Page 30 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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bombarded Demnum, a place which, as lying within the territory of *' Feysal
Beg, the Kaunmakam of Nojd,” was. “ part, of the hereditary dominions of the
Sultan.” To which Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad replied
that we had hitherto “ always maintained direct relations with Amir Pcysal
as well as with all the Chiefs and Principalities situated on the shores of the
Persian Gulf”; that our pacific policy in the Gulf was well known, and
that in the prosecution of that policy we " had never acknowledged the autho­
rity or jurisdiction of any other State—an authority and jurisdiction moreover
which assuredly the Porte neither docs exercise nor has ever exeroisod in that
quarter.” In reporting this correspondence to Her Britannic Majesty’s Am­
bassador at Constantinople the Consul-General wrote as follows:—
“ Although it may not bo denied that, since the Egyptian invasion of Ncjd in 1830-40,
Amir Feysal has remained tributary to the Turkish authorities of Mecca, his tribute being
regarded probably as an offering to the lioad of the religion it is certain that the Porte has
never exercised any jurisdiction, or attempted to extend its authority, over that country.
Were it otherwise, were a Turkish administration established capable of controlling the
province, restraining the Wahabis and their dependants from the piratical practices for which
they woro once 60 notorious, and finally of preventing or giving satisfaction for any breach of
international law, such a stalo of things might bo as conducive to good order, as it would be
certainly less burdensome to the British Government than the maritime surveillance, which,
in the internets of commerce, the British Go\erment is now compelled to maintain in the
Persian Gulf. But in point of fact, the Porte has not the power to punish or coerce its tribu­
tary ; not a single Turkish functionary exists in the country; and to judge from my own
experience of the duties of the British Resident in th* Persian Gulf, I feel assured that, were
the relations of that officer with the Amir of Nejd to be di.-turbed in a manuer to withdraw
the Wahabi Coast from his immediate supervision, the effect must be highly prejudicial to
the polioy which has hitherto obtained under the orders and sanction of Her Majesty's Indian
Government in that quarter.”
68. In April 18C2 fcho Resident reported that he was making another and a
final effort to effect a peaceable settlement between Amir Peysal and the
Chief of Bahrein, but that he much feared open war between the two parties
was inevitable.

XXI-—(1) Differences between the Sultan of Maskat. (2) Amir of
Nejd, 1864-1865.
69. Towards the close of 1864, the Chief of Rostock (whose family had
been dispossessed of Sohar in 1849) displayed a hostile spirit towards the
Sultan of Maskat and proposed to transfor his allegiance to the Wahabi Chief
• Letter No. 277, dated the 3rd Docember uuder certain conditions of tribute payment.
1864. Colonel Disbrowo reported to Government
on the 3rd December 1864, that the Sultan had engaged in an expedition
against this Chief, but that it had accomplished little, owing to the inter­
ference of one of the Wahabi Amir’s lieutenants.
70. In another letter! written on the same day Colonel Disbrowo submit­
t No. 279, dated the 3rd December 1864. ted an application from Ilis Highness
Syud Thoweyni, for a supply of ammu­
nition, etc., and while pointing out that both the Maskat and Wahabi States
were on terms of amity with the British Government, he observed :—
“Even when His Highness the Sultan of Maskat has been on unfriendly relations "witli
Wahabi authorties, His Highness has always, during ray servico in the Persian Gulf,
received the sympathies of the British Government through its representatives in the Gulf.
\\ ahabi encroachments are essentially noxious and require discouragement ”.
71. Subsequently, the Sultan of Maskat addressed the Bombay. Govern­
ment confirming the intelligence which bad already been communicated by
Colonel Disbrowe, adding that lie had written to the Wnliabi Amir, and
suggested that the differences which had arisen, in consequence of the proceed­
ings of his Lieutenant Suderi, should be decided by the British Resident in the
Persian Gulf.
72. Colonel Pelly being then on the Arab Coast was requested to *eP°rt
fully on the differences between the Sultan of Maskat and the Wahabi Uner,
and to employ his good offices if mediation woro of any use, but “ to let the