Page 20 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

8
2G-A. But the Supremo Government answered the Imam that it was un-
necessary to regulate his reply to any overtures on the part of the Wahabis by
reference to his connection with the British Government, which had always con-
sidered itself to ho at peace with that tribe, the late co-operation with the Imam
not having been in prosecution of war against the Wahabis generally, but mcro-
]y for the extirpation of the pirates, whose augmented power and audacity had
ondangerod the security of his own dominions, as well as interrupted tho
commorco and navigation of tho Gulf; that tho British Government, therefore,
was no further interested in the contost betweon him and tho Wahabis than
it was solicitous for the welfare and prosperity of the Imam. Under tho
influence of that solicitude, and a just sense of the benofitsand blessings of a
state of peace, it was recommended to tho Imam to grant tho terms of pacifi­
cation solicited by tho Wahabis if consistent with tho honour and security
of the State of Maskat.
VL—First Egyptian invasion of Nejd, 1814—1819.

27. The relief, however, which we woro indisposed to afford came at this
Subversion o/t\e Wahabi pouer iy the Turkish tinio to tho Imam indirectly, and from
Government. an unexpected quarter, namely, from
Egypt. Soon after the appointment of Mahomed Ali as Pasha of Egypt in
1813, his energetic and skilful character made its influence felt throughout
his Pashalic. He directed early attention to the Hcjaz, which was then
held by ono of the sons of the Wahabi Chief and entering that province at
the head of a large force he compelled the Wahabis to vacate Jeddah
and Mecca, and retire within their own frontiers. Alarmed at the determined
attitude taken up by the Turkish Government, tho Wahabi Chief sought
to conciliate the friendship of the different powers in the Persian Gulf. He
made overtures at first to Persia, and then to the Resident in the Persian
Gulf, to form a connection with the British Government of mutual amity
and friendship which might be beneficial to both States, and acknowledging the
superiority of the British over every other natiou at sea, proposed that tho
ports of each State should be open to each other, and a free and unmolested
trade carried on by their subjects. The Supremo Government, to whom these
proposals were submitted, thought it undesirable at that moment to enter into
any regular engagement with the Wahabis even of a commercial character,
but considered it politic “ to maintain a friendly intercourse with the Wah­
habi Chief, and endeavour by cordial and conciliatory conduct to confirm
the amicable disposition which he appeared to entertain towards the British
Government.’* (Letter dated 18th February 1814.)

28. An Envoy was about the same time deputed by the Wahabi Chieftain
Visit of a Wahabi Envoy to Maskat—A. D, to Maskat, who announced bis arrival
J813. at that place to the Bombay Govern­
ment, with the object of restoring “ the relations of amity between the two
powers.*’ In reply Sir Evan Nepean wrote—
“ Entertaining, as I have always done, tho most friendly disposition towards your master
I conceived it my dnty, even previously to the receipt of your letter, to instruct Mr. Bruce, the
BrilUh Resident at Bushiro, to communicate with His Highness Saud bin Abdul Aziz, and to
establish such an amicable intercourse with him as cannot fail to be equally advantageous to
both countries, as well as for the general benefit of their respective neighbours, and it is with
feelings of particular satisfaction I have observed your Excellency has stated that a correspond­
ing desire is sincerely entertained by His Highness Saud bin Abdul Aziz, and I shall, there­
fore, look forward with confidence to the speedy attainment of our reciprocal wishes.
29. The Wahabi Chief Saud died in 1814, and wa9 succeeded by his son
Abdullah, who directed his eflorts to
Death of Saud, the Wahabi Chief—A.D. IBM. ^ autlwrity 0V0r the SUr-
rounding Arab tribes.
30. In 1819 tho Turks under Ibrahim Pasha, following up their successes
Fall of tho Wahabi Capital of Deriah—A. D. against tho Wahabis, advanced towards
1819. their capital of Deriah, which they