Page 15 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 341

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any further apprehensions on the subject, ami
if. the Bahrein. Chief was really ,an independent
Ruler, the heat course would be to make with him a
Treaty of alliance which would secure his inde­
pendence and his friendly connection with England.
But the British Rcsidcht, Major Ilcnncll, deemed
med it inexpedient that the British Government
% • •
should involve itself in the embarrassments likely
to arise from a closer alliance with Bahrein *, and
’ V' '
the Secret Committee of the East India Company
considered that Major* Ilcnncll 'fhad exercised a
wise discretion in not taking any step for the
negotiation of a new Treaty with Bahrein.”
To Admiralty, December 2, 1847. Shortly after this tho Ruler of Bahrein made an
(Turkey.)
application to the Indian Government for protec­
tion against an apprehended attack from some
fugitives from his dominions who had established
themselves on the Island Kccru, belonging to
Persia; and Lord Palmerston informed the Admi­
ralty and India Board that he was of opinion that
such protection should be afforded by the British
naval force in the Indian seas.
The Persian Government, however, objected to
the British interference in the affairs of Bahrein ;
Colonel Farrant, No. 15 : whereupon Colonel Farrant informed them that the
February 17, 1848.
British Government were unable to recognize as valid
Colonel Farrant, No. 11 ; the claims advanced by Persia to the Sovereignty
May 2, 1848.
of Bahrein; and his conduct in so doing was
approved.
Colonel Farrant, No. 87 ; In the same year, the Chief of Bahrein made
May 23, 1848.
a proposition to place himself under the protection
To Colonel Farrant, No. 27 ;
August l, 1848. of the British Government, but the proposal was
not listened to.
Subsequently, however, the British Government,
having received information that the Sheikh of
To India Hoard, January 24, Bahrein was desirous of placing himself under
1851.
To Sir Stratford Canning, No. 40; Turkish protection, sent instructions to Sir Strat­
February 12, 1851. ford Canning to inform the Turkish Ministers that
Her Majesty’s Government' could int acknowledge
nor acquiesce in any such arrangement, seeing'that A
the Government of British India had had relations
with Bahrein as an Independent State, and had
concluded with it certain Treaties, namely, one in i
1820 for the suppression of Piracy, and one in 1847 I
for the prohibition of the .exportation of slaves;
and that the British Government must object to
any arrangement which could transfer Bahrein to
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