Page 12 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

338
Records of Bahrain
• . ."^6. ..0-.
'A • *. ’
thcm>36lyc&!if^..th6 supistridey of.-the Island;’'
. ?n!nd;^ /0bwi)cV^ii8fe;; one W the discomfited
Sheikhs,• Abdoolnh,'; presented himself at Bushirc,
and obtained from one of the principal priests of
that town a letter, in which he promised him,
on the part of the Governor of Fare, the aid of a
considerable body of Persian troops. Colonel Shcil
having obtained a copy of this letter, showed it to
the Persian Prime Minister, who remarked that
the writil* had no authority to interfere in the
nflbirs of Government, and that lie would reprove
him for his presumption ; but his Excellency added
that Bahrein belonged by right to Persia, and
that the Shah was resolved to regain possession
of the Island' when other affairs of importance
wcr6' disposed of.
In a letter addressed by the Persian Prime
Minister to the Governor of Pars about this time,
allusion was made to Bahrein as " one of the
Islands of Fare.”
The British Resident in the Persian Gulf was,
however, instructed by the Governor of India to
resist by force any attempt of the Persian Govern­
ment to establish troops on the Island of Bahrein.
An Instruction was shortly afterwards addressed
to Colonel Shcil desiring him to inform the Persian r« Colonel Shell, No. 23 ;
August 21, 1844.
Minister that Her Majcsty’6 Government had heard
with regret that it was reported to be in the con­
templation of the Government of the Shah to take
part in the disputes respedting the Government of
Bahrein; that such a proceeding would be viewed
with much jealousy by the British Government in
India; that, unless the right of Persia to interfere
in the matter was beyond dispute, any interference
on her part might lead to unpleasant discussions
with ’England ; for that, although Her Majesty’s.
Government did not dispute the right of Persia as
an independent Power • to adopt any line of
policy not inconsistent with its engagements to
foreign states, which she might think advantageous
to herself, they claimed for themselves a corrcs-
ponding right to judge and act in such matters as
they might think fit.'•
Colonel Shcil was further informed that, unless
Persia could shew that she had a clear and indis­
putable right .to the Sovereignty of Bahrein; that
she had. exercised it..without Interruption under