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Dated 20th March 1857.
From— Sheikh Sultan bin Saoomi, Joasmi Chief,
To—Captain Jones, Political Resident, Persian Gulf,
You wroto me that you were afraid of the disturbances that might arise from my proceeding
by sea to Dibba. I before informed you, and again now inform you, that wi ,n an attack was
mado on my grandson, Mushari, and I wished to proceed against the parties who attacked him,
I deputed my sons for the purpose. They, however, found the roads had been stopped by the
Shihiyin tribo. and accordingly returned to Ras-ul-Khima, whence they embarked and sailed
to Dibbah. They fell in with boats on the way, but did not molest them in the slightest.
Inquire, and you will find I speak true. My people refrained from acts of oppression on the sea
out of consideration for you. The Shihiyin were guilty of mauy inaritimo irregularities. They
embarked from Kumzar, and other places, and proceeded by sea. I hope you will not bo so over­
particular with me in affairs of thi* nature, for the Shihiyiu arc my pcoplo and my dependents.
When the Admiral was in the Gulf, the Shihiyin tribe attacked a number of the people
of Zaab (my subjects), and the Admiral told me to remaiu passive uutil he had reached Maskat,
and consulted the Imam. Ilis Highness, when consulted by tho Admiral, said: “ Whoever is
Chiof of Dibba has also authority over Ras-ul-Jibbal." The Admiral accordingly sent me per­
mission to act as l liked with my people. I submitted the particulate to Colouel Hennell, who
told me: "If such be 'he case show the Admiral's letter to Mulla Hussain, British Agent at
Shargah." I did so. Mulla Hussain wrote to tho Resident, who said: “Very good, you
have permission." I proceeded against the Shihiyin accordingly by sea, and avenged myself
on them. Inquiro of Haji Ahmed ; he is aware of this occurrence.
I hope you will not give the preference to my subjects over mo (who am their Chief),
thereby causing ruin to my people and my territory.

Dated 23rd April 1857.
From—Captain Jones, Resident, Persian Gulf,
To—Sheikh Sultan bin Saooar, Joasmi Chief.
Your letter of 26th March io answer to mine of 9th January has just reached my hands.
I regret to hear of the losses you are likely to sustain, and of the death of your grandson at the
hands of your refractory subjects, the Shihiyiu. Would it not, however, be better to ask your­
self if oppre6>ion had not driven them to violeuce ? I have however no desire to interfere on
this subject, but in respect to moving your fighting men aud armed boats by sea I will hear
nothing; for on every occasion when this has been done maritime aggressiou has followed, and
the peaceful in the end have become a prey. 1 repeat, again, 1 will no longer suffer this, what­
ever latitude may have been allowed you formerly. Ou this point ray determination is unalter­
able, made, as it has bceu, upon the constant aggressions of your people, an example of which is
still recent in the conduct of the Abu Hayle, and the connivance of the authorities of Shargah.
I allude to the piratical attack on Abu i'habi during last summer. This you and they have
shortly to answer for to the Sirkar, aud I warn you once more against adding to the list of
offences at the present time. That you may fully understand me I 6ay again I will hold
you accountable for any armed movement your boats may be employed in by sea, whether
against your own subjects or others, for there is no discrimination when bent on such errands.
The land is open to you for all purposes. Be content, and receive warning in time.

98. The Chief then oomplained in a letter, dated 16th March 1858, addressed,
to the Government of Bombay, against the measures of the Resident and
enquired whether he would not be justified in repelling the attack by sea of the
people of other tribes.
99. Relative to the subject of the above complaint the Resident observed
that Sheikh Sul fan bin Saggar’s aocusation
Vol. YII—166 of 1£68, p. 163.
against a part of the Shihiyin tribe as
having proceeded by sea and destroyed his town of Dibbah was wholly without
foundation.
The motive for Sheikh Sultan bin Saggar’s addressing the Governor in
Council direct was evident to tho Resident. It was to enlist the Government
sympathy, so that his own designs by sea against the Shihiyin tribe might have
its support, desirous as he was of forcibly subjecting those feeble people to his
rule, and thereby diverting their allegiance from their proper Chief His
Highness the Imam of Maskat, to himself
Shihiyin had ever been enemies of the Joasmi, though in the weakened
periods of the Imam’s rule they had been brought under the yoke of that
tribe, whose piratical tendencies had been conspicuous at all times, Of late