Page 228 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

218 Records oj Bahrain

Part V—Chap. XXXVIII. 1G7

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

GOVERNOR'S ADVICE TO THE IMAM OF MASK AT AND THE
SHEIKH OF BAHREIN AS REGARDS THE FORMER’S
CLAIM FOR TRIBUTE—1S2E.
307. This claim of tlio Imam of Mask at to tributo from Bahrein was ono
over which tho maritime poaco of tlio Persian Gulf was constantly disturbed.
’Whatever was tho origin of tlio Imam’s claim, it appears from Major-General
Sir William Keir's letters of April 1st and May 1st, 1820, that the TJttubis had
formally ongaged to pay it, and it was their infringement of that agreement
that had led to disputes. The policy of the British Government at this time
was only to put a stop to piracies in tho Gulf, and not to interfere with
legitimate maritimo warfare between tho Arab States. We therefore confined
ourselves to morcly advising bclligorcnts to restrain their ardour for war
causing disturbance of maritimo peace. Such advico was tondcrcd by
Mr. ElpliinBtono, Governor of Bombay, to the Imam of Maskat and the Sheikh
of Bahrein, and his letters on the subject arc quoted below:—
Zeller from the Honorable Mountstuarl Elphinstonc, Governor of Bombay,
to His Highness the Imaum of Musical, dated 19th August 1822.
It was formerly tlio intentiou of this Government that Captain Uruco should ondcavour
to mediato anil accommodate tho differences
Volumo 01 of 1822.
regarding tho tiibulo between Your Highnesses
and the Ootoobeos of Duhroin, but circumstances having prevented that gentleman's perform­
ing the duty, I am induced to communicate my sculimcuts to both parties as tho common
friend of both and ns one greatly interested (on account of the British Government) in tho
preservation of tho tranquillity of the Persian Gulf.
My advico to Your Highness ie this, if tho tributo from Bahroin ho ono which has been
paid annually without dispute and without interruption to Your Highness and your ancestors
for a loug succession of years it is well ; you are entitled to continue to demand it. The
Ootoobecs will probably not long continue to withhold a tribute which has been always paid,
aud if thoy do so, Your Highness is entitled to cocrco them and retain your undoubted inheri­
tance. But if on tho other bond the tributo bo of recent establishment, or if it has been
liable to groat interruptions, aud he still considered by the Ootoobecs as a matter in dispute,
I would adviso Your Ilighnoss to give up tlio pursuit of it, boenuso evou if you should succeed
in establishing it, you will not do so without a war, and if a war once commcnco depre­
dations will bo ronewed, people will lcavo commercial pursuits for tlioso of plunder, the old
depredations in tlio Gulf will be renewed, aud in addition to tho injuries to mankind in
general Your Highness will yourself sudor lows more than tho tributo will malco up for.
The odcct of a disturbance is to throw things into confusion ; many not openly engaged
will plunder underhand and the war will soon bo not with the Ootoobecs but with all the
tribes in tho Gulf. Such is ray advice relaliug to tho Ootoobecs^
Better from the Honorable Ulountstunrt Elphinstonc, Governor qf Bombay,
to Abdoolla Bin TJhmud of the race of Khulce/'u, the Sheikh of Buhrein,
dated 19th August 1822.
In my formor letter I roforred you to Mr. Bruco for a scttlomout of your disputes with
tho Imaum of Muskat, but that gentleman not having had an opportunity of enquiring
regarding thorn, I now writo to Ilis Highness and to you on tho subjects If your tribute
to the Imaum be a matter of OBtabhshed right I would by all means recommend your
paying it, a sin tho first place it is lust lo givo every man his own, and secondly became war
is an evil to all people, hut especially to those engaged in commerce; bccauso if war begins,
confusion increased, fresh powers join from various motives, piracy is renewed and commerce
is interrupted. If, ou tuo other hand, tho Imaum’s claim on you ho altogether unjust and
unfounded, it is to he hoped that he will listen lo reason and bo induced to forego it.