Page 234 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

212 [Part VI—Chap. XLIV.
of SuM bin Mootluk from hta coasts, that lio was sincere in hi« professions, and
secondly ho must ndd a olauso to tlio declaration given by tho other Shaiks, binding
himself to cuter into no correspondence or treaty With Mahomed Ally, his dependents
or auy other foreign Power, without the knowledge and consont of tho British Government!
and, moreover, that tho friends and enemies of the English should stand in the same relations
with himself. To the addition of this olauso. tho Shaik commuted without hesitation, and
said tbnt to rotnovo all doubts of his sincerity, tho engagements above referred to might bo
donosited In the hands of Moollah Housaeio, the British Agent at Shargah, with instructions
that it was not to bo handed ovor to him (Shaik Sultan) un il the final departure of Suid bin
Mootluk and his followers. This arrangement being finally agreed upon and Shaik Sultan
having affixed hie seal to tho declaration of which
Declaration of Shaik Sultan.
No. 7 is a copy and translation. I drew out
an agreement to famish him, under certain conditions, with warlike munitions, and now do
myself tho honour to submit a transcript of this document both in tho Original and Arabic
„ „ . for tlio consideration, and I venture to hone ’
ap-
rval,o£ \hc Riih‘,,,1"^'° th,° «»
tiont. Council. In concIudiUg tho particulars of my
interview wiJi Shaik Sultan l must not omit
to mention that he dwelt with great indignation upon tho utter faithlessness of Shaik Khuluza,
in having, without provocation, plundered tho Debaye Chief uf a number of valuable camels!
although he bimrelf hud made a considerable sacrifice in settling the claims of the former upon
the latter, in ordor to offoct a permanent reconciliation. Shaikh Sultan urged it upon rao
that tho engagement to abstain from nny further aggressions upon each other's territories
had been solemnly ratified in the presence of my assistant Captain Edmunds, on board ono of
tho Government vessels, and therefore, i ought to take up tho subject. As tho Shaik’s
arguments were not destitute of reason, I promised, that whon more weighty mutters wero
sefctlod, I would enquire into the affair, and exert uiy influence to procure the restoration of
the plundered property.
10. In referring to the commencement of my communication to Sued bin Mootluk
(enclosure No. 6) intimating that tho Beni Nacem
For tranelation of letter from chiefe of
Brymee. of Uejmce had been taken under protection pend­
ing the settlement of the subjects in discussion
between the British aud Egyptian Governments, I now beg to forward, for the information
of tho Hou'ble the Governor in Council, a translation of a let ter from Humud bin Surtor, and
Mahomed bin Abdoollab, Chiefs of the Naeom Tribe, to the British Agent at Shargah appeal­
ing to the English authority in tho Gulf for support and protection against the intrigues
and aggressions of Sued bin Mootluk. This appeal, under the present critical juncture of affairs,
I have couriered myself justified in receiving favourably, and therefore, in reply, I have
encouraged them to stand firm in their determination to maintain their own independence,
informed them that as soon as a suitable person can be found it is my intention to e<-nd an
Agent to reside in Brymee, and that in the event of their being attacked for their compliance
with our viows, that I will furnish them with a supply of ammunition if necessary.
11. I feel quite assured that Shaik Sultan bin Suggur at the present moment is sincere in
— * - — Z fsSfrag cSS fcatyj?
to induce Sued bin Mootluk to quit his territory, in
which object, aided as he will be by tho support and wishes of the Shaiks of tho neighbouring
districts, he will probably be successful. But the character of the Joasmee Chief is so hollow
and faithless, and at the same time so vacillating that it wonld not very much surprise me,
to find him again changing his intentions and policy. However this may be, I entertain
every hope that I have succeeded in giving a check, at least for the present, to the intrigues
of Sued bin Mootluk, and the encroachments of Khorshid Pasha in Oman, by having infused
confidence and courage into those disposed to uphold their connexion with the British, and
lowe>ed the hopes and pretensions of the party inclined to advance the Egyptian influence in
this part of Arabia. I consider it however my duty explicitly to lay before the Government
my opinion that this favourable re-action is not likely to be permanent, unless supported by
firm aud decided measures by the Indian aud Home authorities. The repoitof Ibrahim Pasha
being successful in his impending conflict with the Sultan—the arrival of reinforcements in
Oman either by land or sea from Khorshid Pasha, or the return of Sued bin Mootluk (suppos­
ing him now removed) with a larger and better equipped body of troops—all or any ono of
tbe6e not improbable contingencies would be sufficient to turn the soule, and give the final
blow to our already unsettled influence in these 'parts. Previously to having had the
advantage of a personal examination into the actual state of affai's on the Arabian Coast of
this Gulf, it was ray opinion, as expressed in a late communication to the Hnn’ble the. Secret
Committee, that the only effeotual check to the encroachments of Mahomed Ally, in this
direction, could be given by Her Majesty’s Ministers making serious nnd peremptory re­
monstrances to Cairo. I am, however, inclined now to think that this alone will not be
sufficient, unless some demonstration be likewise made by the Indian Government on this side.
It is difficult to point out, how such a demonstration could be mott effectively exhibited, but
1 would rno.-t respectfully suggest for consideration that in tho event of Shaik Sultan bin
Suggur not removing Sued bin Mootluk voluntarily, agreeably to his promise, that ho should
be forced to expel him, and supported by our naval and military means , should he allege hie
want of power as an excuse for the non-performance of his engagement* Tho naval force m