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he Bent tho only man at his disposal, who could be of any use, and he must have put himself
to much inconvenicnco in dispensing with the Native Agent's attendance on himself at that
particular moment.”
109. These proceedings appearod to the Bombay Government to illustrate
very forcibly a necessity which was not felt while the Indian Navy existed,
and occasion was taken to submit to the Governor General in Council an ex
pression of their views as to tho best means of supplying tins want by provid
ing a class of officers possessing local experience to aid Her Majesty’s Naval
Forces when employed in the Persian Gulf, and other similar regions.
110. While these proceedings were under consideration a telegram, dated
Mussendom, tho 21st February, was rccoived from Colonel Pelly, announcing
Lieutenant-Colonel Polly's Mport to Government. tho death of His HighnOsS^ Syud TllO-
No. 17, dutud tho Htu March 16G6, with accom- weyni. After the ILighjltier s departure
panimenta. from the Gulf, Colonel Pelly remained at
Mussendom in hourly expectation of intelligence that the Sultan had taken
Bereymi when a boat arrived from Maskat with letters from the local Agont,
and from Syud Saulem, the eldest son of the Sultan, informing him that Syud
Thoweyni was dead, that Syud Saulem had succeeded, and that the latter
desired to conduct his government under the Resident’s counsel, and requested
his presence at Maskat.
XXVI — The Amir of Nejd comes to terms, 1866.
111. The murder of Syud Thoweyni in February 1866, frustrated the
operations projected by him for the capture ef Beraymi. On the other hand
on Amir Feysal’s death about October 1865, his successor Abdullah was
anxious to make peace with the British. The spring of action of this move
was probably his fear of his brother Saud’s intrigues against his power. So
we find him sending making offers of peace to the British Resident early in
1866. On 20th Fobruary the Resident telegraphed from Mussendom as
follows:—
" I have just received the following letter dated 28th ultimo from the Wahabis Amir
begins Your wish to mediate between us and the Ruler of Maskat, this mediation is approved
by us, but if the arrangement come to us is not acted upon, tho penalty should be exacted
from the party not abiding by it. Reply what your decision may be, an agent will follow to
make arrangements ends.
“ Another lottcr from the Wahabi Amir in reply to my demands states that ho desires a
consultation and will send an agent; that the Genebah tribe arc guilty in regard to our
subjects at Sobar but that it is incumbent on him, the Amir, to try and recover the money”.
112. Soon after the Amir dispatched an envoy to Bushire with definite
proposals of peace. Measures were taken for the protection of British in
terests at Maskat during the confusion that ensued there after the late Sul
tan’s murder.
113. Colonol Polly arrived at Bushire on the 21st April, and had an
interview with the Wahabi Envoy,
Political k, Juno 1866, Nos. 62 aid 63.
whose assurances and wishes appeared to
be in all respects satisfactory. Ho gave Colonel Pelly the following written
declaration:—
u I Mahomed bin Abdullah bin Maneh am certain on the following points
<f I am authorized by Imam Abdullah bin Fysal to request the Sahib, the Resident in
the Persian Gulf, to become the medium of friendship between Imam Abdullah biu Fysal and
tho British Government.
“ Secondly—I assure tho Resident in the Persian Gulf on the part of Imam Abdullah
bin Fysal that he will not onposo or injure British subjects rosidiog iu territories under the
authority of Abdullah bin Fysal and,
“ Thirdiy.—\ assure the Rosident ia tho Persian Gulf, on tho part of Imam Abdullah
bin Fysal, that ho will uot injuro or attack tho territories of tho Arab tribes in alliance with
tho British Government, especially of the Kingdom of Maskat further thau in receivin'- tho
Zukat that baa boon customary of old, °