Page 451 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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IJTTOOBEES. 407

territorial possessions, without intending to bind him down by some
stringent engagements ; but his real one was to ascertain what effect such
an intimation would have, and whether the British Government was
prepared to frustrate or supplant this anticipated paramount Wahabee
influence on Bahrein, and take upon themselves the office volunteered
by.Fysul.
He received in reply no encouragement, and was, moreover, assured
that the British Government sought no territorial aggrandisement in
this quarter, and had only one object, that of the suppression of piracy,
and the maintenance of the tranquillity of these seas.
At the present time (August 1844) the ex-chief resides at Nabend, on
the Persian Coast, but most of his sons are located at Muharag, without
enjoying, however, any share in the government of the island. Shaikh
Moobaruk bin Abdoolla, it is reported, returned to Guttur, for the pur­
pose of meeting Mahomed bin Khaleefa, and coming to some amicable
arrangement, but that the latter positively refused to confirm or execute
the agreement entered into with the sons of the ex-chief, in the presence
of Ameer Fysul, and consented only to the ex-chief’s returning to
reside on the island as a private individual, provided his conduct was
guaranteed by the British Government,—a condition which he was
aware would never be accepted. It appears improbable that Mahomed
bin Khaleefa and his brothers, the present Chiefs of Bahrein, will ever of
themselves consent to the re-establishment of their grand uncle, Shaikh
Abdoolla bin Ahmed, at Bahrein;—at the same time, the deep jealousy
of the power and independent bearing of Esai bin Tarif, entertained by
the Khaleefa family, and growing desire to resist the encroachments of
Ameer Fysul,5* may induce them to give their consent to arrangements
which, under other circumstances, they would have opposed by every
means in their power.

' CONCLUSION, TO THE YEAR 1853,

BY LIEUTENANT H. F. DISBROWE.

The proud and headstrong Abdoolia bin Ahmed had, we are
told by Captain Kemball, at the close of his
a. d. 1844.
narrative of the Uttoobee Tribe, taken up his
position at a place called Nabend, on the Persian Coast. The
rival claims for superiority between himself and his grand nephew,

* The demand for arrears of tribute, although twice made, has not up to this time (1844)
been paid.

f *