Page 38 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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" These subjects wero imprisoned, deprived of food and water, and were ordered to mv a
ransom in 100 dollars each. These British Indian subjects were not even allowed to dispo^o
of their murdered companion’s corpse. These British Indian subjeots thus killed or plundered
tyorc peacefully residing in the port of Sur, iu the dominions of Ilis Highness tho Sultau of
Maskat.
,(I-have now to request that your Highness first send to mo on board II. M’s. S. High-
Jlyer lying between Demaum and Bahrein, a full and written apology for tho wanton
outrages ou tho part of your dependents.
. 2ndly. That the messenger who brings that apology shall bring with him also the sum
of 27,700 dollars being tho amount ascertained to have been plundered from tho said British
Indian subjects.”
_ “ Srdly. That your Highnoss give at the same time solemn written assurances that no
similar outrages and butchery shall in future take place.”
u This letter will bo handed to your Highness’s Governor of Khatif, who will bo request­
ed to pass a receipt for the same, and seventeen days will be allowed for the letter to reach
your Highness, and for vour Highness to return a reply.
” If at the-expiration of seventeen days the required satisfaction is not given by your
Highness, the British ships of war will destroy tho forts ou your seaboard, and confiscate your
Highness’s craft there lying.
'* Only this moment it ha9 como to ray knowledge that your Highness’s troops have
attacked the fort of Shaim in the Muskat territories, and driven the British Indian subjects
there residing into the sea. One of theso has polished iu tho 6urf, the others have come on
board to complain.”
104. Tho Highflyer left Soliar on the same day and anchored in the
outer harbour of Bahrein on the 13th January, to enable the Native Agent to
visit Khatif and deliver the letter for the Amir of the Wahabis. This duty
accomplished, the Highflyer sailed on the 13th to Abu-Thabe, and then
cruised along the Pirate Coast, calling at the principal ports in her course.
On'arrival at Ajman, Captain Pasley in compliance with a suggestion communi­
cated to him by tho Resident before he left Sohar, proceeded to destroy a
Wahabi tower which dominated that.part of the coast. This operation was
judiciously carried out by Captain Pasloy without any loss of life to the garri­
son. On the 23rd January, the High flyer anchored at Elphinstone inlet, which
Oolonel Pelly had named as a rendezvous. A conference was held on the 25th
by the Resident and Captain Pasley, when it was explained by Colonel Pelly
that he was unable to accompany the Highflyer in the Residency steamer to
Khatif, as the state of affairs at Bereymi, Bunder Abbas and Sur, required
his presence near tho Sultan. He added a request that Captain Pasley would,
if practicable, destroy two Wahabi war-buggalows which wero said to be in
the creeks near Khatif.
105. Tho Highflyer left Elphinstone inlot on the 28th January, and
Captain Pasley's subsequent proceedings will bo best described in his own
words
u I arrived off Khatif on the 30th, and on the Native Agent's return from the town, be
told me there was no answer from the Chief of the Wahabis ; that tho Sbeikh (or Governor
of Khatif) said he had no money for me, and requested me to wait twelve days, and- he
would be sent to Head-Quarters for an answer.
“ On the 2nd, I sent the boats armed to Khatif, in charge of Lieutenant Fellowes,
with orders to bring out all the Wahabi Dhows that might be in the harbour, and to destroy
the two war-buggalows and a small fort called Burj Bullif which commands tho boat channel
to’Khatif, which service he accomplished satisfactorily, but there being only one \>ababi
Dhow in the harbour, and she not being worth removing, she was destroyed.
u On the 3rd February, I sent the boats in charge of Lieutenant Long, with orders
destroy, if possible, the fort of Demaum which is said to command the boat channel to Khatif,
it being a little past high water, he was unablo to get the boom boats near enough to be o
U66 ; he, therefore, took the cutters, with as many men as they could hold from tho
aod Pinnace, and materials for blowing up tho tower : he, however, could not get within
Yards of tho beach, when he waded on shore and succeeded in effecting an entrance to the ower,
but finding the garrison much stronger than he anticipated, (tho Nativo Agent having o
me twelve men) and being unable to gain the inner wall, lie was obliged to retreat wi i,
regret to say, the loss of tbreo men killed, and two officers, and three men wounded. I cooioae
a oopy of Licutonaut Long’s report.