Page 56 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

382 Records of Bahrain

U) proyont it. So cortorn docs ho fcol oni this point that when I asked if it would
ho necessary to lmvo a guard boat at night to intercept and examino any buf'ru-
rahs entering tho harbour, ho replied .hq did not Hunk it would, ltis own slate-
mont about tho Bom Hajir is that thcro is about 300 men under Hamad bin
Abdulla and Salman bin Ahmed at present collected at El Biddnh, and that
they havo applied to Mahomed bin Jnssim and Mahomed bin Syud BookaNvarrnh
for boatfl to couvoy them hero. Their* demands havo not boon complied with
by the Chief of Qultur, who is afraid of-ms making reprisals on his boats should
lie do so, but his son, Jnssim bin Mahomed, though oponly discountenancing
their wish to embark against Bahrein,-has hinted to them that by proceeding
by land to Ojair tlicir object might bo 'easily accomplished thence, boats being
very numerous at that port. Tho Bcui Hajir expect to bo supported by Nasir
bin Mobarik, who is at present at Lahsa, but lie docs not know tho number of
his followers.
It is his belief that tho raid would, only ho made for the sake of pluudcr,
and if successful, they would immediately return to the mainland.
This corresponds with the information givon me by tho News Agent hero.
I am inclined to believe tho actual danger has been considerably magnified by
tho fears of tho people, and that the bunynhs have not been backward in spread­
ing the panic. I have offered, if Sheikty Esau considers it would he of any use,
to go down to Ojair to show.the ship, and, if possible, return by tho caslcrn side
of tho island; also to communicalo with tho Chief of Lahsa, and request him
to do all in his power to prevent embarkation from the sea-board under his
control. On this point, however, you will bo tho best judge as to whether instruc­
tions should bo Bent him through tho Baghdad authorities or not. I do not unti-
cipato any difficulties arising, and trust*all will go on quietly to tho oud of tho
poarl fishery, wlion Sheikh Esau thiuks ho will bo ahlo to mauago for himself,
until that time the presence of ono vessel will be ail that is required. I will
kcop you informed by every opportunity of any matter of importance that
may arise.

EncloBuro No. 7.
No. 1030-200, dated Buahirc, 12th September 1374.
From—Ilcr Britannic Majeuty's Folilical ltcsidont in tho Persian Gulf,
To—Sccrctury to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
Tun following report is in continuation of my letter No. 100G-206, dated
3rd September 187‘i>, on the affairs of Bahrein. »
2. In paragraph 13 of tho abovo letter I stated that from tho roport of
tho Commandor of tho Hugh Rose, dated 24»th August, it appeared that Sheikh
Esau, Chief of Bahrein, had no further apprehousions of attack from tho
mainland.
3. On the 2Glh August, however, •intelligence reached Bahrein that the
Beni Hajir wore again astir, aud had succeeded iu obtaining three boats at LI
Biddab, iu which a portion of tho tribo embarked aud proceeded to . Klior
Shnjoyj, and it was bclioYcd that it was tho plan of tho Bedouins to cross to
Bahrein suddonly.
4,. A fresh panio occurred in Bnlirpin, and a number of armed mou wore
assembled for dofoneq.
D. Captain Oampboil, Commanding Hor Majesty’s Hugh Rose, B.M.,
on bearing tlio roport of tho Beni Hajir having embarked in boats, imme­
diately consulted with Slioikb Esau, and after taking moasurcs to provent ti
town of'Manamab' being* surprised during bis absouco, proceeded on the JU
tocruizo off- Klior Sliaioyj. On reaching tho latter place it was d“COVcrc
.that tho Boni Hajir .had abandoned tho boats and proceeded overland toward
tho Eort of Zobarah.
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