offered by the Government
in reply to his communication, he sent return presents to some value to
Korshid Pasha, and, in a private interview with his Agent, is said to
have made two verbal requests,—the first that the Egyptian com­
mander should demand the surrender of Damaum from the Bahrein
Chief; the second, that he should invite Shaikh Esai bin Tarif and his
followers to settle at Katecf.
A British Resident was in April 1840 appointed to Muskat, to
assume charge (under the general superintend­
a. d. 1840.
ence of the Resident in the Persian Gulf) of
the conduct of the political relations in the province of Oman, and
along such portions of the coast as could be more conveniently con­
trolled from Muskat than from Karrack. This officer was subsequently
created a Consul by the Home Government, and directed to establish
his Consulate at Zanzibar, where the Imaum henceforth principally-
resided.
At the time the blockade of the ports held by the Egyptians was
contemplated (May 1840), His Highness, on being called upon, did not
hesitate to assure the Government that the whole, or any part of his
fleet was at their service whenever required.
His Highness the Imaum, after visiting his possessions in the
Persian Gulf,—Kishm, Bunder Abbas, &c.,—accompanied by Syud
Humood bin Azan, the Sohar Chief, with a view, as stated by them­
selves, to prove that the sincere friendship, consequent upon the
reconciliation which had been effected between them through the
mediation of the Resident, had not been interrupted, proceeded to his
African possessions at Zanzibar.
Humood proceeded on a visit to Bombay, where he was received by
the Government with all suitable respect and
A. D. 1841.
attention, and on his return (in 1841) afforded
proof of his sincerity in the lately established friendship with his
relative, by the part he took in a case of rebellion which shortly
occurred.

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