Page 142 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

120 Part V-Chap. XXVIII.
8. Tlio accompanying1 is a translation of a letter from Ilis Highness the Imam of
Maskatja translation of his proposed agreement with tho Utubis of Bahrein alluded to
in his lotter is also transmitted, as well as a copy of my reply to His Highness.
9. I now heg to refer to tho letter from tho Imam which accompanied my despatch of
the 24th of February as well as to tho remarks in tho 15th, 10th and 17th paragraphs of that
despatch. Tho difference in tho tono of His Ilighness’s communication now forwarded
and the profession of his great desire “to act in striot conformity to my wishes” was
probably occasioned by his distrusting, not without reason certainly, tho professions of tho
Prince of Shiraz respecting His Royal Highness's army being about to aid in tho Bahrein
expedition. Tho preparations for this expedition have, for those last two or three years,
been, mado uso of by tho Prinoo of Shiraz, as an oxcuse for levying exactions of a most
opprossivo naturo from many of the Sheikhs and other inhabitants of tho Persian coast of tho
Gulf, by which much distress has boon occasioned and tho minds of all kept in a most
harassing state of alarm and doubt; this has interrupted all tho industrious pursuits that
nndor due encouragement would tend materially to maintain tho peace of tho Gulf. It is,
therefore, much to bo desired that sorao deoidod steps should be takon to 6et tho couflioting
claims against the Utubis of Bahroiu permanently at rest.
10. By the latest accounts received the day before I left Bushire, tho Princo of Shiraz
bad loft tho sea coast, und was on his return to Shiraz, having, I understood, intimated that
ho had abandoned nil intontion of prooeoding this yenr ngniust Bahrein. Tho Imam of
Moskat, who had reached the Island of Kism with his ships and boats, in conformity to his
agreement with the Prince, will thus again have beou deceived by His Royal Highness, who
appears to have a mean opinion of tho Imam's penetration and judgmeut, and 1 understand
that the Shiraz Government calculates upon deooiving tho Imam at all times when it may
be convenient for it to do so. The Imam will probably returu to Musknt without being able
to effect anything decisive against tho Bahrein Government; this will, 1 trust, afford time for
urging tho mediation contemplated in the Honourable the Governor's letter of the 15tU of
December to Mr. Willock.
11. As connected with this subject I transmit a translation of a communication made
to the Sheikhs of Bahrein according to the spirit of tho despatch of the Governor in Council
to the Governor-General, dated tho 15th of December, and I beg leave to state that the
ratification of these Sheikhs 1ms been received to tho preliminary treaty mentioned in the
14lh paragraph of my despatch of the 7th of February, as having been entered into by
their Vakil. Their ratification of the “ General Treaty with the Arab tribes” extended to
them at the same time has also been received.
12. I now transmit one of the original copies of the “ General Treaty ” having the
autograph signatures of tho different Chieftains. As the Chieftains of Imam and Am-ul-
Gywyo appeared to enjoy a certain degree of independence of Sultan bin Sagger, I conceived
that advantage might be derived from associating them by name in tho General Treaty, and
this was done accordingly.
18. His Majesty's ship Liverpool was at Ras-al-khima for a few hours on tho 25th
ultimo, and I then reoeived a report of which the accompanying is a copy from Captain
Thompson. The Governor iu Council will derive satisfaction from tho favourable accounts
it contains of the state of that garrison, although the difficulty of procuring good water
may be reckoned a serious evil.
li. The very voluminous proceedings of a Committee assembled by Captain Thompson
are before me, and from them the following inferences may be drawn. No good water is pro­
curable within the Fort of Rae-ul-khima, and the nearest that is drinkable is at tho distance of
2 miles, but even that water becomes putrid and unfit for use at tho cad of fifteen days.
In the event of the country becoming hostile extreme inconvenience must naturally arise
from this want of water, the only mode of remedying which is to have a considerable supply
stored up iu proper vessels. It will be observed from the accompanying copy of a letter
that the Commandant is particularly urgent on this point, and is very anxious that a a took
sufficient for three months should be laid in, as this is the period calculated in which relief
might be obtained from Bombay in case of the wells being oooupied by an enemy with an
overpowering foroe, but I cannot consider so large a supply to be absolutely necessary, as
it appears to me that water could, so long as our ernizers are maintained in the Gulf, be
prooured at any time of the year from Kishm, tho Persian Coast, or Maskat, in a period not
exceeding one month, and much sooner unless in caeos of extreme bad or calm weather, yet
as it must ever be advisable that a garrison should be preparod against emergencies, I most
atroogly recommend that immediate steps be taken for affording the garrison of Ras-ul-
khima the means of keeping in store either in tanks or casks, a sufficiency of water for one
month. The accompanying sketch of a calculation shews the quautity of water that the
garrison have now vessels to contain, as well as the balanoe to complete one month's supply
for which tanks or casks are required ; with these vessels our establishment of the cruizers
should be sent, and I conceive that great advautago in point of time, tho saving of which is
certainly a great object, would be derived by sending the tanks or casks from Bombay full
of water, as considerable difficulty, as well as delay, would be experienced in filling so large
a quantity of water in the Gulf of Persia.
15. With the view of pl&oing the troops at Ras-aul-khima beyond all immediate
chance of being distressed for water, Captain Thompson, it will be perceived, has requested
Captain Bruce, the Resident at Bushire, to send from that plaoe a aapply of about three