Page 360 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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JOASMEES.

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of the article in the treaty mediated by him between Shaikh Sultan bin
Suggur and Shaikh Tahnoon, relative to the demolition of the towers
at Brymee. Accordingly, having obtained full authority from Shaikh
Sultan for their destruction, he determined to send Goolab, the British
Agent at Muskat, along with His Highness the Imaum’s troops, to sec the
above stipulation executed. Before, however, the result of his mission
could be known, Shaikh Sultan violated the truce, by suddenly attacking
Derah. Reinforcements were immediately sent by Tahnoon to the
relief of that place, but being intercepted by the Joasmee Chief, they
were compelled to retreat, wilh the loss of a hundred and fifty men.
This proceeding of course put an end to any further attempt at media­
tion on the part of the British authority, who, however, considered it
necessary to take every precaution to prevent the war from degenerating
into indiscriminate plunder; and for this purpose he directed two vessels
of war to be kept constantly cruising on the pearl banks. On the return
of Goolab Anundas from the mission mentioned above, he represented
that all Sultan bin Suggur’s representations relative to the obstacles
thrown in the way of the demolition of the towers of Brymee by the
Imaum’s Agent were totally false, and that the delay which had taken
place had been produced solely by his own intrigues.
The irregularities which were apprehended as likely to arise from the
naval warfare between the two most powerful Arab Chiefs of the Gulf
made their appearance shortly after the commencement of hostilities.
A boat from Bahrein was attacked by some Shargah cruising vessels
near the island of Anjar, without any provocation, and dollars to a
considerable amount forcibly carried off, besides three or four of the
crew being put to death. In consequence of this piracy, it was deemed
necessary by the British authorities to adopt active measures, in order
to check the piratical disposition thus manifesting itself, as well as
to give confidence to the neutral tribes, who had become greatly
alarmed at the lawless spirit which had appeared. Accordingly,
instructions were issued, in August 1825, to the Commodore of the
Marine, to proceed over to Shargah, and demand full satisfaction for the
loss of both life and property from Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur, and in
the event of this not being acceded to, to remove the British Agent from
Shargah, and capture all vessels belonging to that place. This decisive
proceeding was attended by the most favourable results : the Joasmee
!
Chief, terrified at the firm line of conduct adopted by the Bntis
authority, lost no time in affording every redress to the Chief of
Bahreinf who, in a letter to the Resident, expressed himself entirely
satisfied with the arrangement made. The successful termination