Page 303 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

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Renewed hostilities with Rahmah h. Jabir, 1825-1826 293

established custom he would doubtless give intimation of his
intention to commence hostilities whenever he should be compelled
to have recourse to so unpleasant an alternative, but I assured
him I should at all times be ready to assist him in averting

such a calamity as far as the mediation or influence of the
British Government could extend. In the present case l promised
to use my utmost endeavours to bring Rahma bin Jabir to reason
and obtain sufficient security for the future, but that in the
event of finding him obstinate, I should be under the necessity
of blockading his port and thus compel him to desist from
plundering his neighbours.

6. Notwithstanding the provocations which Sheikh
Abdoola has received, and the assurances which he has given me
of his only being deterred from resenting them out of regard to
the Treaty I should suspect that he will not precipitate

matters, but quietly await the course of events and regulate
his conduct by the view which Government may be disposed to
take of the business. His reluctance to come to another
rupture with Rama bin Jabir has been always conspicuous and is
noticed in the enclosed letters from Mahomed bin Erraher, as
proceeding from the mildness of the Arab character, but I
believe this forbearance may rather be imputed to an apprehension
of embroiling himself with a strong party which Rahma bin Jabir
appears ever still to maintain among the Uttobee Tribe, and
altho' most urgent and anxious for his destruction it is probable

that he will only come forward as our auxiliary in any attack
which may be directed against his refractory Kinsman. The