Page 203 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

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Part VI—Chap. XLI. 181
Imam of Maskat, and entirely coincides with the sontimonts expressed in the
last-quotod letter of tho Government of Iudia :—
1. Wo now proceed to notice bucU letters and paragraphs addressed to us by your Gov­
ernment on the affairs of the Persian Gulf, as have not yet been replied to: being the
following:—
Lettor, dated 15th April (No. 7), 1831.
„ „ 16th November (No. 37), 1831.
a „ 17th (No. 38), „
Paragraphs 4, 8 and 10.
Letter, datod 18th February (No. 4), 1832.
„ „ 18th April (No. 10), 1832.
a „ 25th September (No. 28), 1832.
Paragraphs 3 to G.
Letter, dated 29th October (No. 31), 1832.
2. These various communications contain a very interesting summary of tho events
which have taken place in the Gulph during the period which they embrace ; but they present
few subjects for observations or orders.
3. Your proceedings have been conformable to the principle of limiting our interference
with the various States in tho Gulph, to what is required for the protection of commerce, and
the enforcement of the engagements for the suppression of piracy. In this course of conduct
you have been well seconded by your subordinates. And wo observe with high satisfac­
tion that acts of piracy, even in times of acknowledged war, have become rare, that the
Chiefs universally exhibit a disposition to prevent them, and that when they occur, redress
for the sufferers, or, at least, tho punishment of tho offenders, is generally, and without much
'difficulty obtained.
4. By a perseverance in the policy which has thus far been 60 eminently successful, we
see no reason to doubt that in a short time the piratical habits of the Arabs will be entirely
reformed.
5. By tho judicious exorcise of your influence you will no doubt in time bo able to
accomplish another object of importance to civilization, tho suppression of the slave trade,
which is still carried on, though to a limited extent, between the Coast of Africa and the
Arab ports, not excepting Muscat.
6. In the papers now submitted to us, various indications occur, that the Arab States
on the Gulph would not bo avorse to our assuming that general protectorship over them, which
would be implied in our prohibiting wars and becoming the arbitrators of all their disputes.
We entirely concur with you, however, in considering the assumption of such a power, and
indeed, any more intimate connexion with those States than at present exists, to be wholly
inadvisable.
7. In one instance you deviated from the principle of non-interference, so far as t°
intimate to the associated Chiefs, who appeared to have brought tho Imaum of Muscat to the
brink of ruin, that you would not promit that Chieftain to bo annihilated as a substantive
power, or permanently and greatly reduced in importance. This measure, which would
otherwise be questionable, may perhaps be defended on tho ground of tho olaims which the
Imaum has acquired upon us by his ready and zealous co-operation in our measures for
the extinction of piracy, and by his important concessions on the subject of the slave trade.
8. This interposition in the Imaum’s behalf might, however, havo involved us in un­
pleasant consequences, if the Imaum had not so promptly disavowed the application of the
Hegent acting in bis absence, and declined to avail himself of the assistance placed at his
disposal. Had that assistance beeu accepted, it would have imposed on us the necessity of
restraining him from the execution of unjust enterprizes, should such be undertaken or
meditated by him against other States; since it would be highly improper to allow
unlimited license of aggression to one whom we protect from the extreme consequences of the
hostility which he may provoke. Wo do not think that you are by any means bound by
your firmer act to tender him the like assistance on the future recurrence of a similar crisis in
his affairs, his having declined to avail himself of it, is a sufficient reason for not renewing
the offer.
9. It appears probable indeed that the wars now of so frequent occurrence among the petty
States on tho Gulph will soon be prevented or mitigated by the submission of those States
to a common superior in the person of tho ruler of the Wahabees, who have now recovered an
extent of dominion nearly equal to that which they enjoyed in the times of their greatest
prosperity; have taken Lhassa and Katiffe, rendered Bahrein tributary to them, and
cultivate the most friendly relations with Sheikh Sooltan bin Suggur and with the Imaum
of Muscat, both of whom have acknowledged the superiority of the Wahabee Chief Toorkey
bin Suood.
10. The information you appear to have received concerning this Chief's eood sense
and talents for Government is very favourable and there appears to have been hither to no
cause for regretting the ascendancy which he has acquired in Eastern Arabia.