Page 344 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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JOASMEES.
11. Tn 1797 the first capture was
made by the Joasmees of a British
vessel.
A. 1). 1/97. 1 lie Bassein Stioiv, under British co-
lours, and charged with public despatches, was
taken on the 18th of May, offRamse, by a fleet of Dows belonging to
Ras-ool-Khyma : she was, however, released by the Shaikh two days after.
12. In October following, the Viper cruiser was attacked by the
Joasmees, whilst at anchor in Bushirc Roads.
a. n. 1/97-98.
The Joasmee Dows had arrived about six days
before the Viper, under the command of Shaikh Saleh, Chief of the
Beni Joasmec Arabs, and nephew to the Joasmee Shaikh, who were
at war with the Imaum of Muskat. Their object was to intercept
the Sooree Arabs, who were at Bussora. On the day the Viper arrived,
Shaikh Saleh had an interview with the Resident at Bushirc, when, after
the strongest professions of friendship, he stated what his views were,
and begged that we would not protect the Sooree Dows, nor ship any
British properly on board ; but if we did, he promised that it should be
held sacred. After these professions, Shaikh Saleh requested a supply
of balls and powder from the Viper, which having been furnished, he
treacherously attacked the cruiser, but was beaten off.
13. The Resident at Bussora remonstrated against both these acts :
they were met on the part of Shaikh Suggur by professions of regard for
the English, contending, in respect to the attack of the Viper, that the
cruiser had fired first on the Dows. He stated that Shaikh Saleh left
Ras-ool-Khyma, separated himself from the tribe, had proceeded to the
Persian shore, and there established himself among the Beni Khalid
Arabs, marrying a woman of that tribe, which was one of a villanous
nature and character; that since the commencement of hostilities
between the Joasmees and people of Oman, Shaikh Saleh had acted
independently of Ras-ool-Khyma, committing depredations according to
his inclination ; that the Joasmees had no disputes with the English,
and considered the people of Oman alone as their enemies.
14. These disputes arose in consequence of the unsettled state of
the Muskat Government on the death of Syud Ahmed, and the usurpa­
tions of Syud Sultan. He had involved himself in serious disputes
with the Arabs of the Gulf, which brought on a war with many of
them, who had united against him ; and the Bombay Government
conceived that those acts of aggression experienced by vesse s
had been from Arabs in the interest of the deposed Prince of Oman.
15. At the close of the year 1798, the Imaum of Muskat was
threatening Bussora, on account of some ancient claims e P0®*?
against the Pasha of Bagdad. In order to enable him the more effectu-
ally to execute his hostile intentions, Syud Saeed negotiated a peace