Page 116 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

94.
Port V—Chop. XXV.
203. It was boliovcd that fcko Arab Sheikhs of tbo ports of tho Persian
Coast, Lingah Mogu, Oharrakand Oherro,
Persian susceptibilities.
xiad boon implicated in tho recent piracies
Tho expedition was diroctcd therefore also against these piratical strongholds'
as they wcro supposed to bo. l)r. Jukes was sent ahead to tho Gulf with
despatches from the Governor of Bombay to tho Princo of Pars, and tho
Governor of Bushiro explaining tho objects of tho Mission. To the Princo of
Pars it was pointed out that it was by no moans tho dosign of tho British
Government in India to adopt any course of tho proceeding inconsistent with
tho preservation of tho friendly relations oxiating between England and
Persia, and the Governor invited tho Princo to take part in tho operations
by land against tho Persian porta, whereby tho Persian authorities might bo
re-established on a footing which would enable thorn to curb tho licentious
disposition of tho inhabitants.
201 Tho Bombay Government issued very careful instructions to Sir
Instructions to Sir William Orant Kier. William Grant Keir on tho various points
Volume 52—49 0/1820-1821, page 1. connected with the expedition, which he
was to command, in their letter, dated 27th October 1819, which may bo
read:—
4. You will be pleased to understand that the Joassmeo tribe who have been most actively
engaged in the ntrooitiea whioh have called for tho operations now about to be undertaken,
occupy the port of Rus-ul-Khima on tho western shore of the Gulph of Persia, from whenoe
tho greatest part of tho piratical cruisers havo been equipped, and where they may probably
be now assembled.
6. For some years past until within the last, they appear to have beon under tho influence
of the Wahabeo sect, but since the fall of Deriah (tho seat of Government) aud tho rest of the
territories of that State to tho Turkish troops nndor tho command of Ibrahim Pacha, they have
been subjeoted to no control, and have continued thoir depredations without regard to the
naliou to which tho vessels or craft might belong, whioh thoy have felt themselves compe­
tent to subdue.
0. Abdoolla-bin Saood, tho late chieftain of tho Wahabees, who was made a prisoner
at Deriah, was, it appears, 6ont to Constantinople, and has since beeu put to death.
7. It would be difficult to recapitulate tho means and descriptions of tho vessels and
craft which have fallen into the hands of the pirates; but among them tho Honourable Com­
pany's Pattamar, the Deria Dowlat and another belonging to this place with a detachment of
the Honourable Company’s Native troops aro to be included, the orews of which, as well aB
the troops ou board the latter, were inhumanly murdered.
8. The inhabitants of Ras-ul-Khima appear to tho Governor in Counoil to be deserving
the most exemplary punishment, and it would therefore be desirable, should circumstauces bt
favourable for efleoting the objects in view, that your operations should, in tho first instance, be
directed against them ; but though the property they have found 011 board the trading vessels
they have captured is of great extent, it is to be feared that it has already beon disposed of
at Bahrein and other places, and that none of it will be likely to be recoverable.
9. The pain of Ra6-ul-Khiraa which accompanies this, though perhaps not very accurately
described, will afford a tolerably correct idea of its situation and defences; and, considering
the extent of the force which has been placed at your disposal, it is to be hoped that at uo
distant period, after the commencement of your operations, it will fall into your hands, the first
object of your attention should be directed to the deduction of the piratical vessels and craft
of every description with every article of naval or military store that may be found there,
and you wilt not fail to bear in mind that excepting in cases of particular emergency neither
the troops or the crews of the ships of war or Che Honourable Company's cruisers are meant
to be employed at any distance from thence, or from any other place, to which your operations
maybe directed, against any military forces of the piratical Slates, unless their being »•
cm ployed should be found essentially requisite for the demolition of the piratical vessels and
craft which may be in their ports.
10. The despatch of His Excellency the Most Noble the Governor-General to Ibrahim
Paoha and the instructions which have beeo giveu to Captain Sadlier to whom the delivery
of that despatch has been confided, will put you in possession of the measures proposed to be
concerted with His Excellency, for placing the port of Rasselkhima under the authority
of the Turkish Government; and it is to be regretted that, by the unexpected departure
of His Excellency from that part of the coast before the arrival of Captain Sadlier, the
arrangements consequent to such a measure could not be concluded.
11. The letters which have been received from that officer which are inclosed for your
information will apprize you that he has followed His Excellency into the interior, and until
some reply shall have beeu received from him to tho overture thus made, it will bo necessary
the town of Ras-ul-Khima should be occupied by such a portion of the force uuder your orders
as may be necessary for its security.