Page 569 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

KHOll 11 ASS AN. 525

In January 1S20, an intimation from the Resident at Bushire was
conveyed to Rahmah bin Jaubir, that his vessels
a. d. 1820.
were not to be permitted to leave Katcef to cruise
against the people of Bahrein, unless acting with an authorised State in
regular warfare, and that if they did so he would be punished by the
British Government. The next month Rahmah came over to Bushire
with three vessels, in order to co-operate in a projected expedition
against Bahrein by the Prince of Shiraz. Orders at this time had been
issued by Sir W. G. Kcir for the destruction of all the vessels belonging
to this chief, but as he was at the time of the receipt actually in the
service of the Regent of Fars, it was judged expedient to suspend their
execution until a further reference could be made. Rahmah sailed for
Tharee on the 10th February, to join His Royal Highness the Prince of
Shiraz, but on the way down, his large Buggalow was wrecked on the
Verdistan Shoal, and it was with great difficulty he and his people
escaped with their lives.
On the 13th April Rahmah bin Jaubir came over to Bushire, and on
his waiting on the Resident, he was requested to become a member to
the General Treaty, which he refused, under the plea of his being then
a servant of the Persian Government. This statement being confirmed
by the Shaikh of Bushire, and as the latter engaged to be responsible
for his peaceable conduct in future, the excuse was admitted.
Notwithstanding these promises, Rahmah still continued his aggres­
sions upon the trade of Bahrein, and in the pearl
A. D. 1821.
fishing season of 1821 he captured seven boats
belonging to that island, and killed twenty men, which induced the
Uttoobee Chiefs to apply to the British Government on the subject.
The Resident at Bushire was accordingly directed to prefer a
remonstrance to the Court of Shiraz against his
a. D. 1822.
proceedings, in consequence of which the Persian
Government ordered the Shaikh of Bushire to call on him to account for
his conduct, and likewise to detain his son and family as hostages for
his future good behaviour; but Rahmah having in the mean time left
Bushire, and placed himself under the protection of the Imaum, this
injunction was attended with no results.
In the commencement of the year 1822 this chief and Shaikh
Abdoolla bin Ahmed, of Bahrein, waited upon the Acting Political
Agent in Kishm, for the purpose of adjusting their differences ; but
both parties were so unreasonable in their demands that the attempt
failed altogether, and Shaikh Rahmah bin Jaubir proceeded to Muskat,
to lay his case before the Imaum.
About November 1S22 Rahmah bin Jaubir returned to Bushire, and
at the same time a communication was received from His Highness the