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398 Records of Bahrain
No. 6)2, daUd 17th Ramadlinn 1201=20lh October 1874.’
l'rom Lip.ut.-Coi.. E. C. Ross, Her Britannic M.’s l’oltl. Resident, Persian Gulf,
To—NA8in-niN-MonAnF.K, Gutter.
Youn communication dated lias been delivered to me.
I declino to respoud further tlian to warn you that any attempts at aggres
sion against Bahrein will meet with the active opposition of the British
Government.
Enclosuro No. C.
No. 201 OP., dated Port William, 30th November 1874.
l'rom—P. IIenvey, Esq., Offg. Under-Secy, to tho Govt, of India, Foreign Dept.,
ft° Lieut.-Coi.. 15. C. Ross; Her liritjmnic M.’s Political Resident, Persian Gulf.
With reference to your letter No. 1203-2C0, dated 31st October 1874, I am
directed to state that tho Governor-General in Council outiraly approves of tho
letter which you have addressed to Nasir-hin-Mobarck al-Khalccfuh, warning
him that any attempt at aggression against Bahrein will ho actively opposed by
tho British Government.
No. 2G1GP.
Cory of the above forwarded to tho Government of Bombay for inform
ation.
Enoloauro No. 7.
No. 1231-207, dated on board II. M.’s Gun-boat Hugh Hose off Lingab, 10th November 1874.
Prom—Lieut.-Coi.. E. C. Ross, Her Britannic M.’s Poltl. Resident, Persian Gulf,
To—C. U. Aitchisoh, K6q.# C.S.I., Secy, to the Govt, of India, Foreign Dept.
Ha.vinq left Bushiro in the ltcsidcncy Gun-boat Hugh Rose on tho 2nd
instaut, I proceeded to Bahrein, where I remained from the 4th to the 7th, aud
havo now the honor to submit tho following report on the aftairs of that chief-
dom and neighbouring territory for the information of JLIis Excellency the.
Viceroy aud Governor-General of India in Council.
2. I ascertained personally from Sheikh Esau that his chief auxicty at
presont is on account of tho presence of his rolativc Nnsir-biu-Mobarok on
tho Gutter Coast. Ho fears lest that Chief should bo assisted by tho Chief of
Ei-Bidda and by the Gutter people goucrally in undertaking oporations with a
view of ovontually attacking Babreiu. Sheikh Esau in dwelling on the danger
to bus Government from tho propinquity of Nasir-biu-Mobarok, oxpressod his
dosiro that 1 should take steps to prevent tho Gutlor Chief harbouriu" him or
assisting him in any operations against Zobarah by land or sea. I informed
tho Chief that I could not undertake to iutorfero except to repress movements
by sea. Tho Chief of Bahrein being apprehensive of an attack on his allies,
and as ho considers subjects who hold tho fort of Zobarah, asked whether lie
would bo allowed to rciuforco the garrison of that place which lie considers a
dcpoudcncy of Bahrein. Sheikh Esau necessarily relies much on tho Naccui
tribe of Zobarah, who camo to bis aid iu his lato dangers, aud if bo were to bo
deprived of tboir support, his means of dcfcnco would bo greatly weakened.
A refusal on bis part to aid the Nriccnr garrison of Zobaruh if attacked by
other Arab tribes of Gutter would undoubtedly lose the friendship of tlmt
tribo for Sheikh'Esauv. ;
.3. My-reply..’to. th.o Chief was. to tho effect that I would as before advise
him aa far as pos6iblo to keep free of the feuds on the mainland. Hint as
regards ’succouring Zobarah, X would not ’intcrfcro with tho despatch of rcin-
forccmonts as a purely defensivo mcasuro; but that it was for the Chief jumse
to judge as-to tho necessity • for, or 'cxpcdicncy of, the mcasuro. 1 likcuis
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