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" Regarding the telegraphio buildings, you have my permission to construct
them wherever you desire in those parts. Colonel Stewart, you inform me,
proposes to croot tho buildings at Kkussab; I am of opinion that Kkussab
is a desirable spot for the purpose.
“ Regarding tho visit of Colonel Stewart and Sir Charles Bright, please God»
I shall be prepared to receive them to-morrow, and will sond word when I
am ready ________
“ N.B.—The above translation has been mado rather hurriedly owing to
the steamer requiring the mails.
“ A revised translation will be submitted by first opportunity”.
__________ (Sd.) H. D.
No. 39, dated the 24th February 1864.
From—Lioetenant-Colonel Hebbbkt Disbrowe, Political Ageufc, Miueat,
To—W. H. HiVELOCK, tsq., Officiating Secretary to the Government of Bombay.
“It has struck me that in my letter No. 35, dated yesterday, I have
perhaps, scarcely expressed myself with sufficient clearness and force regarding
the temperament of the Hubbalavnites and Mukhukooitcs; I do mysolf the
honour, therefore, to submit the following additional observations :—
“ 2. I lived, as already made known, among the Hubbalaynites for a number
of days antecedent to the arrival of the telegraphio vessels with the cable,
and I had then, and have had since, good opportunities of observing their incli
nations and characters. I might enter into a lengthy description of little
incidents and occurrences that have taken place, buu time does not admit of
my furnishing dotails.
“3. I shall coufine myself, therefore, to recording the impressions that have
been created in my mind by my visits, and these are, that the Hubbalaynite
and Mukkukooites are destitute of the good qualities that generally characterize
the Arabs: the only qualities 1 have, indeed, been able to discover among them
are lying, cuuning, avarice, thieviug, and mischief.
“4. Hospitality and civility appear unknown among them, and their Chief
Sooleyman, seems to be the greatest villain of all. In short, although it is
but fair that I should record the fact of myself, my servants, my horse, and
my property having been in the midst of them unguarded and yet unmolested
for a number of days recently, still I am aware that thefts have since been
committed on property belonging to the telegraph, and I feel assured that nothing
but fear restrains them from being openly mischievous, I might almost say
violent.
“ 5. I venture, therefore, strongly to reiterate the opinion I expressed in
my letter above adverted to, that the presence of a man-of-war is imperatively
necessary to ensure protection and respect to our officers and establishment
temporarily employed at Muklub ”.
No. 600, dated the 8th March 1864.
From—C. Gonne, Eaq., Officiating Secretary to the Government of Bombay,
To—Lizutzhakt-Colonel H. F. Disbrowe, Political Agent, Muscat.
“ I am direoted to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, dated the 22nd
and 24th ultimo, Nos. 35 and 39, submitting observations in connection with
your recent visit to Mussendom, and suggesting that a vessel of war be dis
patched for the protection of the telegraph party employed at Muklub.
“ 2. In communicating the approval of Government of your proceedings,
I am desired to state that orders have been issued for the dispatch of the Gun
boat Hugh Rose to Mussendom, and His Excellency the Governor in Council
trusts that the presence of this vessel will afford adequate protection to the
telegraph party and stores in that neighbourhood, and assist in maintaining
the authority of His Highness the Imaum of Musoat so far as it legitimately
extends.

