Page 36 - Records of Bahrain (1) (ii)_Neat

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Records oj Bahrain

property and boats returned to them, I replied Chat, in the
i first place, any guarantee from us was out of the question and,
i! in the second, that their return to Bahrein was a condition to
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which Esa ben Tareef and his followers would never agree. Upon
1 this objection being made Hajce Boo Sahab said that, to avoid
the effusion of blood consequent upon war his Master would even
consent to satisfying their claims, provided they would leave
Abodhabee and settle on the coast of Gutter. I answered that,
at an earlier period, some hopes of such a proposition being
favorably received might have been entertained; but that, I

feared it was too late, as only a few days remained to the
period fixed for the commencement of hostilities, I added how-
i
ever that I was too anxious to avert the distress and misery
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which I was certain would arise from a war not to take advantage
! of any opening which might offer for an amicable adjustment of
'
differences, and therefore if Hajee Boo Shab was prepared to
enter into negotiations for this desirable object, I would take
up myself the responsibility of despatching one of the Vessels
of War with him to Aboothabee in order to afford the opportunity
of his holding a personal communication with the heads of the
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al-i-ally Tribe. This Suggestion seemed to give the Hajee much
satisfaction, but after a little consideration he said that he

could not accept my proposal without first having the authority
of Sheikh Abdoolla and receiving from him more ample powers to
treat than he at present possessed, he therefore hoped that it
would be in my power to send a Cruizer over to Bharein with
Instructions to accompany him to Aboothabee should he be able
to obtain the consent of his Chief to such an arrangement.
3. Although I confess that I do not entertain any san­
guine hopes that even should Sheikh aboothabee ben Amed be
induced to make this advance towards a reconciliation with his
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fugitive subjects that the indispensable condition of quitting
Aboothabee will be agreed to by the latter; still) I am most
desirous that not the slightest chance of an accommodation