Page 400 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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JOASMEES.

Passing over the countless intrigues which the Joasmee stooped
a. d. 1851. to commit, and confining the narrative to a
bare relation of the actual deeds he performed
Hie doings of Shaikh Sultan in the year 1351 can be told in a word •’
he made peace with Shaikh Syud bin Tahnoon, out of spite to the
Wahabce, because he favoured Shaikh Muktoom more than himself.
He received a
remonstrance from the Ameer for effecting the alliance,
und replied to His Highness that, in accordance with the wishes he ex­
pressed, he would break off the friendship contracted,—a promise it is
needless to say he never intended to fulfil, for it was opposed to his
interest to do so.
He rushed to the assistance of Syud Giles, Chief of Sohar, in his
conflict with the Imaum of Muskat, according to engagement, and was
deceitful enough to accept presents in gold, and forsake the cause he
had faithfully promised to uphold.
Sucli was the character of the Joasmee’s proceedings during the
year 1851.
In -the spring of the ensuing year a Ras-ool-Khyma Buggalow, when
on her return to the Persian Gulf from the
a. d. 1852,
African Coast, and while still in the neighbour­
hood of Zanzibar, committed a piracy upon a vessel belonging to
that port.
The uncertain and tardy means of communication existing between
the ports of Zanzibar and Bushire caused considerable delay in obtain­
ing the information necessary to establish the true particulars of the case,
and to fix the just amount of satisfaction to be demanded from Shaikh
Sultan bin Suggur; for although Captain Kemball wrote to Major
Hamerton on the subject of the piracy so early as the month of June
1852, and, receiving no reply up to the 3rd of August following, again
addressed him regarding it, and finally, on the 4th of February in the
succeeding year, found it necessary to write a
a. d. 1853.
third despatch, begging to be favoured with an
answer to his previous communications, it was not until the month of
August 1853 that a reply from that officer reached the Resident at
Bushire ; and even then, the ofFending Buggalow, though owned by a
native of Ras-ool-Khyma, yet being manned, as she was, by people of
Kusbeeah, who are the acknowledged subjects of His Highness Syud
Saeed, and the Joasmee Chief “repudiating his liability’’ to afior
redress in consequence, Captain Kemball, considering the arguments
adduced by Shaikh Sultan to be deserving of attention, thought it right
to make a further reference to Major Hamerton on the subject, and up
to the close of the year, no reply having been received, tie ma
remained unadjusted and pending.