Page 17 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 343

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was nmdo by him to " Bahrein and the coasts ” as.
being "under Ilis Highness’ control/’ and to the
steps which had been taken by tho British autho-
• l’itics to preserve the peace of "His Highness’
territories.”
India Office, February II, 1861. In December, I860, the Bombay Government
forwarded to the India Office a resolution which it
had drawn up, and in which an opinion was ex­
pressed that " Bahrein should be regarded as
independent, and as subject neither to Turkey nor
To India Office, Fobruary 12, Persiaand these views were coincided in by tl)c
1861.
India Officc_aod.Forcign-Ofiioc.
India Office, February 8, 1862.
In 1861 certain aggressive acts were cdinnuttcd
by the Sheikh of Bahrein against the Walmbccs.
The Chief of Bahrein blockaded the Wahabee
ports, and harassed the trade and pearl fisheries of
Damaun and Katccf.
The British Political Agent in the Persian Gulf
(Captain Felix Jones) remonstrated against these
proceedings, and, as they were unheeded, a British
squadron was ordered to assemble at Bahrein.
Still the Sheikh defied the power of England to
compel him to desist, being, it was said, secretly
instigated by Persian agents, who promised him the
support of French ships.
The British Commodore was thereupon desired
by the Resident to employ force, and he at once
"Sinic Paper*,'* vol. Ivi, j». H02. seized two of the Sheikh’s war-vessels, upon which
the .Sheikh gave in, and on the 31st May, 1861, he
entered into the following " Friendly Convention
with Sheikh Mahomed bin Khalccfah, Independent
llulcr of Bahrein : ”—
" Considering the tribe disorders which arise and
j arc perpetuated from maritime .aggressions in the
; Persian Gulf,' I, Sheikh Mahomed Bin Ithulecfn,
• Independent^Ruler of Bahrein, on my own part and
'• on that of my heirs and successors, in the presence
1 of the Chiefs and elders who arc witnesses to this
\
document, do subscribe and agree to a perpetual
Treaty of Peace and FricndslTip with the British
(Government, having for its object the advance­
ment of trade and the security of all classes of
)coplc navigating or residing upon the coasts of .
.his sea.
" Article I. I recognize as valid and in force
ill former Treaties and Conventions agreed to
between the Chiefs of Bahrein and the British