Page 227 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

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The General Treaty with Britain, 1820 217

1D8 Tort V—Chap. XXXVI.
27. My chief difliculty was respecting (ho dispute with llama bin Jahir ond X
„ . r ,. am sorry to say that my endeavours to offcct an
ama m a nr. adjustment have hitherto bccn-of no avail. This
affair howover will form the subject of a future letter.
28. Tho Sheikh informed uv tlmt a Haliilc belonging tn one of bin subjects ha I been
captured by IIis Majesty's shin S»/i/iia in cousoquouce of having seized a boat l’roin Bushirc in
Buesora river, on account of a claim which the owner of tho Battilo had against the Shoikh- of
Bushirc. IIo declared his entire disavowal and disapprobation of t«»c act and justified himself
by saying that ho had oxprcssly warned the owner •»( the boat not to retaliate on any Bushirc
vcssols which he might meet with. I informed him that until I was mado fully acquainted
with tho circum6laucc6,1 could not judge of the merits of the case, but that every Sheikh must
ho answcrablo for tho acts of his subjects, and that if lie could not punish them, we must.
The Sheikh assented to this, promised to punish tho offenders and expressed much anxiety
in oudeavouring to cxcuso himself from blamo. It was not until my return to this place that
I found tho Battilo had been carried to Bombay* under circumstances which I have already
explained to Government.
29. Tho Sheikh mado great complaints against tho Imaum of Muscat, who he said had
not only violated hi* engagements with him, but had abetted linma bin labor in his un­
provoked aggression on his peoplo, although it was only at the I.nnum's entreaty that he had
admitted Hint Chief, who was the unci- nt enemy of his family, to terms of pence, lie at tho
tamo time professed tho utmost contempt for the Imaum n6 well as for the Sheikh of Bushirc,
and tho Porsinns in general as enemies ; and declared that tho Utubis were both ablo and willing
to rovengo themselves on the whole of them, but for their peaceable engagements with us.
30. Observing that tho Sheikh seemed to consider the adoption of the pacificatod flag as
implying a nearer end more dependent relation with our Government than it really docs, I
took occasion locxplain to him that it was tho Arab, noMho British flag ; but those tribes who
wero parties to the treaty with us had agrcod to distinguish themselves by wonriug round the
red flag a border of white, which is alone emblematic of poacc, in token of their relinquishment
of piracy.
81. Both tho Sheikhs were profuse in their assurances of attachment to our Government
aud promised to abide by their amieablo engagements ; indeed, the whole of tho Sheikhs of tho
coasts professed their determination to avoid every act which would bo an infringement of their
prc6ont friendship with tho English. I mado small picsculs to them all, with which they seemed
gratified.
32. On our voyago back to Bushirc, I took tho opportunity of violent and continued
contrary winds to visit Oongoon, and reached this place on tho loth February.
33. Having thus detailed my proceedings iu execution of the ordors of Government, I beg
leavo to offer for your consideration somo further
General ,talc of tho Gulf.
particulars respecting tho 6tatc of tho Gulf, and tho
condition of iis Chiofs.