Page 513 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

469
J1ENIYAS.
tatcd at this repulse, and probably alarmed at the increase of influence
likely to be acquired by his rival, Sultan bin Suggur, from the favour of
the Imaum, Shaikh Tahnoon appears to have thrown himself into the
opposite scale, and, by a well-timed expedition into the Joasmce
territories, prevented that tribe from affording any efficient support to
Ilis Highness’ operations against Soliar. The consequence of this foray
was a declaration of war on the part of Sultan bin Suggur, who made
extensive preparations for the blockade of Aboothabce. The prospect
of hostilities, however, during the pearl fishing season, excited great
discontent in the minds both of the Joasmees and Beniyas, in con­
sequence of which the good offices of Shaikh Mahomed bin Guzeeb of
Lingah were sought by both parties, and after a short negotiation a
peace was concluded, in July 1831, through the mediation of that chief,
and the subjects of both parties proceeded forthwith to the pearl banks.
Shortly after this arrangement, a piracy was committed by some
people of Shargah upon two Beniyas pearl boats. In retaliation for
this outrage, Shaikh Tahnoon laid an embargo upon fourteen Joasmee
Buggarahs which happened to touch at Aboothabee. These, however,
on the restoration of the captured boats and cargoes by Shaikh Sultan,
he liberated, but detained the pearls and slaves belonging to the Shar­
gah vessels, until certain claims preferred by one of his subjects against
a man of Debaye (now residing under the protection of the Joasmee
Chief) should be settled. At the present time (December 1831) this
affair still remains unadjusted, and it is to be feared will eventually
terminate in the renewal of hostilities.

CONTINUATION OF THE PRECEDING, FROM
1832 TO 1843,

BY LIEUTENANT A. B. KEMBALL.
The latter end of the year 1831, according to the historical sketches
up to that time, found Shaikh Tahnoon, the Beniyas Chief, in the
course of negotiation with his enemies, Sultan bin Suggur and his
dependent the Chief of Ejman, relative to the mutual restoration of pro­
perty taken at sea by the subjects of either party. The war which had
threatened in consequence of the depredations of Tahnoon upon the
territories of his opponents, at a time when they were occupied with
their forces on the Batinah Coast, had been averted through the media­
tion of the Chief of Lingah.