Page 210 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

200 Records of Bahrain

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Designs of The idea of transferring Bahrain to Saiyid Sa'id of Masqat, which
Masqat and
Porma on had at first boon entertained, was thus definitely set aside; but tho
Bahrain, Saiyid himself did not neglect to make uso of his temporary closo
1620.
connection with the British at ltas-al-Khaimah for the purpose of
advancing his interests in Bahrain. The crippling of their allies, tho
Qawasim, was a severe blow to the 'UtCib of Bahrain, who moreover
suspected that tho ruler of Masqat was encouraged and supported
in his designs by the British Government; ami so impressed were tho
Persians with the probability of tho Saiyid's success on this occasion
that at the beginning of 1820 the Government of Pars, who had
recently rather hung back in the matter, began to beg him to convey
their troops to Bahrain; and the Priuco Governor of Shiraz, when
these applications failed, actually addressed himself to the commander
of tho British expedition and rccpicsted the loan of four or five transports,
—a demand which, needless to say, was refused. An active share was
taken in the Persian preparations by the *Alhi freebooter Italimah-bin-
Jabir, formerly of Khor Hassun in Qatar, who was now domiciled at
Dammam in Hasa.
Submission When, early in January 1820, Saiyid Sa'id parted from Sir W.
of the’Utub Grant Keir at Itas-al-Khaimah, it was believed that lie would immediately
of Bahrain to
tho Saiyid of attack Bahrain without depending on any except his own resources, and
Masqat, this he may have intended to do ; but tho Al Klialifah, now thoroughly
1820.
alarmed, anticipated action on his part by making full submission through
an agent whom they sent to Masqat. The terms arranged wero that
the 'Ulub of Bahrain should pay an annual tribute of §30,000 to His
Highness, while ho should rclcaso certain 1 Atbi Shaikhs whom ho had
detained and restore some Bahraini vessels and other property which ho
had taken at sea on their way from India. Both parties appear to
have stipulated for a guarantee of this arrangement by tho British
Government, but none was apparently, obtained; later, however, an
instalment of §12,000 seems to have been actually remitted by tho
'Utiib to Masqat on account of the promised tribute; and as to the
fact of tho tribute having been promised, at least, there can be no doubt
whatever.
Direct Some ten Qasimi craft which were liablo to destruction by tho
British British armament at llas-al-Khaimah having taken refuge in Bahrain,
dealings with
Bahrain, Captain Loch'was despatched from Rfis-al-Khaimah with II.M.S. “Bden
January
1820. and II.M.S. “Curlew” to demand their surrender. This on the
17th of January 1820 he obtained, as also an agreement by the Shaikh
not to admit any more boats of tho same character into his port until