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389. The Turkish authorities wore addressed and sent strong and positive
orders to tlio Mutasarriff of Nejd to enquire into the fresh casos of piracy.
300. Tho Government of India requested
Political A., Aogoet 1860, No. 34.
the Political Agent, Turkish Arabia, to
report tho result of these orders.
391. On the 9th December tho Resident in tlio Persian Gulf telegraphed
Nnsir*bin -Mobarik’a nttcrapl to attack Bahrein. that a body of Arabs undor Nasir bin-Mo-
Socrot, January 1881, No. 47. bank bad assembled on the mainland op­
posite Bahrein, and were watching for an opportunity to attack tho island. Pre­
parations were made for sending a vessel of war to tho spot, but the raid failed
owing to tlie want of boats.
392. The orders issued by the Yali of Baghdad to tho Mutasarriff of Nejd,
regarding the suppression of piracies had
Political A., January 1881, Nos. 70*77.
no effect whatever, and from subsequent
correspondence with the Political Agent, Turkish Arabia, and with tho Resident
in the Gulf, it appeared that the Turkish vessel Arkadi had not been engaged
on any duty connected with the arrest of Zaid-bin-Mahomcd and other pirates,
as alleged by the Turkish authorities.
393. In December 1880 Colonel Ross forwarded by post some further parti­
culars of Nasir-bin-Mobarik’s attempted
Political A., January 1881, Noe. 141*157.
attack on Bahrein. Tho Arabs with him
were said to belong to tlio Munasir, BeniHajir, and Al-Murrah tribes, and were
about 000 in number. They assembled near Ruais and Abu’l Dhuloof, whence
they intended to cross over to Bahrein, but were prevented by the inhabitants
who refused to lend them their boats.
3Gln In January 1881 Colonel Ross forwarded copies of letters received
from Nisir-bin-iMubarik and Sheikh
Socrct, Juno 1881, No. 10.
Jassim-bin-Mahomed Thani, Chief of Bidaa,
writteu after the failure of the attack on Bahrein. Nasir-bin-Mobarik asked
for the support and assistance of tlio British Government, and promised to act in
accordance with their wishes, lie also announced his intention of crossing over
to Bahrein, as his family, friends, and property were there. Colonel Ross, in
reply, informed him that any hostile descent on Bahrein by him or auy other
person would bo opposed and punished.
395. Jassim-bin-Thnni asked Colonel Ross toaotas mediator to make up the
quarrel between Nasir-bin-Mobarik and Sheikh Esau, to which Colonel Ross
replied that Nasir’s right to property in Bahrein was not recognized, and that
any allowance given him by the Bahrein Government would be, on condition of
his abandoning his evil designs and selecting an approved residence, other than
Katar.
396. From Nasir-bin-Mobarik’s letter is seernod probable that he would
bofore long renew bis attack on Bahrein.
397. In March 1881 the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia forwarded a
copy of a letter from the Vali of Baghdad', in which ho roported that he had
ascertained from the Mutasarriff of Nejd that no piracy or plunder of vessels had
been committed by Zaid-bin-Mahomed, and that perfect tranquillity and security
prevailed on the Katar coast by sea and land.
398. From Colonel Ross’ letters Nos. 25,29 and 38 of tho 19th and 26th Feb­
Jaulm uin Mahomed, Oovcrnor of Bidaa. ruary and 11th Maroh it appeared that
Secret, June 1881, Nos. 15-24. since tho failure of his raid Nasir-bin-Mo-
bnrik had been living in Turkish territory at Katar, and Colonel Ross had hold
Jassim-bin-Mahomed, the Governor of Bidaa, responsible for his conduct.
Jassim, however, in the Resident’s opinion had been all the time secretly assist­
ing Nasir in his projects for rocoveriug his possessions in Bahrein, and had
recently attempted to got rid of his responsibility on the ground that Nasir had
left his*jurisdiction, and was supported by Bedouin Arabs. The Resident, how­
ever, informed Jasim that lie must still hold him responsible for the conduct of
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