Page 235 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VI—Chap. XLIV.] 213
tbo Gulf should bo sufficiently increased to cnablo us to provido for tho safety of Kamk, and
at tho same time to keep two vessels of war cruizing off tho Arabian Coa*t until the present
crisis bo past. In the event of Sued bin Mootluk's return to Katcef and Kliorshid Pasha again
preparing to dospatch him by sea, wiih a larger force to ihe Coast of Oman, authority should
bo given to blockade that port as woll as those of A jeer and Lohat. Should it bo ascertained that
any of tho Chiefs on tho coast, for tho furtherance of their own fouds and quarrels with each
other, are aiding and abetting tho Egyptians, or these tribes connected with them, in
attacking Bry nice, they should bo threatened with tbo destruction of their towns and \yssels
if thoy did not immediately desist, and this throat should bo carried into execution if nccssary.
If theso measures wero authorised, and at tho samo time an explicit intimation given to
Mahomcd'Ally by Her Majesty’s Government that ho would be hold responsible for any loss
of lifo which might arise from carrying thorn into operation, it would, I venture to think, at
once put an end to the temporizing policy he has so long successfully pursued, and by compel­
ling him to issuo peremptory orders for the withdrawal of his troops and agents from the
direction of the Persian Gulf, secure the independence of this side of Arabia, and thus establish
tho influence and reputation of Great Britain in this part of the world, upou a firmer founda­
tion than over.
(IV) SHEIKII OF KOWEITS DISCOURTESY TO OUR AGENT—FULIJA ISLAND, 1839.
390. Whatever we can trace about our early relation with the Sheikhs of
Koweit is interesting. They had been
Vol. 68-1064 of 1839-40, p. 283. i
always friendly towards us, but in 1839
we find Sheikh Jabir in the grasp of the Agents of Mehemot Ali, Viceioy of
Egypt. Lieutenant Edmunds, Assistant Resident at Bushire, was deputed
by Captain Hennel to sound tho Sheikh and if possible keep him from falling
into the net spread by Mehemet Ali with a view to make the Arab Chiefs on
the Persian Gulf his vassals. The Sbeikh, however, disposed to be friendly
with the British, had a dread of the name Mehemet Ali, and received Lieut­
enant Edmunds with scant courtesy. We shall quote extracts from the
Assistant Resident’s report about the reception and the value of Koweit and
the island of Eujira for commercial and military purposes :—

Extract of a report from lieutenant Edmunds, Assistant Resident, to Captain ITcnnell, Resi­
dent in the Persian Gulf, dated 5th November 1839.
I hnve tho honor to report that having agreeably with your instructions embarked on
board this vessel, I arrived at Koweit on the 30th ultimo and immediately sent your letter
to Sheik Jabir, who told the bearer that I should have.an answer in the morning. From the
circumstance of no return having been made to, or any notice whatever taken of the salute
ficed by this vessel os wo anchored, and from tho Sheik’s having omitted the uqual compli­
ment paid by Arab Chiefs to English vessels of war arriving at their ports (in this instance
the more .marked as he had been informed that the object of my .visit was to hold a personal
conference with him), viz., that oF sending 6omo one of their relatives or followers on board
to offer their services and welcome those arrived, I thought it as well, with a view of observing
what degree of friendship he really cnteitaiued for us, to wait a day or two .before makiug any
further advances. Meanwhile and chiefly .through the great kindness and attention of Moo.-a
bin Faris, a wealthy and highly intelligent merchant of Bussora who has lately settled at
Koweit, I was enabled to make every enquiry regarding the facility of forwarding the over­
land post, and other points connected with the place. This person, who has frequently visited
India and has travelled a good deal, is much better informed than any Arab I have met with,
and .evidently entertains, what so fow of his countrymen are capable of doing, an adequate
estimate of the power os, the British Government. Hearing that I was anxious to enquire of 1
the merchants regarding he different routes to Syria, he of his own accord came on board
the vessel to volunteer his services, and afterwards introduced me to other merchants more I
immediately engaged in the Damascus and Alleppo trade than himself. Having .until the
third day after our arrival remained altogether unnoticod by Sheik Jabir, I then sent to 6ay
that I was desirous of meeting him ; and shortly after went to his house, when I found the
old man sitting with a number of people about him. My reception was anything butgracious
as the Shaik only'half rose from his scat and did not think it necessary to lay aside the pipe ?
which he was smoking. I told him that my visit was on<5 of business only and to enquire
from himself whether he was williug to assist in forwarding the Government mails; that
if I had not been charged with this duty 1 should, in consequence of his neglecting to return,
our 6aluto to answer the letter of introduction which I had brought or to take any other
notice of us, have left the place without seeing him. He answered that his people if well
paid would convey packets to Damascus, Alleppo, Bussora or Bagdad, and also weut into
some details from which I did not gain any new information but whioh served to show that 1
he hes not the excuse of dotage for his unusual conduct and manners: from his advanced age :
1 hoc at -first'thought this probable. The Sheik then shortly denied having been guilty of
an] omission towards us, stating that he had never been in tho hubit of noticing English *
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