Page 228 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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115. In reply the Bombay Government
Ibid No. 034.
on tlio 10th May telegraphed:—
11 Magpie has been ordorcd from Maskat to Bushire to await instructions through Colonel Pally.
No ship Royal Navy now at Bombay. Clyde ordorcd to return here aud Hugh Rose remains
as Residency Steamer.”
116. On the 13th May the Bombay Government proposed .to order the
Dalhousie to Maskat, where they did not
Ibid No. 638.
think a vessel of war was needed as long as a
ship of the Bombay Marine was there. They proposed also to send the Bullfinch as
well as Magpie to Bushire to await instructions there. These proposals were
approved by the Government of India, and in the lettor of the 17 th May giving
general instructions to tbo Bombay Gov­
Ibid No. 646.
ernment with regard to the Expedition,
the Government of India wrote :—
r‘HiB Excellency in Council understands that, while tho Hugh Rose remains at Colonel Felly's
disposal as a Residency Steamer, the Bullfinch aud the Magpie have been ordered to Bushire
to await instructions. His Excellency in Council would wish instructions to be sent to the
Commanders of the Bullfinch and the Magpie, through Colonel Pelly, to cruise in the neigh­
bourhood of Bahrein, Kateef, and the ports at which it is believed the Turkish troops will
disembark, carefully to observe all that takes place at sea, and, as far as possible, obtain
intelligence of what takes place on land, and report events through Colonel Pelly as often as may
be convenient. Arrangements should be made that both vessels be not absent from the coast
at the same time ; if oae returns to Bushiro to report, the other should remaiu on the coast to
watch events.
“ The Commanders of the vessels should bo made fully aware of our relations with the
Bahrein aud the truoial Chiefs, and also with the assurances received from the Ottoman Porte;
and should it appear to the Officers Commanding that these relations and assurances have been,
or are about to be, evaded or violated by any party or parties, a special report of tho circums­
tances should at once be made."
117. By telegram dated 30th May, Colonel Pelly was directed to proceed
to Bahrein in the Hugh Bose accompanied
Sccret I, Not. 806-849, (No. 833).
by the Magpie and Bullfinch. He re-
plied on the 31st —
“ Nagpie reported cruising after slavors to southward of Maskat. Bullfinch left Maskat
for Gulf, but returned Maskat with supposed slaver jwas to start again ; neither vessel since
heard of. As before submitted, no vessel, naval or marine, at my disposal, since announcement
of Turkish Expedition two months ago, until Hugh Rose arrived Sunday. Have despatched
Assistant Resident in her to Bahrein with carefully prepared instructions. Will send required
communications to Chiefs by Native craft. Am doing my best, and trust much to past in­
fluence, but protraoted absence of vessels aud communications Arab coast misinterpreted and
liable to complicate matters.”
118. On this the Government of India
Ibid No. 835.
telegraphed to Commander Tucker at
Trinoomalie:—
“ Tell His Excellency {i.e,, tbe Naval Commander-in-Chief) that on 16th May Viceroy
ordered Bullfinch Bushire very special service. Ordered Magpie proceed thither quickly.
Find impossible communicate Magpie. Last thing heard of Bullfinch was had gono back to
Maskat with a' slaver. Magpie said cruising south Maskat. Search slaver. Serious incon­
venience and danger have arisen. Vicerey considers this breach understanding ; begs instruc­
tions may issue prohibiting vessels under hie orders from slaving. Cossack reported gono to
Cape, Government without service single vessel war.”
119. His Excellency, the late Viceroy, Lord Mayo noted on this :—
I Look into papers with Military Department, and see whether there is anything to
show that the vessels for which we pay £70,000 a year were intonded to bo employed in
slaving.”
120. Colonel Pelly was asked if he could
Ibid No. 636.
communicate with tho Bullfinch. He
replied on 8rd Juno :—
“ I telegraphed to Bullfinch and Magpie via Anguam, Gwadur, and Maskat. Bullfinch
replied from Bassadoro was leaving for Bahrein.