Page 467 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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UTTOOBEES.
gifts above mentioned. It was not likely, therefore, that Shaikh
Mahomed bin Khaleefa, after such insults as these had been offered to
his dignity,—after such indignities had been heaped upon one he had
honoured, and merely because it was he that had honoured him,—would
be eager to receive with grace or courtesy persons that might in future
be deputed to his island on the part of the Wahabees. Shaikh Ma-
homed bin Kalcefa, when the above affronts occurred, remonstrated
strongly with the Ameer, and went so far as to threaten to blockade
the port of Kateef unless the envoy he had caused to be imprisoned
were at once released, and unless fitting apologies were made for
the unwarrantable acts he had been guilty of.
Such was the posture of affairs in the spring of 1850, and in such a
position did they remain until the commence­
a. d. 1851.
ment of the ensuing year, when dangers began
to thicken, and Shaikh Mahomed bin Khaleefa to tremble for the
integrity of his dominions. Ameer Fysul arrived within two stages of
Biddali; the inhabitants of the towns on the Guttur Coast (Fuwarit,
Wukra, Doah, &c.) deserted the side of the Bahrein ruler, and went
over to that of the Wahabee; negotiations that had for a long period
been carried on, through^ the intervention of the Resident, to strive and
induce the sons of the ex-chief to accept an annual allowance, and
abide peaceably on the island of Kenn, had utterly failed ;—indeed in
the month of July affairs had reached a crisis truly imminent. Shaikh
Mahomed bin Khaleefa, against his better judgment, had made offers
to the Ameer of compromising matters, by the payment of a small
yearly tribute, and these offers had been rejected with scorn, and
replied to by demands of an exorbitant character ; the sons of the ex-
chief had been invited to leave the Persian Coast, and join the
Wahabee.
It is needless entering further into detail on this matter : suffice it to
say, that in the end of July 1851 a peace was concluded, through the
good offices of Shaikh Syud bin Tahnoon, between Ameer Fysul and
Shaikh Mahomed bin Khaleefa. The fort of Biddah, too, was handed
back to Shaikh Ali bin Khaleefa, and the Wahabee Ameer returned to
Lahsa.
The rest of our narrative, though extending over a period of more
than two years, can be told in the fewest words. It comprises
scarcely anything new, but is a mere repetition of olden scenes and
olden fears. We have the launching of Buteels and the expectation of
attacks; seeking the Resident’s advice, and speaking disparagingly of
him for giving advice; the oppression of-subjects, and the flight of the
oppressed ; the deputing of envoys, armed with full powers, to effect
agreements, and the return of the envoys, to be censured for the
agree-