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war to protect and ensuro respect to our officers and establishment temporarily
employed among these uncivilized barbarians. Were it possible for a Royal
Navy Vessel to bo stationed off Muklub for a time, say two or three months,
I feel assured that the effect would bo invaluable, and that the objects above
indicated would bo thus fully attained without the risk of complications.
So far as I can judge, there would bo no necessity, on the contrary, it would
be rather unadvisable, for her crow to go much ou shore or to mix themselves
with the natives. Her presence would act as a salutary check upon the Arabs
if inclinoil to be annoying or mischievous, and her protection would be available
to us if actually necessary.
“5. I conclude by observing that many of the suggestions contained in this
letter are made after consultation with Colonel Patrick Stewart, who, no doubt,
will also furnish a Report.
416. A copy of this despatch will he forwarded in due course to Colonel
Pelly, Acting Political Resident at Bushire, and as I purpose returning imme­
diately to Mussendom, it is my intention presently to submit further particu­
lar's to Her Majesty’s Government

Dated the 20th February 1864.
From—Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Disbrowe, Political Agent, Muscat,
To—His Highness Syed Soweynee, Sultan of Muscat.
c‘ With reference to my letter under date the 6th instant, I do myself the
honour to make known to Your Highness that 1 have returned from Malcolm’s
Inlet.
“ 2. The following particulars may be of interest to Your Highness:—
€‘ 3. The submarine cable has, thank God, been successfully laid as far as
Muklub, the narrowest point of the isthmus between the village of Hubba-
layn and Mukhukoo, and telegraphic communication thence with India has
already commenced.
“ 4. With regard to the site for the station, so far as I am at present able to
judge, Khussab, and nor. Muklub, will be selected by Colonel Patrick Stewart
for the permanent buildings. Muklub will be utilized merely for the construc­
tion of a short land line, and no officers will be stationed there, the position
being painfully arid and in other respects unsuitable. It will, however, be
necessary thoroughly to provide for the protection of the land line and the
extremities of the submarine cable landed on either- side of Muklub, and
as it is desirablo, with a view to this object, to enter into certain arrangements
with the inhabitants of the spot, I shall feel obliged by Your Highness
informing me, for the purposes of official record, whether Muklub, together
with tho other two villages above named, form part of Your Highuess’s domi­
nions, and further, whether we possess Your Highness’s permission to carry out
the arrangements above referred to.
“ 6. Colonel Patrick Stewart and Sir Charles Bright accompanied me from
Malcolm’s Inlet to this port, and are anxious to do themselves the honour of
paying their respects to Your Highness. Will Your Highness be kind enough
to acquaint me when it will be convenient to receive them”.

Dated the 12th Rumjan 1280, 21st February 1804.
From—Hia Highness Syed Sowbyneb, Sultan of Muscat,
To— Lihgtinant-Colonbl Herbert Disbrowb, Politcal Agent, Muscat.
“ I have received and understood your letter.
“ I was delighted at your return ; was also delighted to hear. that the
telegraph has reached Muklub; may it ever continue in good condition. You
have written regarding Muklub, Kliussab and their neighbourhood; these are all
my countI'y and my dependants ; no ono has any concern with them. You write
you want to make arrangements with the people of those parts, but you do
not explain the particulars, though they are my subjects and dependants. If !
you possess any intention, you should explain.
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