Page 22 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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*' In reply, ho was informed, in general torms, tlmt he was tho best judge of his own
interests; but that no connection or authority would bo received by tho British Government
ns an excuse for any proceedings bearing a prodatory character. Tho Sheikh then advorted to
tho very difficult dilemma into which he would bo. cast in tho event of Wahabis attacking
tho territories of tho Imain, and calling on him for his support against that Prince. To this
ho was answered, that his forming any connection prejudicial to His Highness would bo
oonsidered unfriendly by us, and it was in every point of view advisable that ho should not
adopt that line of conduct. The language held on this occasion was confirmed by the Governor
in Conncil, with a further intimation, that howover improbable it might bo that wo should aot
against the Wahabis so long as tln*y confined their conquests to the shore, it was still not
desit able that, we should bind ourselves to abstain from interposition, or hold out so groat an
encouragement to the invasion of tho Imam's territories as our avowed indillorenco would bo
likely to afford."
35. Tho following fivo or six years were occupied by Turki in reconstruct­
ing bis father’s kingdom, and in recovering one after another the provinces
formerly subject to Wahabi rule. At the same time lie endeavoured to
conciliate the Pasha of Egypt by the payment of a small annual tribute. In
1831 bis recovery of Basa and Katif so alarmed the Imam of Maskat, that
that Chief was fain to bo taken under his protection on the terms of acknow­
ledging his supremacy and paying an annual tribute. And thus the whole of
the Arabian Coast from Rns-ul-Hud to Koweit (with the exception of Abu-
thabi) became tributary to the Wahabis

VIIL—Overtures to British Government, 1831.
33. About the middle of the year 1831 a communication was made to the
Governor of Bombay by the Wahabi Chief, through Sheikh Rashid bin
Humid of Ajman, expressive of his desire to he upon the same intimate
footing as that formerly existing between the British Government and bis
ancestor Saud and " to have the treaty renewed which was made botween you
the British and Imam Saud’*. To this a reply in general but friendly terms
was transmitted through the Resident in the Persian Gulf.
37. With reference to this allusion to a Treaty, the Persian Secretary
reported that only two documents could bo found on the records relating to our
intercourse with the Wahabis, viz., those quoted in paragraphs 25 and 28
supra. In acknowledging the communication last received, tho Honourable
Hr. Romer thus addressed tho Wahabi Chief: —
M Your communication dated the 25th of Jumadyooluwul, informing me that by the
, „ , appointment of tho ltuler of Events you had
Seply of tis Bombay Ooverntntnt. arrived at the dignity of Chief of the Wahabi
sect has reached my hands, and given me the gratification which friends feel whon they
receive intelligence from friends.
“Your disposition to a friendly understanding is met with reciprocal feeling, and tho
terms of amity which existed between this Government and your great ancestor, Imam Saud,
will still remain in force and I cherish hopes will never be broken or infringed. I send this
letter by the hands of your faithful dependant, Esa bin Hassan, to express the 63me

IX- (1) Wahabi invasion of Oman, (2) views of the Government, of
India as to the claims of. Maskaton the British Government,
i 833-34.
88. In 1833, tho influence of the Wahabis again1 became predominant in
Oman, and at the invitation of most of the tribes, they marched an army into
the province. The Imam finding the integrity of his dominions seriously
menaced, considered it his best policy to form a closer connection with the
Wahabi Chief. It was accordingly agreed by him to pay a tribute of 5,000
German crowns per annum to the Wahabi Chief, that each should hold
possession of his own coast according to tho limits then existing—the Imam’s
extending to Jalaam, and tho Wahabi’s to Katif; and further an engagement
was entered into, binding them reciprocally to assist in putting down any rebel­
lions arising in their respective territories.
39. On these circumstances being reported to tho Bombay Government, the
question arose as to whether tho subversion of the power of tho Imam of Maakat
would be adverse to British interests in the Gulf, and whether tho Imam had
not a claim on the British Government for protection. The question having
• Mr. Deputy Secretary Trcvtij-n'i later, dated boon referred to Calcutta, the Supreme
lit February ib34. Government • intimated