Page 491 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

447
WAHABEES.

arrangements had been thwarted and overturned by the treacherous
conduct of the Beniyas Chief, who had entered into a close and intimate
correspondence with the Egyptian Agent, and had offered him an asylum
in his fort in case of his expulsion from Shargah ; in corroboration of
which statement lie produced a letter from Shaikh Khaleefa to the address
of that individual, alluding to the little assistance afforded him by the
Joasmees during the four months he had resided on their coasts, and
pledging himself to support him with the whole of the resources of the
Beniyas, whether by land or by sea, whenever called upon, He was
informed that Shaikh Khaleefa had subsequently pledged himself in
writing to drop all further connection with Korshid Pacha or his agents,
and that therefore his objections were removed. Upon this he requested
to be furnished with a document, requiring him to demand the imme­
diate departure of Syud bin Moolluk, which was accordingly supplied;
and it was at the same time intimated to the Egyptian Agent, that
Humood bin Suroorand Mahomed bin Abdoolla, the Chiefs of Naeemin
Brymee, having with their tribes been taken under the protection of the
British Government, he would consequently be held responsible for
any injury he might inflict' upon them. He was moreover called
upon, under the assurances of His Highness Mahomed Ali Pacha, to
quit the Arabian Coast, and return to his immediate superior, Korshid
Pacha.
Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur further agreed to enter into no correspond­
ence or engagements with Mahomed Ali or his dependents, or any
foreign power, without the knowledge and permission of the British
Government, and to consider its enemies as his enemies: he was, in
return, to be furnished with warlike munitions in the event of his being
attacked from any quarter, on consideration of his compliance with the
wishes of the British Government.
The application of the Beni Naeem Shaikhs to be placed under
British protection was favourably received. They were encouraged to
stand firm in their resolve to maintain their independence ; and it was
determined to send an Agent to reside at Brymee, and to furnish them
with ammunition, if necessary.
The local Government of Muskat was also called upon to unite in
the views and policy of the British Government, and to afford every aid
and support to the inhabitants of Brymee.
To keep up or recover the semblance of the character under which
the Egyptians first entered Nujd, and as a blind to their designs of
further aggrandisement, Ameer Khalid was invested with a dress of
honour, and proclaimed ruler of the province of Nujd.
Syud bin Mootluk, on receiving the Resident’s protest, and hearing
of the measures which had been adopted by him with reference to the