Page 23 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Persian and Turkish claims to Bahrain, 1870-1874 349

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delays which might endanger (he general peace of the
Gulf; but vihcncucr such a necessity shall arise a
full communication respecting it shall be made to the
Persian Government
It will be observed that the clause in the India
Ollicc letter repeating that it “ regarded the Sheikh
of Bahrein os an independent Sovereign ” was
onnttcd in this letter to the Persian Charge
(PAffaircs; but whether it was done so through
inadvertence, or intentionally, docs not appear.
The Persian Government had promised to do all in
its power t o suppress Piracy in the Persian Gulf; but
• India Office, September 21, 18G9. in September following another Idler was received
from the India Ollicc again calling attention to the
alfairs of Bahrein, and stating that it had been
found necessary to send further naval support to
To Mr. Thomson, No. 23; the Persian Gulf to the assistance of Colonel
Heptemher 23, 18G9. Polly; whereupon Mr. Thomson was instructed to
take an early opportunity of expressing to the
Persian Government the regret of the British
Government that, notwithstanding the assurances
which had been given, Persia seemed unable to
prevent Piracy in those waters.
Mr. 'I liomsoii, No. 81 ; In speaking on the subject to Mr. Thomson,
November 14, I8G9.
the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs admitted
that the Persian Government had not acquired
sufficient power or authority in that part of the
Gulf to enable them to repress acts of Piracy and to
maintain order, but he added that he hoped', before
long, the Shah’s authority would be fully established
at Bahrein; that Persia would be able to prevent
further disorder; that satisfaction would be given
to the British Government for any acts of which
they had to complain ; and in full redress being
afforded to all parties who had suffered loss through
recent events, and that, in the meanwhile. it would
not be considered necessary that British Authorities
should have recourse to measures of coercion in
that quarter.
Mr. Thomson then reported that a Royal Firman
had been issued recognizing Ali been Khalcefah as
Chief of Bahrein; but that before it reached him he
had been attacked and killed by his brother,
Mahomed been Khalcefah, and that the Firman
had accordingly been returned to the Shah, when
the name of the latter Chief was substituted for the
former. : : .
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