Page 144 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

122 Part V-Chap. XXVIII.

(II) REMOVAL OF TIIE DETACHMENT TO THE ISLAND OF KISHM WITH TUB
EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE IMAM OF MASKAT.
23G. Tho Governor in Council having determined on tho removal of the
garrison from Uas-ul-Khima, Captain
Thoprason, commanding at that placo, was
directed to make over tho place to Sultan-bin-Saggar or to whntovor ohioftain
ho should think best calculated to fulfil tho wishcB of Government. The
marks were to be destroyed previously to tho place being mado ovor to the
Arabs. Tho garrison was to bo romoved to the Island of Kishm to tho occupa­
tion of which tho consent of tho Imam of Maskat was to bo obtained, if not
already conceded (lotter, dated 17th April 1820). With this lottor was
onolosed a letter to tho Imam from tho Governor.
237. On tho 15th May 1820, Captain Thompson reported that ho had des­
patched tho Mercury with tho Governor’s lottor to the Imam and also his own
letter to Ilia Highness for tho purposo of obtaining his consent to the occupa­
tion of tho Island of Kishm. In his lotter, dated the 29th May, Captain
Thompson reported that tho Mercury had returned on that date from Maskat
bearing the full consent of the Imam to the removal of the troops to Kishm
and an open letter to the Sheikh of that island directing him every assistance
to the embarkation and conveyance of the troops.
238. Tho following is translation of the Imam’s letter to the Governor
Volume 10-18 of 1821. of Bombay:—
*' With record to the observations made by you, conuected with the removal of the troops
froin Ras-ul-Khima to Kishm, God knows that the island in question and all other territories
appertaining to me, and subjtct to my authority, appertain also to the Honourable Companv,
and that I do not reckon these dominions as appertaining to me, but as appertaining to tho
Honourable Company.
On the receipt a 6hort time ago of an application from tho respectnble Captain Thompson,
I immediately despatched two of my vessels, that is the Caroline and Salihee to him, aud they
are at present in his employ. I also sent the rao9t positive orders to the port of Kiidim, that
be should be furnished with suoh supplies and boats ns might be necessary so ns to obviate all
delay in the embarkation and removal of the troops, and God willing, I shall never be back­
ward iu any service which I can render Government. You may also rest assured that I am
steadfast in my friendship, aud that my attachment is unshaken. As to your observations in
relation to Ras-ul-Khima, can I say otherwise than that your determination is fouuded upon
the best polioy, aud with regard to any services that can be rendered you in my possession,
which appertain to the Honourable Company, I look forward to notice from you to that effect
for there is no distinction or separation between us. I continue steadily to pursue, under the
existing dose connection, that friendly line of conduct which befits allies. I trust iu God
that the same will be maintaiued in all time to come.”

239. In leaving Ras-ul-Khima, Captain Thompson tried to obtain tho con­
sent of Sultan-bin-Saggar to a modification of Sir XV, Grant Keir’s treaty on the
lines suggested in the Bombay Government’s letter, dated 16th February 1820,
above quoted as a quid pro quo for the restoration of the place to the Chief, but
to this 8ultan-bin-Saggar would not assent. The Sheikh would not also agree
to receive back the place if its fortifications were demolished. The instructions
of the Government of India were however positive on the point and almost all
the buildings of the place, which were in a greater or less degree fortifications,
were destroyed and the place entirely evacuted by the British troops on 18th
July 1820. The detachment arrived in the town qf Kishm on the 20th of the
same month.
239A. In reporting these proceedings in his letter, dated 9th August
1820, Captain Thompson proposed the early removal of the detachment to
Deristan opposite the Island of Henjam, as being a more healthy station and
also more conveniently situated for watching the Pirate Coast. Preparations
were therefore made for tho reception of the troops at Deristan and particularly
for the accommodation of the sick. These proceedings were approved by the
Government of Bombay in their letter No. 1389, dated 12th September 1820.