Page 373 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

JOASMEES. 331

exception of that portion referring to its value)} it was admitted as a
set-ofT against the cargoes of the Muttra and Mukran boats, and their
restitution Was foregone ; but with this modification entire compliance
was yielded, after some little delay and hesitation to the demand, by the
delivery of the boats, money, jewels, &.c. in lieu of the missing
cargo, the properly of the passengers, &c. As his hostilities against
the Chief of Sohar had been proclaimed and acknowledged} no notice
was taken of his proceedings in capturing the boats of that place,
nor* for the same reasons, of the seizures of Dubba and Khore Fukaun
by Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur, who now, anticipating with apprehension
the chances of reprisals on the part of the Imaum for the loss of those
towns} or a declaration of war at his instigation by the Boniyas Chief,
to whom he was known to have furnished military stores, despatched a
Vukeel to the Resident, to learn from him the sentiments and inten­
tions of the British Government in the event of such taking place; and
was, in reply, informed that the British Government had determined,
in case of exigency, to afford the Imaum every assistance in their power
to preserve his independence, but would not interfere in quarrels
involving a minor stake* which Ilis Highness might see fit to prosecute ;
and consequently that Shaikh Sultan, if unable to effect a reconciliation} :
and measures of hostility were pursued against him, would be at liberty
to use his own means of defending himself, provided the above reser­
vations With reference to those means and their ends were duly
attended to.
In the latter end of November a large fleet of Joasmee boats, contain­
ing from one thousand to fifteen hundred of the tribe, under the command
of Sultan bin Suggur in person} appeared at the head of the Gulf, with
a view to affording assistance to Shaikh Nassir, the hereditary Governor
of Bushire, Who* giving umbrage to the Persian authorities, had been
ejected from the town, and had taken to his boats, and commenced a
blockade of the port, according to a previous engagement with that
person, by which, in addition to certain other considerations, the
plunder of the place Was to be the reward of a successful attack.
Previous to their arrival, however} the blockade had been raised, and
it was evident, from late events, that Shaikh Nassir had no longer any
expectation of regaining his inheritance, but was now merely intent
upon inflicting injury upon the town and its inhabitants, which must
have involved the destruction of a large amount of British property.
Under these circumstances, and, moreover, the cause of humanity, and
the protection of those connected with the British Government, calling
for the exertion of every endeavour to ward oft so great a calamity as
that of a band of infuriate plunderers like the Joasmees being let loose
in the midst of a peaceable and mercantile community, the Resident}