Page 342 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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therofore, appearing to attach much importance to tho fact of whoso depend­
ants the liubbalaynites might really prove to be, I commenced endeavouring
to investigate tho matter. One of my guides, a native of tho Bunder Abbas
Districts, assured me that the liubbalaynites were ‘ lying’ (I mako use of his
own expression', and that they are the subjects of tho Sultan of Muscat. The
WaUeo of Khussub repeatedly maintained that they are such, and went so fur
on ono occasion, I understand, as to make statement to that effect in the very
presonce of Sooloyman, which statement Sooleyman did not attempt to refute.
Mattors standing thus, and perceiving no means of obtaining reliable informa­
tion on tho spot, I at last nctermincd to put the question direct to LI is
Highness Sycd Soweyneo in writing, without, however, mentioning that the
poople of Ilubbalayn olaim to be exempt from His Highness’s authority. Copy
and translation of the correspondence that has up to tho present moment
passed on this subject I do myself the honour to enclose with this letter. It
will be seen therefrom that Uis IJighness distinctly claims Khussab. Mukilub,
and the places in thoir neighbourhood as forming a portion of his dominions.
Unloss, therefore, the Jgasmen Chief puts forth counter-claims to Muklub, £
SCO no cause for any difficulties or obstacles arising with reference to telegiaphic
communication across toe Istlinau* dividing Elphinstone’s Inlet from Malcolm’s
Inlet. If, on the other band, couoter-claims be advanced by the Joasmee Chief,
I see no wiser course than to purchase out and out, in behalf of the Sultan of
Muscat, from the Joasmee, ti.o rights the latter protends to possess over the
locality, and subsequently to deal solely with His Highness Syed Soweynee. I
hope, however, no such necessity will occur.
" 3. Muklub is a rocky, desert piece of ground, inconveniently distant from
• For a tirce, w»y the next iwo or thiro month* Water, inconveniently distant from
to come, •Mepr.phio Officer, .nd Eoubibhimint resources, and there is no intention, I
..M. baud., Jiuklab ..d w,nbelieve> to utilize the spot for any . per.
tion.
(SJ.) H. D. manent purpose save that of burying our
cable across it from one inlet to the other and constructing upon it a land
line. Khussab, and not Muklub, is to be the Telegraphic Station, and so I gat her
from Colonel Stewart, all we expect from the people of Hubbalayn aud
Mukhukoo is that they should refrain from interfering with and should protect
the cable and land wire; that they should from time to time inspect the cable
at its shore ends, covering any portion that may accidentally be laid baro, and
finally, that they should immediately report to the Telegraphic Establishment at
Khussab any injury or accident that may have occurred to either cable or
wire. To ensure the attainment of these objects it will, of course, be necessary
for ns to conciliate the Chief and his dependants, and this, in their case, can
only be done by periodical presents and payments. On this matter, however,
Colonel Stewart and myself purpose reporting more definitely and more in
detail hereafter.
“4. There is a vast difference, I must confess, between the manners and
bearing of the Hubbalaynites and Khussabites; the latter areoivil and respectful
in the extreme, and are under a Chief who has had some intercourse with
the English. The Hubbalaynites, on the other hand, are perfectly uncivilized,
and Sooleyman, their Chief, appears grasping and uncouth to a degree. To
juflge from his physiognomy and what I know of him, he is an unkind barbarian.
Abid, bis brother, however, is a better specimen of humanity, and is certainly
more tractable. When I visited Hnbbalyan last month I resided amongst
its inhabitants for a number of days, and I ascertained that, although Xiicute-
nant Stifle had visited Muklub and other places in the neighbourhood the
year previous, I am the first Englishman who has actually landed at this
particular spot, Hubbalayn. I further gathered from enquiry that out of thirty-
four persons seated around me two only had seen or spoken to an Englishman ;
in short, the Arabs about Muklub, be they subjects of the Sultan of Muscat,
or he they subjects of the Joasmee Chief, are decidedly a wild set, and should
anything ocour to cause them serious displeasure, 1 can readily imagine they
would be disposed to be unscrupulously mischievous. Undefined notions of
the powers of the English, coupled with tho dread of losing their fishing-boats,
which appears to be the only property they prize, would be the sole available
restraint upon their action. All things considered, therefore, I venture
strongly to counsel the immediate dispatch from the presidency of a vessel of