Page 228 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

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20 G [Part VI—Chap. XLIV.
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supremacy of Mahomed Ally over tbo Province of Oman, and the Arabian
shores of tho Persian Gulf, was so obviously opposed to tbo influenco and
interests of tbo Imam in this quarter, that ho cannot view tho progress of
Khorsbid Pasha with indifference. At all events, tbo lino of policy taken by
tho British Government, with reference to tbo Pasha’s encroachments, would
in tho Resident's opinion ensure tbo neutrality of tbo Masknt Government,
ovon if it should refuse to join those Arabian Chiefs.
387. In view of the threatened attack by Korshid Pasha on tho island of
Bahrein, the Bombay Government authorized Genoral Maitland to interpose
to prevont any such attompt. Tho Egyptian Commander himself was appre­
hensive of the British opposition to his intended attack on Bahrein, and ho
wrote to Captain Hcunell, with a viow to sound him as to our policy in regard
to his movements. Captain Henncll oloarly indicated the views of tho
British Government and requested that he would not undertake any active
operation against Bahrein without previous intimation.
388. Tho lino of conduct which tho Government of India authorized the
Gulf officers to pursue on these circum­
Volume 64—1060 of 1839.
stances is indicated in their letter to
the Bombay Government, dated 18th April 1839.
To—I. P. Willoughby, Esq., Secretary to tho Government, Bombay.
Secret Department.
Sib,
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letters dated respectively the 28th
ultimo and the 1st instant.
2. In reply to the latter of these communications I am instructed by the Right Honorable
the Governor-General of India to 6tate, for the information of the Honorable the Governor in
Council, that His Lordship is disposed to think that, if the letter of the Honorable
the Governor of Bombay to tho address of the Naval Commander in Chief dated
the 28th ultimo reaches His Excellency before Khorshed Pasha is prepared to attempt
putting into execution his threat of attacking the island of Bahrein with a view to its con-
quest, the authority given to His Excellency to interpose to prevent the attempt, and to
encourage resistance to it if it shall be made, will have proved sufficient to deter Khorshed
Pasha from further prosecuting his design. For that officer must, soon after the dispatch of
his letter to the Resideut in the Persian Gulph, have heard from Egypt that his proceeding
had attracted tho notice of Her Majesty's Ministers, and the prosecution of conquests in
Arabia would, in all probability, have either carried on with redoubled vigor in order that
his conquest might bo rendered as extensive as possible beforo it could be arrested by the
strong remonstrance of the British Government, or they would have been suspended by orders
from his master tho Viceroy of Egypt. His addressing Captain Hennel in order, as it
should seem, to 6ound that officer as to the line of policy whioh the British authorities in the
East were likely-to adopt with regard to his extending his conquest beyond the point, which
he had theu attaiued, seems to indicate that he had already received some intimation from
Egypt that the British Government was strongly opposed to his proceedings. And the reply
whioh he would receive from Captain Hennel must have convinced him that 6uch was also
the feeling of the British authorities in the East. Tho request of Captain Hennel that he
would not undertake any active operation against Bahrein without previous intimation, in
order that British subjects might be duly warned of the posture of affaire, was exceedingly
well timed and judicious, and may, His Lordship trusts, have contributed to dolay tho
meditated attack ou Bahrein till the arrival of Rear-Admiral Maitland off tho island.
8. Under these circumstances it appears to the Governor-General most probable that the
necessity or further interference on the part of this Government to 6ave Bahrein from falling
into the hands of the Egyptian General will have been obviated, either by his having attacked
it successfully before the Admiral's arrival, or by tho Admiral's presence and interference having
rescued it from attack. And His Lordship, in the absence of instructions from England as
to the mode of arresting the Egyptian aggress'ons on the tribes inhabiting the coast of the
Persian Gulph which would coincide with the policy of Her Majesty's Ministers, feels some
difficulty in authorizing any further measures of interference than those which have already
been communicated fur the guidance of the Naval Commander in Chief.
4. In the event however of the Chief of Bahrein having, as Captain Ilennel anticipates,
claimed our interposition and offered to place the island under British protection, the Gov­
ernor-General will authorize Sir Frederick Maitland to assure him of the temporary protection
of Her Majesty’s squadron in the Gulph, and to intimate to Khorshed Pasha that he has
done so and that it will be incumbent on that General to abstain from further military pro­
ceedings till both officers shall have time to receive orders from their respective Governments.
It must be presumed that an intimation to this effect would produce a cessation of hostilities
against Bahrein, and, if it should fail and Khorshed Pasha should persist in his design,
Admiral Maitland will be justified in declaring that tho Egyptian General, if he attempt* to
cross over to the island of Bahrein, must hold himself responsible for commencing hostilities

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