Page 38 - Records of Bahrain (1) (ii)_Neat

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i 396 Records oj Bahrain
subjects employed ten times the number of Boats in traffic
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as compared with Aboothabee, I had thought that the Bahrein
Sheik would have viewed with satisfaction the establishment

of a restrictive line, but that if he still continued averse
to it, 1 would make a reference to India and receive the
further commands of the Government upon the subject.
5. I cannot explain the conduct of Sheik Abdoollah
throughout this affair in any other way than upon the suppo­
sition that he entertained an erroneous impression that we
were prepared to do any thing rather than see hostilities
break out between himself and Aboothabee; and therefore to
avoid this alternative, means would be taken by us to compel
his fugitive subjects to return to their allegiance, It is

evident that he is very unwilling to go to war at present,
but whether his Arab pride will stoop to make such concessions
as may avert it remains to be seen, I am inclined to think
that his opposition to the restrictive limit is offered merely
in the hope that we would rather forbid hostilities on both
sides than give it, for he has every thing to lose and nothing
to gain by its being discontinued. Be this as it may, consider­
ing that Sheik Abdoollah ben Ahmed is an independent Chief who
has, upon the whole, observed the conditions of the Treaty
entered into with the pacificatcd Arabs by the British Govern­
ment more carefully than any other power in the Gulf, I venture
to think that it would not be expedient to insist upon his
observing the boundary line, should he continue firm in his

objections to it, and hostilities actually break out. In this
case I shall take upon myself to suspend the execution of the
instructions issued to the Squadron regarding the limits laid
down, pending the further directions of the Government.
Residency in the Pn. Culf ) I have the honor to be etc.
)
Bushire 11th December ) Signed S. Hennell
)
1838 ) Resident in the Pn. Gulf

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