Page 237 - Records of Bahrain (1) (ii)_Neat

British influence, 1847-1856 595

tranquil and flourishing condition of Koweit and the commercial
Ports on the Persian Coast; the first as a dependency of the
Ottoman Porte; the last, as subject to the Persian Government. He
Is too proud and self-sufficient to see that the peace and
prosperity enjoyed by those Towns, arise altogether from the mild
and just sway exercised over them by their respective chiefs, and
not from their connexion with Turkey or Persia, At the same time it
must be admitted that either of these Powers would be only too happy
to accept the offer of Bahrein being placed under its authority, and
although the Porte could do little towards maintaining peace and
security on that Island, there can be no question that the Persian
Government by refusing an asylum on its coasts to the malcontents
and seceders from Bahrein, might greatly check, if it did not
altogether put a stop, to the Cabals and intrigues now supposed to
be in operation for the subversion of the rule of Sheik Mahomed bin
Khuleefa and the restoration of that of his Grand Uncle, Sheik
Abdoollah bin Ahmed. It may be necessary to observe that the
circumstance of Bahrein becoming a Persian or Turkish dependency,
would not be without its embarrassments, while it certainly would
diminish our influence in the Gulf.
5. On the other hand, it is I think equally certain, were it once
publicly proclaimed, that by the unanimous desire of the Chief, and
Inhabitants of Bahrein, that Island had become a British dependency
or even taken under the protection of England, all the seceders of
every rank and class, would speedily and willingly return to their
native land; feeling secure that not only would they be henceforth
safe from the risk of foreign aggression, but that no acts of
oppression or injustice on the part of their local rulers would be
tolerated for the future. . Under such a change of circumstances I
cannot doubt that Bahrein would speedily recover its former
flourishing and prosperous condition.
6. I have now attempted to lay before the Right Honble the
Governor in Council, both sides of the question. It will remain for
the Government to decide whether the loss of our influence, likely
to accrue in this quarter from the contingency of Bahrein becoming a
dependency of either Persia or Turkey, is of sufficient Importance
to counterbalance the trouble and embarrassment which may arise from
accepting the proposition of the Chief of that Island, that he
should henceforth be considered a subject of Great Britain. It is
with diffidence and some hesitation I venture to add that my own
opinion Inclines to the negative.

7. In submitting for the Information of the Right Honble the
Governor in Council a translation of my reply dated the 20th
instant, to Sheik Mohamed bln Khuleefa.
Residency in the Pn Gulf, I have the honor to be
Bush ire 28th February 1849 Signed S. Hennell
Resident in the Persian Gulf