Page 227 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

1

Part VI—Chap. XLIV.] 205 I
Bahrein. He had likewise exhibited a disposition to bury anoiont feuds, and
to enter intoclo9o and friondly rolationa with Sheikh Sultan bon Saggar, the
head of the Joasmi tribo, an object greatly to bo desired and wliioh the
Resident did not dospairof seeing accomplished, woro it not for the intrigues
of Sheikh Makhtum of Dcbayo (a port situated between Shargah and
Abuthabi), whoso interest lay in kooping tho Boniyas and Joasmi Chiefs at
variance.
384. Tho visit of Itear-Adrairal Sir Frederick Maitland in the Wellesley
to Ras-ul-Kkima had been most op­
Jonsmi Sheikhs.
portune, and would in all probability
decide tho future policy of Sheikh Sultan bin Saggar with reference to
Khorshcd Pasha. From tho report of the nativo Agent at Shargah it appeared
that tho wily Egyptian had deputed to the Maritime Shoikhs of Oman a person
named Sacd ben JUutluk, who during tho timo that Sheikh Turky was head of
tho Wahabi sect resided in Brymi, as tho naib or deputy of that personage;
this individual, who possessed great porsonal influenoo among tho Arabian
tribes, and who had a perfect knowledge of their various and conflicting
interests, having been removed by Feysul, tho ex-Wahabi Chief, had joined
the Egyptian Commander, and had been deputed by him to Raa-ul-Khima
to persuade tho Chiefs on the Coast of Oman to acknowledge tho authority of
Mahomed Ally in reality, but ostensibly that of his Tul Khalod tho now
nominal head of tho Wahabis. Sued bon Mutluk’s unexpected appearanco
seemed to have thrown the Joasmi Chief into the greatest perplexity, but at
last by a mixture of threats and promises tho Egyptian Agent persuaded him
to unite in requiring the Beni Naiem, who had lately got possession of
Brymi, to surrender it to the Nedgdis. The reply received was they would
bury themselves in tho ruins of tho place rather than give it up. On receiving
the summons of Saed bon Mutluk the Beni Naeim applied to Sheikh Khulifa
of Abuthabi and Saed Humud of Sohar for support to resist the common
enemy. This call was promptly responded to by the latter Chief, who
instantly despatched his brother Gess with 200 men to Brymi. Seoretly
pleased in his own mind at this bold demonstration of the Beni Naeim, Sheikh
Sultan bin Saggar was still greatly embarrassed between his desire to
maintain his own independence and his dread of the power of the Egyptian
ruler. The Resident, however, hoped that the appearance of the Wellesely,
and the knowledge of the disapprobation with which the British Government
viewed the proceedings of Khorshid Pasha on the shores of tho Persian Gulf,
would at once determine Sheikh Sultan to decline any further connexion with
8aed ben Mutluk, and to unite with the other Arabian Chiefs in making a
bold and resolute stand against the further encroaohments of the Pasha. His
oxample would be followed by the Sheiks of Debaye, Ejman, and Amulgavine,
who in matters of general policy commonly acknowledge his supremacy. The
united forces of these four Chiefs were estimated to be about 10,000 men, of
which number 8,000 would be the adherents of Sultan himself.
385. As already stated in a former paragraph Syed Humud ben Azan of
Sohar had sent a reinforcement under
Hamad ben Azan.
his brother to the Beni Naeim in
Brymi, he stood therefore fairly committed with Mahomed Ally. He was
a man of great talent and energy, and may be considered as a most important
addition to the loaguo against the Egyptians. On an emergency he oan
muster about 6,000 armed dependants.
386. With regard to the Government of Maskat, the expression of the
T . . wishes of the British Government would
T 0 mam of 1 as at. be sufficient to prevent any support
or aid being afforded to the Egyptian Commander. It was asserted that some
time previously the Imam had agreed with Mahomed Ally to pay him an
annual tribute if placed in possession of the Island of Bahrein, but the Agent
at Maskat reported that the secrot instructions held from His Highness by the
Regency of that port wore to join cordially with Hamud ben Azan of Sohar,
in his opposition to the encroaohments of Khorshid Pasha, if it be ascertained
that the Shoikh was noting bond fide in his exhibition of hostility, otherwise
they were to bo guided by circumstances. The establishment of the
2 d 2

_