Page 449 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

UTTOOBEES. 405

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limit, the British Government in no way called upon to interfere, so far
as to attend to the complaint and requisition of the Chief of Koweit
that it should compel the release of the boats, and the restoration of their
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cargoes, still it was deemed advisable to recommend Mahomed bin
Khaleefa, rather than incur the risk of a misunderstanding with that
powerful chief, to comply with his wishes, on the understanding that he
should not interfere further in the quarrel, nor again attempt to throw
any aid or supplies into Demaum. After some trifling hesitation, this
judicious counsel was acquiesced in.
A few days after his arrival at Bushire, the ex-chief landed, and took
up his residence in a bastion which had been prepared for his accom­
modation, while tents were pitched for the reception of his numerous
followers, bringing his vessels (of which two only now remained with
him) into the backwater, and drawing them up on shore. He was
received with marked attention by the local authorities : a salute of
three rounds of musketry was fired by the Sirbaz garrison, who were ail
paraded on the occasion. It is hardly probable that such marks of
respect would have been exhibited, unless under instructions from the
Ameer of Shiraz, and it was rumoured that Shaikh Abdoolla bin Ahmed
had asked for the aid of a body of troops, to consist of 100 horsemen
and 500 infantry, and that, in addition to taking upon himself all the
disbursements incurred in their equipment, had offered to pay a large
annual tribute to the Shah, and to leave his son as a hostage for the due
fulfilment of this engagement.
After waiting nearly three months for a reply to his proposition, or
some token of its being taken into favourable consideration, and finding
that it was mere loss of time and labour, the ex-chief determined upon
taking his departure.
Visiting the Resident, he stated that his principal object in soliciting
an interview was to express his earnest hope that the friendship and
countenance of the British Government, which he had formerly enjoyed
for so many years, would be once more extended to him ; that the
feeling of his not being viewed by the British authorities with the same
favour and good will which had once existed, weighed heavily upon
him, and paralysed his efforts ; that he sought no aid or support in the
recovery of his just rights beyond the belief that he might hope for the
renewal of the friendly countenance once afforded him ; and that the
British Government would not possess a firmer and more devoted
adherent than himself. In reply, the fact that his proceedings had not
been satisfactory to the British Government was not disguised ; nor
the rejection of the overture made to support him in opposing the
establishment of the authority of Mahomed Ali Pacha over Bahrein :
the violation of the residence of the British Agent, by the seizure and

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