Page 182 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

1G0 Part V—Chap. XXXVI.
him ; they acknowledge the general supremacy of the Itnanm of Mascot, but are at present in
alliance with Sultan bin Suggur.
46. You are already awaro that Sheikh Shakbut, the former Chief of Abuthabi, was ex­
pelled by the I mau m of Maseat, about two years ago, and his son Tahnun set up in’his stead*
Sheikh Mahomed, the brolher ol Tahnun, lied to Bidaa, and engaged the services of a Chief
named Sonidan binZaal; the studio led to disorders which have already been explained by
Colonel Kennclt, and which through the interference of the Imamu of Muscat been put a stop
to. Through bis influcnco it would appear that 1 ho parties have so far been reconciled, that
Sonidan bin Zaal has desisted from his depredations, and Sbcikli Mahomed has left Bidaa and
retired to the protection of another branch of the tribo in tbo interior.
47. Sonidan bin Zaal is Sheikh of tho Muhasiba branch of the Beriyas tribe. IIo is a
wandering Chief, and has no fixed place of abodo
Sonidan bin Zaal.
but was considered tho subject and friend of tho
Sheikh of Abuthabi, until tho accession of Tahnun, when ho espoused tho cause of Sheikh
Mahomed against that Chief. Ho gained his livelihood by fishing and piracy, and latterly
resided chiefly at Bidaa. In November Ib23 ho proceeded to Maseat, whero ho received somo
pre-ent from the Iraaum ; and since his return ho has I hear gone to establish himself in the
Island of Sur Beni Yas which is the ►outhornmost of the proupe lutely discovered, and is
described by Captain Grubb in his report of the 19th Soot ember 1821. IIo is accompanied by
his friend and relation Sheikh Nubai man; they have nearly a thoueaud men at their command
ami possess one fine batillc aud about fifty fishing boats.
48 Theso particulars respecting Sonidan I did not learn till after my arrival at Bidaa and
Bahrein ; otherwise I should have made a point of finding him out. 1 am also informed that
it is very doubtful whether ho will uboy Sheikh Tahnuris order, and that ho is a vory dangerous
unsettled character, leadv to join in any disorders that may occur. It is extromcly desirable
thut a person of this description should cither be succeeded (arc) to dependence on his lawful
thief if indeed h- does own allegiance to any one, or that he should be obliged to fix himself
iu somo tangible place of abode, and leave off his present roving life.
49. I intend to write to Sheikh Tahnun, that if Sonidan submits to his authority, it is
well; if not, that we should not object to his reducing him by force, provided he really owes
him allegiance, but that if he remains quietly at Sur Beni Yas, and does not disturb the peace
of tho sea, it is better to allow him to settle there; and that we cannot interfere further than to
see that ho obeys all tho articles of tho treaiy, to which I consider him in any event a party to
a certain degree, since ho has been furnished with a Register for his boat by Colonel Kennett;
but that if be commits any act of piracy we will assht to destroy him.
50. I shall at tho eamo time request Captain Faithful 1 as soon as possible to send a cruiser
to find Sonidan, to whom 1 shall write to the 6ame effect as to Tahnun, recommending him
at the same time to submit to Tahnun. and warning him ; that in any event his renewal of dis­
orders at sea will draw down our vengeance on him ; that if, on the other hand, he chose to live
in peace at Beni Yas wo will not molest him; but that if he does not settle somewhere, I shall
be under the necessity of withdrawing his Register, since we cannot admit to the lawful rights
of the treaty, a Chief who persists in leading a wandering life on the high seas, and acts in
the suspicious manner which he has done.
51. I have also written to the I maum of Maseat on the subject, and ahull bo guided by
the answers I receive, whether to admit Sonidan formally as a party to the treaty or not; should
he commit any fit disorders I shall be possibly obliged to recommend an attack on him.
52. The Sheikh of Abuthabi and Duby profess to bo very well disposed to our Government:
they both seem to be more of pastoral and military habits tlian the other chiefs of the coast; the
former possesses a great many boats, but tho latter very few. They were both employed with
their people a f$w miles inland from Sharga, according to their own account, in tending their
flocks, and guarding them against tho attacks of tho Bedouins and others who were instigated
by Fa?hid bin Humid to plunder them; but I suspect they were actively aiding Sultan bin
Suggur against that Chief.
53. I don't think that any danger is to bo apprehended from the Uttubi, unlesB their
quarrel with Rama bin Jabir and the wars of the Persians and the Imaum of Maseat on Bah­
rein should lead to disorders in that quarter. Tho authority, however, of tho Sheikh does not
appear to be so absolute as might be expected, and is borne with much reluctance by the in­
habitants of tho islands. In fact l am doubtful who*her tho Sheikh has it in his power to
restrain entirely the inclination of his subjects to revenge themselves for the injuries they
may receive from their enemies.
64. Sheik Abdulla bin Ahmed and nearly all the Uttubis reside on the smaller island of
his brother; Sheikh Suleiman is a very old man and has retired to spend the remainder of his
days at a small fort called ttuffa on the Island of Bahrein, about eight miles from the town of
Manam, where his son Khallifa exercises the principal control, but there appears to be some
divisions of authority amongst several eons and servants of the Sheikh.
55. Persia has renewed its attempts against this island, at least I understand that Mina
Bankir Auhu has proceeded to Maseat to invito Imaum to a conference with Zukee Khan at
Bunder Abase, to arrange operations for a joint attack on Bahrein, and also that letters have been
forwarded to Sultan bin Suggur, requesting his co-operati m, and offering him the naval com­
mand of the expedition. It is not probable that a coalit ion of this description will tako place,