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“ In recording the above opinion, however, I beg it may distinctly be
understood that I by no means intend to imply that the necessity for dispatch­
ing a royal navy vessel to these parts has been altered or removed. The
necessity, I consider, still continues, for, in the first place, appearances, as is
well known, are oftentimes deceitful, and, in the second place, there are not
wanting indications to keep up in my mind the impression that the presence
hero of a vessel of war would be invaluable as a check upon the evil propensi­
ties of the Arabs, It should be remembered 100, I icspectfully submit, that this
is the first occasion, the very commencement I may say, of British intercourse
with the wild Arabs residing in these regions. Colonel Stewart will, I trust,
within ten days, be leaving this place for liu-hire and Pmsorah, and I purpose
remaining a short time after his departure with a uew to watch how matters
progress and to strive aud conciliate the Arabs: I shall further endeavour
cautiously to collect reliable information respecting the tribes around, who they
are subject to, and so forth.
“ I cannot think of dosing this despatch without recording the valuable
assistance I have derived from Colonel F. J Goldtmid on all occasions and on
all matters of importance since my arrival here from Muscat. The value of
the advice 1 have received from him has been enhanced by the cordiality with
which it has been accorded

No. 35, dated tho 22nd February 1864.
From—Lietttena.nt-Colonel Hekbskt Disbrowe, Political Agent, Muscat,
To—W. H. HivtLOCK, Esq., Officiating Secretary to Government of Bombay.
“ On the 27th ultimo, I made known to Her A1 ajesty’3 Government that I
had just returned from the Mussendom Districts, to which I had proceeded on
duty connected with the sub-marine telegraph; on the same date I forwarded
transcript of a roughly-written and lia>tily-prepared letter I had addressed to
Colonel Patrick Stewart on the subject of my visit. There were points,
however, I observed in one of my letters, that required particular notice, but
which, owing to the want of time, I was unable to do more than oursorily
touch upon. 1 proceed accordingly to rectify the omission, and do. myself the
honor to submit the following observations for the information of Bis Excel­
lency the Governor in Council.
" 2. Muklub, the spot discovered last year by Lieutenant Stiffe, and fixed
upon within the last few days by Colonel Stewart for our short telegraphic
land line, lies between the villages of Hubbalayn ard Mukhukoo in Malcolm’s
Inlet. The Mussendom Districts, including Lvhussab, aro held to be under the
sole authority of Bis Highnesn the Sultan of Muscat. Aiy surprise, therefore,
was not inconsiderable on the lith ultimo, when I heard remarks which created
in my mind doubts as to the correctness of the opinion hitherto entertained and
recorded regarding the boundary of Bis Bighness’s possessions in Mussendum.
I was seated on tho above date conversing with Sooleyman, the Sheix of
Hubbalayn, and 1 learnt from him that the Hubbalaynites pretend to acknow­
ledge Sheik Sultan bin Saggur, the Joasmee Chief, as their lord, and not His
H ighness tho Sultan of Muscat. To the above observation on the part of
Sooleyman, the Chief, I merely stated, in reply, that I was acquainted with the
Joasmee Chief, and that he is on terms of friendship with the British Govern­
ment. At the same time I inwardly felt that, if it be really true that Hubba­
layn is subject to the Joasmees, and not to Muscat, disoussions might possibly
hereafter arise with reference to our cable; and this anxiety it was that led me
to notify the circumstance] to Government in my letter above referred to,
though time was not at my disposal to enter into details on the subject:
Mukhukoo, the second village spooified, is distant from Hubbalayn somo two
miles by sea and three miles by land, is a place of occasional resort for the
inhabitants of Hnbbalayn, and is, in fact, under the authority of the Chief of
Hubbalayn: Muklub, situated as it is between, and in dose proximity to, the
villages named, is, therefore, in like manner, subject to the Chief of Hubbalayn,
Although from the manner in which Sooleyman made known to me that he
considers himself a subject of Sheik Sultan, I thought there might be some
truth in the statement he advanced. I felt by no means disposed to credit the
story until I had cautiously instituted enquiries on the subjeot. Without,

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