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in 1805, os the Sheikh fraudulently withheld a large sura of monoydue to soma
British Indians. The Government of India in commenting upon Colonel
Pelly’s proceedings observed (letter bo. 958, dated 24th September 1866) :__
“ 4. In respect of tho Bahrein buggalow (which has since sunk, but of tho recovery of which
Colonel Felly expresses hopes), I am instructed to say that His Excellency tho Governor-
Gcocral in Council assumes, from the expressions used in paragraph 7 of the letter of 17th
December last, that Colonel Pelly did not intend to finally confiscate the vessel without a
reference to His Bxcolleuoy tho Governor in Council, and through His Excellency to this
Government. It should be understood that for the future no such final confiscation can be
allowed to talco place by order of the Resident without a reference of this nature. SerionB
complications in the relations of the Government of India with respect to the Powers bordering
on the Gulf might otherwise bo the result.”
(vi)—GRAVE BREACH OF MARITIME PEACE BY TIIE CHIEFS OF ABU THABI
AND BAHREIN AND THE SHEIKHS OF KATAR.
50. An account of this grave maritime irregularity on the part of the
Chiofs of Bahrein and Abu Thabi is given in Chapter VII of the Bahrein
Precis, 1854—1904.
We have ouly to see the stop* taken for exacting reparation from the
Katar Chiefs and tho Chief of tho Ahu Thabi. The following extracts from
Colonel Pelly’s report, dated 25th September, will serve the purpose : —
° Captain Bn wn and I returned with Vigilant, Sind, and Hugh Bose to Wukra on the
L*tt«r No. Ill, d»tcrt 26th September I8G8. from Katar Coast, wbero l addressed letters framed in
minnfntMou!bJr.Del ^ ** Sccm"y t0 0oTCrn* tho spirit of the Government instructions to the
Prormiinj', ' Political A, October 1809. No*, principal Sheikhs. The Chiefs then again came
278-278. on board, pleading as before their reliance on our
non-interference, and adding that their own attacks at sea had been purely retaliatory. I
explained to them my instructions to visit them with the marked displeasure of Government,
but added that, if Captain Brown and I could clearly see our way to a solid re-establishment
of the peace, we should bo prepared for this time to give a lenient interpretation to the Govern­
ment orders.
Sheikh Mahomed-bin-Sani, the principal Chief of Katar, then gave in the subjoined
declaration,* which was witnessed by Captain Brown and myself.
* * *
Sheikh Mahomcd-bin Sani and the head Bedouin Sheikhs of Katar further gave in
common an agreement, under which any tribute due to Bahrein is to be determined before
the Resident, and hereafter to be paid through the Residency, thus providing against all
dispute and collision. This document also was witnessed by Captain Brown and myself.
I further addressed a letter to all the Chiefs of Katar, informing them of the arrange­
ments arrived at, and warning them of the consequences of any future breach of the maritime
truce.
A8, however, it apppared that certain of our British Indian subjects residing at Bahrein
had been plundered at Wukra to the amount of 13,0 ib krans, it seem-d just that the Chiefs
should reimburse this sum. I demanded it accordingly, and it was paid, six thousand krans
in cash and twelve thousand krans by bill on a wealthy pearl ineronant at Lingah, the bill
being secured by a bag of pearls made over to me scaled for delivery to the pearl merchant on
p ayraent of the bill.
On the evening of the 12th the Sind took both Vigilant and Hugh Rote in tow (as the
saving of coal was an object), and we then proceeded to Abu Thabi. Arriving at that port on
the morning of the 14th Captain Brown and 1 pulled on shore and delivered to the Chiefs son
a letter drawn up in conformity with the instructions of Government. But this Chief, whose
tribe is powerful, and whose strategic position between the Maakat and Wagra territories has
heretofore given him great weight, seemed quite unable to realize that Government wero at
length resolved to check his irregularities. He sent an Agent with an evasive letter on board,
and Captain Brown then moved the ships close in shore. Again the Chief 6ent an evasive
letter on board, and it became necessary to assure him that, if further delay ensued, compliance
with the Government demands would be enforced.
At the same time, it appeared to me undesirable at tho present moment to resort to force
*^L0lJr. object could any way be otherwise attained ; and this because our merchants at Abu
JPhabi have many lakhs of ru|>ees invested in the pearl season now closing, and which, woul
probably bo lo<t to them were the Abu Thabi fort to be destroyed and the pearl divers to
desert it in favour of some other port.
On the following morning, therefore I requested Haji Ahmed, tho Maskat Minister to
favour me by calling on the Chief, thus convinci n him that the Government were in earnes
* P. 138 of AitcbUon’a Trtatin, Vo). 1.