Page 440 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

396 TJTTOOBEES.

The Resident’s sanction for the prosecution of open and proclaimed
war having been duly given, these chiefs wore reminded of the
restrictive line, within the limits of which they would be compelled to
confine their warlike operations at sea ; and so also was the Shaikh of
Bahrein, on the Assistant Resident’s visit to that island, where lie
was deputed solely for the purpose of making known to him the
public designs of his enemies, and their declaration of war against
him.
Tliis communication was received with much surprise and apprehen­
sion by the Uttoobee Chief, who appeared to doubt that permission had
been granted to the parties coalescing. He stated that the news had
reached him too late; that most of his vessels and dependents had left
on their trading voyages, and that, his country therefore denuded of
troops, and his means of defence gone, he earnestly hoped that hostili­
ties would not be permitted to commence until their return; that
otherwise, with however great contempt he looked upon the power of
each individually,—the two, Esai bin Tarif and Busheer bin Rahmah
bin Jaubir, as insignificant, and the Wahabee Chief as deficient in
shipping and means of transport,—it would not be in his power to cope
with them united; hinting that he would be compelled to make the best
terms he could with the latter, thereby virtually ceding the island to
him,—a measure which he conceived would not be approved of or al­
lowed by the British Government; that he had opened a negotiation
with that ruler for the release of Shaikh Shafee, his relation, offering in
return to deliver up Ajeer (a large and strong fort on the coast between
Demaum and Kateef), and to raise the blockade of his seaport. He
expressed his willingness to permit of Busheer removing his property
from Demaum ; but that he could not admit of his taking any of his
large vessels into that harbour,—in other words, of his placing men and
means at the disposal of his enemies.
His request for the suspension of hostilities until the return of his
vessels was in the first instance referred to the British Government.
Mahomed bin Khaleefa’s first object was to establish himself on the
Guttur Coast, in order to have at his disposal the naval resources of its
inhabitants, and to keep open his communication with his colleagues.
The Wahabee ruler now again opened a communication with the
Bahrein Chief, acting the part of a mediator, and recommending peace
with his grand nephew. He further released Shafee, who promised, on
his arrival at Demaum, to exert his utmost influence to restore peace.
the means and
Shaikh Abdoolla, however, whether treating lightly
talent of Mahomed bin Khaleefa, who must nevertheless be hencetor 1
looked upon as by no means a despicable rival, or putting litt e tius
in the sincerity of the Wahabee ruler, treated his mediatory efforts wi 1