Page 26 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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It was pointed out that Feyaal’q proceedings might ultimately endanger our
relations with Oman and the maritime Arab Chiefs, and so tend to resumption
of piracy. And the lettor concluded as follows :—
u It does not thereforo appear to the Govornor in Council unworthy of consideration
,
whether tho Resident in the Persian Gulf should not at onco endeavour to effect an arrange­
ment with Amir Feysal, ratifying and securing existing engagements at sea. In other
words, that, ns tho prico of forbearance on tho part of the British Government, this Chiof
should become a party to its maritime engagements, whereby commercial interests may be
secured.
" A6 the not improbable event of the Wahabi Ruler encroaching on tho possessions of
His Highness the Imam of Mask at, an olJ ally of the British Government, Is a coutingenoy
which ought to l»o provided for, this Government is desirous of being favoured with tho
sentiments of the Right Hon'ble the Governor General in Council on this point.''
65. No offioial reply was issued to this application, but tho view adopted by
the Government of India was evidently that suggested in Lord Hardinge’s brief
remark on tho back of tho letter, viz.,—“ No case for interference has arisen."
66. Early in the year 1845 Syud-bin-Mutluk came to Beraymi from Nejd
and at once all tho neighbouring Arab tribes, inspired perhaps as much by fear
of Wahabi arms as sympathy with AValmbi tents, vied with each other in tender­
ing their allegiance to Eeysal’s representative. Elated with greater success than
he had expected, Syud-bin-Mutluk ravaged the territories of the Sohar Chief,
seized the fort of Mujees, butchering all its garrison, and compelled the Chief
to consent to a very heavy tribute. lie at tho same time demauded a large
tribute from Maskat, and was preparing to enforce tho request by invasion.
At this juncture the Bombay Government again addressed the Government
of India, enquiring what was to be dono if the Imam asked for our help against
the Wahabis. The Government of India replied on May 6th in the following
terms :—
"It would appear that Feysal-bin-Turki, in whoso name and on whoBC behalf the present
expedition of Syud bin-Mutluk has been undertaken, has not hitherto don# more than
endeavour to re-establish the Wahabi supremacy as it existed in the time of his father, Torki-
bin-Saud, before the Egyptian aggression reduced the Wahabi power and that it is the
opinion of Major Hennel iliut our interests with respect to tho maritime Arabs are likely to
suffer by Syud-bin-Mutluk’s proceedings.
If therefore the mere establishment of the Wahabi power in Oman and tho reception
of the willing allegiance of the maritime Chiefs whom on a former occasion wo took under our
protection and encouraged to re.-istencc were to be the only result of the present expedition of
Syud-bin* Uutluk, the Governor General in Council would see no occasion to modify the opinion
given iu the letter from this office of 7th October 1818, that our interference is not called for;
but if it appear to be the purpose of Feysal-bin-Turki to extend the Wahabi supremacy
beyond former limits and to encroach upon the possessions of our ally, the Imam of Ma-kafc, or
if the result of these proceedings are found detrimental to our relations with the maritime Arabs
and our measures for the suppression of piracy, a case for our interference will, in the opinion «>£
the Governor General in Council, arise, and it may be perhaps desirable in such case for you to
instruct the local authorities to declare to Fuysal-bin-Turki that our forbearanco, from which
he may have hitherto taken some encouragement, will he extended no further, and that we can­
not countenance or allow wanton aggression on tho territories of our ancient ally.
The Governor General in Council is disposed to think that tho explicit expression of our
feelings on this subject will bo sufficient to cause tho Wahabi Chief to desist from active
operations, should they be contemplated, against the Maskat district, or that, at any rate, a
demonstration by 6ea by the force now in the Gulf will produce the desired effect. On this
subject the local Government of Bombay will bo better able to form a judgment than the
Governor General, in Council.
The Governor General in Council, however, wishes it to bo understood that he would not,
on the one hand, commit the Government at the present moment to a line of policy wbic
would be likely to involve the necessity of detaching troopUo the Gulf, nor would ho, on the
other, make to the Wahabi Chief or his agent Syud-biu-Mutluk a threat which he would not
be prepared fully to carry out.
If therefore the Bombay Government consider that a mere declaration of our views or naval
operations alone will in all probability effect what is desired, the Governor General in Gouncu
authorizes the Bombay Government to instruct tho local authorities accordingly; but it on
this subject His Honor in Council entertains doubt, ho is requested to refor to us again wi •
full exposition of the views and opinions of the Bombay Government for tho further instruction*
of the Government of India”.