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Part VI—Chop. XLIV.] 209
tho Sultan’s Array in Syria, alraoBt every Arab in Nedgd would bo immediately arrayed
against him after alluding in a tono of complaint to the Government not having compelled
Esa-bin-Tnreef and the Al-i-AUy to return to their allegianco to him, but expressing his
sincere desiro for the maintenance of his friendly rotations with tho British, the Shaik took
liis deparaturo.
8. The impression I liavo received from this interview is, that Shaik Abdoolah Mir
Ahmed being now advanced in years is unwilling to bo placod in any situation calling for
active nud personal exertion, and that to avoid this ho is prepared to make considerable
sacrifices. lie is evidently overawed by tho almost invariablo success which has hitherto
attended tho political iutngucs, and military operations of Khorshid Pasha. Indeed to such
nu extent docs this influence aot upon his otherwise naturally acute mind, that I am inclined
to think ho is doubtful whether tho English could cope with the Pasha prosperously by land,
however superior they may be by sea, at nil ovonts so great is tho Shaik's desire to have his
tranquillity as little disturbed as possible that I nm by no means certain whether he would
not prefer allowing matters to remain on their present footing than bestir himself to main­
tain his independence even with tho aid and support of the British Government. Nevertheless,
he would be delighted to be relieved from tho burden he has taken upon himself if this could
bo done by the influence of England without imposing upon him tho uccesdty of making any
personal exertion.
4. As a general belief has been entertained by mysolf, as well a<» others, that Bahrein
could bo protected by our vessels of war from an attack, I think it right to draw tho atten­
tion of tho Government to the positive asset tion of the Shaik, that there arc many parts
between tho island and the main, u here neither bugla nor ship could be of any service in
proveutiug a large fleet of boats from making its way across in tho course of a few hours.
Shaik Abdoollah assured me, that in the time of Shaik Nassir, he had himself successfully
attacked Bahrein in this manner, although his antagonist possessed a strong naval force, but
which could not be made available.
6. No alteration appears to have taken place in the stations and distribution of the
Egyptian Array in Nedgd; the Pasha himself being, according to the latest accounts, still
at his Head Quarters in Surmada, settling tho affairs of Central Arabia. Shaik Abdoolah,
in speaking of Beymee, and its refusal to submit to Said bin Mootluk, mentioned a report,
that Khorshid had given 10,000 crowns to 400 camelmco, and 100 horse of the Mutteer
Bedwins, under Bin Buttal, and Iloussoy, to march across by land to reinforce Said bin
Mootluk, who belonged to that tribe. The Shaik added, that considering the season, the
difiiciency of water in the desert, and othor difficulties, he doubted whether the expedition
would be undertaken. In concluding the subject of Bahrin I have only to observe that the
tono of my conversation and the tenor of my protest havo mado Shaik Abdoolah awaro that
I consider bo lias placed himself in a somewhat ambiguous position with reference to us. It
must however remain for tho Government to decide, whether it is advisable to detach him
altogether from the Egyptians by giving him the written pledge of protection be asks for.
G. On the 1st iustant the Hugh Lindsay anchored off Aboothabeo, within the reofs about
three quarters of a mile from the town, a
Aboothabee.
position which could not havo been occupied by a
sailing vessel without incurring much risk: thus shewing the advantages which would attend
permanent addition of a steamer to the Gulf Squadron. It was afterwards ascertained by
sounding that the Hugh Lirulsai/ could havo lain within a pistol shot of the place without
tho least danger. Shaik Khuleifa bin Jlulboot having come on board, I informed him,
after the usual compliments on both sides had passed, that having received information which
led me to believe that certain Chiefs on tho coast had, by entering into friendly communica­
tion with Sued bin Mootluk, been acting contrary to the understanding which had been come
to in their interview with Captain Edmunds on tho occasion of the recent visit of Admiral
Maitland, I had lost no time in repairing to tho spot in order to ascertain who the individuals
were, who had thus rendered themselves obnoxious to tho displeasure of the British Government
by their deceitful proceedings. The Shaik on reply denied with great apparent earnestness and
sincerity, that he had given the 6lighe6t countenance and support to the Pasha's Agent; on
the contrary, he 6aid, that ho had expressly intimated to Shaik Sultan bin Suggur, that the
only condition upon which he would consent to levy all former feuds and quarrels in oblivion
was the expulsion of Sued bin Mootluk from his territories within a given time. The
Shaik then dwelt with much earnestness upon liis close alliauce and friendly relations with
the inhabitants of Brymee, who, he added, were supported by Huraood bin Azan of Johar,
and quite determined to resist any attempt to bring them under tho rule of the Egyptians ;
that bo had recoived two communications from Sued bin Mooltuk sealed with the Pasha's
Signet, calling upon him to acknowledge the authority of that person of which he had not
taken the slightest notice (an assertion which I afterwards ascertained was a positive falsehood) ;
that from the time of the receipt of tho last letter I had addressed to him upon the subject
of Sued bin Mootluk bo had been more than ever determined to avoid all connexion with that
individual, but on the contrary, to cultivate more sedulously than before his relations with
tho British Government, and resisting to tho last extremity all attempts of Khorshid Pasha to
subjugate him, to look to the English alono for support and protection. On my asking
Shaik Khulcofa whether ho would give mo a written paper expressive of theso sentiments,
Copy and tramlait of declaration made by he roadily assented, and I have now the honor
Shaik Khuleefa bin Shakboot. to enclose a copy and translation of this docu­
ment for the information of the Hon’blo tho Governor in Council. Tho Shaik was profuso

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