Page 148 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Ill

126 l-art V-Ohap. XXVIII.
the King of Persia as Kishm : the question therefore is, whether we aro to submit to the oviln
formerly suffered from the Joasmis, or to givo offence to the King of Persia. Ju(?"im? the
question on its own merits the Hou’blo the Governor would not hesitate to decido°a»»uinKr
permitting a renewal of piracy. °
The effects of Ill’s Majesty's displeasuro aro very unlikoly to load to open wrfr and it is
understood to bo the recorded opinion of Sir John Malcolm, the best authority on such a sub­
ject, that the possession of an island near the shore of I'oivin would bo more likely to fix the
King1 in tho British interests than to drive hiiu into hostilities.
But this is porlinps a confined view of the caso, and it may probably ho tho policy of Ilia
Majesty's Ministers to avoid giving any umbrage to Persia in any case where it oan possibly
be avoidod. It will rest with His Kxcelloncy the Governor-General to decido that question
and, in tho meantime, General Smith should ho requested to givo his opinion whether auy
place on the Arabian Const would answer for chocking piracy in the manner desigued from
Kishm, without being exposed to tho risk of attacks from tho neighbouring Arabs, aud with­
out necessarily involving tho British Government in tho transactions of thoso tribes.
With regard to tho ohargos against Captain Bruce, it is almost impossible to reply to
them without dooumonts to refer to, but the following aro tho observations that occur to the
lion'ble tho Governor.
Tho objoct of tho British Government was to preserve tho peaee of tho Gulf, as it was
owing to tho wars among the Powers who inhabit in its shores that the growth of piracy was
encouraged. It therefore applied it3 whole attention to bring about a reconciliation between
the •Imam of Maskat and the Utubis of Bahrein : at tho same time it offered its mediation
to prevont hostilities against Bahrein on tho part of the King of Persia, and even to procure
the latter a tribute rather than allow of war.
Tho proceedings were so far from inconsistent with each olhor that they sprang naturally
from the same source, a desire to preserve the peaco of the Gulf: at all events, the mediation
between tho Imam and the Utubis was tho avowed act of the Government of Bombay, and is
in no respect imputable to Captain Bruce.
The capture of tho Linga boats was tho act of tho officers of His Majesty’s Navy, even
whom Captaiu Bruce had not the least control. Tuo destruction of them was however tho
consequence of their own imprudent intercourse with the Joasmis.
Tho Hon'ble the Governor thinks he formerly proposed that the people of Linga should
be indemnified for their losses and that orders were issued accordingly, if such was not the case
it would bo advisable to ascertain where the discussion stopped.
The Hon'ble the Governor has no recollection of the affair of Charrack, but he does not
remember any transaction in which blame was imputable to Captain Bruco.
It is hoped that these facts and such additional ones as the records may furnish, will
enable Captaiu Willock to convince the King of Persia of Captaiu Bruco’6 perfect freedom
from all offence against His Majesty ; should His Majesty obstinately insist on his removal,
Captain Willock can iuform this Government aud await a further reply.
In such an ovent as is above alluded to, the Hou'ble tho Governor would not hesitate to
recall Captain Bruce, as it is evident that nothing is more likely to prevent harmony and
confidence, than the employment of an obnoxious Agent; but Government would, in his
opinion, bo bouud to prevent that gentleman suffering the smallest loss, either of money or
credit by his recall. I f he be permitted to bo . . . . .in any respeot
a loser, no British Agent will venture to assort the interests, or even obey the orders of his
own Government, when his doing so is likely to draw on himself the enmity of the Court to
which he is accredited.
The Hon'ble the Governor recommends that theso remarks be communicated to the
8upreme Government, and Captain Willock, in the meantime, might be acquainted for the
purpose of informing the King of Persia, that His Majesty's message had been transmitted
to His Excellenoy the Most Noble the Govornor-Genoral in Council, who will not fail to
give the fullest consideration to any just claims of His Majesty.
Captain Willock will no doubt, with his usual zeal for all branches of the publio interest,
seize every opportunity of impressing on the Court of Tehrau the absolute necessity of a
station such as Kishm to keep down piracy and its perfect harmlessuess iu reference to the
dominions of Persia.
Action was taken by the Bombay Government accordingly.

(tv) ORIGIN OF MASKATS TITLE TO TIIE KISIIM AND ORMUZ ISLANDS AND
UUNDER ARRAS, ETC.
267. The following report, dated 14th August 1821, of Dr. Jukes, Political
Agent, Kishm, as to the origin of the
Vol ume 2G—51 of 1821 (ice page 436).
connection of the Imams of Maskat with
Kishm, Ormuz, Bunder Abbas, and other parts of the Persian Coast near that
place, will be read with interest:—
The Persian Ministers having expressed their dissatisfaction at the small detachment of
British troops boing stationed on tho Island of Kishm, and considering that it was likely to