Page 369 - Records of Bahrain (1) (ii)_Neat

Agreement with the British Government', 1861 725

G

No. 5.

TERMS OE A FRIENDLY CONVENTION ENTERED INTO BETWEEN
SHAIKH MAHOMED DIN KHALIFAH, INDEPENDENT
RULER OE BAHRAIN, ON THE PART OE HIMSELF AND
SUCCESSORS, AND CAPTAIN EELIX JONES, HER MAJESTY’S
INDIAN NAVY, POLITICAL RESIDENT OE HER BRITANNIC
MAJESTY IN THE GULE OE PERSIA, ON THE PART OE
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, 18G1.
Preliminary.—Considering tho tribo disorders which arise and nrc porpo-
tuated from maritime aggressions in the Persian Gulf, I, Shaikh Mahomed bin
Khalifah, independent ruler of Bahrain, on my own part and on that of my
heirs aud successors, in tho prcsonco of tho Chiefs and cldors who aro witnesses
to this document, do subscribe and agreo to a perpetual Treaty of peace and
friendship with, the British Government, having for its object the 'advance­
ment of trade and tho security of all classes of peoplo navigating or residing
upon tho coasts of this sea:—

Article 1.
I recognize as valid and in force all former Treaties aud Conventions
agreed to between tho Chiefs of Bahrain aud tho British Government, cither
direct or through the mediation of its representatives in this Gulf.

Article 2.
I agree to abstain from all maritime aggressions of overy description, from
the prosecution of war, piracy, and slavery by sea, so long as I rcccivo tho
support of tho British Government in tho maintenance of tho security of my
own possessions against similar aggressions directed against them by tho Chiefs
aud tribes of this Gulf.
Article 3.
In order that tho abovo engagements may be fulfilled I agreo to mako
known all aggressions and dopredations which may bo designed, or have to
place at sea, against mysolf, territories, or subject, as early as possible, to tho
British Resident in tho Persian Gulf, as tho arbitrator in such eases, promising
that no act of aggression or retaliation shall bo committed at sea by Bahrains or
in the name of Bahrain, by myself or others under mo, on other tribe, without
his consent or that of the British Government, if it should be necessary to
procure it. And tho British Resident engages that ho will forthwith take tho
nocossary stops for obtaining reparation for overy injury proved to havo been
indicted, or in courso of iuiliction by sea upon Bahrain or upon its dependencies
in this Gulf. In liko manner, I, Shaikh Mahomed bin Khalifah, will afford full
redress for all mnritimo offoncos which in justice can bo charged against my
subjects or myself, as the ruler of Bahrain.

Article 4.
British subjects of overy denomination, it is understood, may reside in,'and
carry on their lawful trade in tho territories of Bahrain, their goods being
subject only to an ad valorem duty of 5 per cont. in cash or in kind. This
amount onco paid shall not bo demanded again on tho samo goods if exported
from Bahrain to other placos; and in respect to tho treatment of British
subjects and dependants Ihoy shall rccoivo tho treatment aud consideration of
tho subject and dependants of the most favoured pooplo. All offences which
they may commit, or which may bo committed against thorn, shall bo resorved
for tho decisions of tho British ltosidont, provided tho British Agent located at