Page 354 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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JOASMEES..

s -* M"k“ *■“- *«

61. A small squadron of Joasmee boats landed
. in the month of
October in Busheab, and burnt and plundered
A. D. 1817-
the villages at the western part of the island,
carr ying ofl all the cattle, and killing great numbers of the inhabitants.
62. At the close of the
year we find them in the harbour of Aseeloo,
whichthey had entered, and taken five large laden JBuggalows, valued at
three lakhs of rupees, and had murdered their crews. The inhabitants
of Bushire were thrown into the greatest consternation from the
Joasmees contemplating an attack on that place.
a. d. 1818.
The Governor of Bushire with great difficulty
restrained the inhabitants from leaving it, and retiring further into the
interior.
63. The Joasmee fleet remained twelve days at Aseeloo, and thence
proceeded to Congoon, but finding the place prepared to receive them,
they weighed, and, standing to the northward, anchored ofTDaire, where
they landed and destroyed a number of date trees. They were repulsed,
however, in an action with the inhabitants, and obliged to take to their
boats.
64. Apprehending an attack by the Turkish troops, the Joasmee
Chief sent a number of people from Ras-ool-
a. d. 1819.
Khyma to build a fort at Bassadore, on the west
end of the island of Kishm, which they intended to garrison, as a place
of security for their property, should they not succeed in repelling the
Turkish troops. Bassadore has a harbour well secured for vessels, and
cannot be approached but by boats of light draught. It \yas formerly
in possession of the Portuguese, who built several large reservoirs for
water, and a large town with fortifications all round, now nearly
destroyed, and a fine pier jutting into the sea, which, with the reservoirs,
are in very good repair. This port, if possessed by the Joasmees, would
from its situation be a source of greater annoyance to the trade going
up and down the Gulf than Ras-ool-Khyma has proved.
A letter has lately been received from Hussein bin Rahmah, referring
to a treaty of peace concluded between “ his Imaum” and us, and
professing a desire of continuing on terms of friendship with the
English Government; which of course has been positively declined ; and
by the last accounts from the Gulf it would appear that the Imaum o
Muskat was preparing an expedition against Ras-ool-Khyma, in con
junction with Shaikh Sultan and the Beniyas Tribe of Arabs.