Page 239 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Tart VI—Chap. XLIV.] 217
11. Captain Honnoll having thus succeeded in restoring-, for a time at least, the con-
fidouco of tho Arab Chiefs, submits hi* opinion that their present moro favorable disposition
-will not bo permanent unless supported by firm nnd decided measures of tho Indian and Home
authorities. It is suggested that tho tono of remonstrance addressed to the Government of
Egypt should become moro urgont and peremptory, and that it should bo supported by a
military d'-monsiration on this tide, and that in case of the Joasmeo Chief failing to perform
his engagement by the expulsion of Syud bin Mootluk, ho should be compelled by a naval
nnd military forco to do so, to accomplish which object* an augmentation of the number of
vessels employed in tho Persian Gulph would become necessary.
12. The measures which ought to bo adopted for the preservation of British interests in
tho Persian Gulph and the Aiabiun shores at the present moment must depend, I am directed
to observe, so much on tho lino of policy wl ioh Ilor Majesty’s Ministers may think proper to
pursuo towards tho ruler of Egypt, both with relation to European iutcrests, and on
consideration of tho manner in which tho remonstrance* of England against the encroac-hmcnts
of Khoorshid Pasha have been virtually neglected, that tho proceedings of tho Indian
Government mu6t be confined to following out that system of conduct towards the Egyptian
authorities which may be recommended, or laid down for our guidance by the Briliai Cabinet.
And it appears to llis Lordship that even ho wero not deterred under this restriction
from pursuing a more immediate course of active operations in support of British interest on
the Coasts of Arabia, it would be imprudent not to wait the event of the measures of
negotiation or remonstrance which are now probably in progress to induce Mahammad Ally
to recall his army in Arabia from the coa>t. For it is evident that no warlike demonstrations
that the Indian (iovernment has the moans of making in support of tlioso of tho Arab Chief­
tains who may hold out against Khoorshid Paslm would lead to such decisive results as the
complete withdrawal of Ids army and his lately established authority by the orders of his
master. Nor c«>uld wo feel assured from tho fickle and faithless charaotcr of many of these
Chieftains that our efforts in their behalf would bo cordially seconded by themselves.
Khoorshid Pasha appears to exercise an extraordinary influence over them and while they
remain lukewarm or indifferent to our endeavours to excite them to the maintenance of their
independence, it would require an extent of force to preserve our influence over them, which
it is not consistent with other political considerations for the Indian Government at preseut
to afford for this object.
13. The Maritime Chiefs on the coast of Arabia who subscribed the Treaty of 1820 nro
under certain obligations to the British Government, of wlrch such engagements as the Chief
of Bahrein has concluded with the Egyptian General are subversive, and it is manifest that,
if this General's progess were allowed to go unchecked and uncontrolled, all the other Chiefs,
including the Imauiu of Muscat, may be compelled to submit to similar conditions, whereby
their friendly counexion with the British Government would become dependent on the will
of another Power, and our long continued influence over them, which without infringing
their liberty and independence has bceu successfully directed to iusuie their prosperity, and
ta the suppression of their national feuds nnd acts of mutual violence nnd aggression, would
be changed for the grinding oppression of a foreign master from whom their oommerchd
intercourse with the British possessions in India would meet with little favor or encourage­
ment, The obligations of these Chieftains by treaty to the British Government, the strong
motives which the Indian authorities fed to maintain their benefloial influence over them,
whereby piracy and sluve dealing have been effectually suppressed, nod ti e insidious and
uufriendly attempts which the ruler of Egypt persists iu making to loosen those ancient ties
by which the British Government is connected with tho Arab tribes on the coast, are fit
subjects for the grave consideration of the British Cabinet, and it is fitting that the Indian
Government should susoeud any measures which may involve it in diroot hostility with that
of Egypt, till the receipt of instructions, consequent on the continued refusal or evasion of
Mahammud Ally to attend to the expostulations of Her Majesty’s Consul-General at Cairo,
to desist from his projects of conquest on the ooast of Arabia from the Home authorities.
14. In the meantime His Lordship deems it to be proper, and he trusts th-«t it will be
sufficient, that sucli Chieftains as eviuoe a determination to protect their independence against
the encroachment of tlm Egyptian forces, should be cordially assisted in the manner
arranged by Captain Honnell with ammunition, and that officer should oontinue to proclaim
the just and valid objections of the British Government to the aggressions and pretensions of
Khoorshid Pasha, and should consider himself to be fully authorized to extend his measures
for granting aid in quarters where encroachmeut is threatened in munitions of war, and in
provisions us may seem to him to be useful and requisite. The means for affording such
aid, including a pecuniary credit of fixed amount, yet such as may be reasonably supposed to
be adequate for the occasion, should be placed by the Hon’ble the Governor in Counoil at
Captain HonneU’s disposal, and I am directed to request that the necessary orders may be
forthwith issued for this purpose. It would be very desirable that our naval force in the
Persian Gulph should be increased to ihe extent suggested by the Resident, but the .probable
demands for ships of wur in other quaiters may .perhaps preelude the possibility of furnishing
this odditionai foiee at the present moment. A oopy of this desra’ch, with extracts from
Captain Henn*dl’s letters, will be furnished to His Excellency the Naval Commander-io-Chii f
from this office, aud HU Excelloncy will be informed that His Lordship considers -it t» bo
an objeot of grant and pressing national interest that if possible the reqnost of Captain
Ilennell for the presence in the Gulph of two additional ships of war should be complied

L