Page 249 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VI—Chap. XLV. 227

from Egyptian captivity. The Nejdeans flocked to thostandard of thorightful
Prince, and in June 1843 Abdullah-bin-Suncyan was forced to surrender at
discretion.
413. In July 1843 Feysal sent a messongor with letters to tho maritime
and inland Sheikhs of Oman, intimating his intention of sending an army
under Syud bin Mutluk, on tho termination of the hot weather, for tho
purpose of bringing that provinco under bis authority. In consequence of
this throat the Chiefs of tho inland fort of Bcroymah applied for tho aid of
tho British Government.
*' They wero informed, in roply, tlmt tho communications formerly entered into with
thorn by tho British Government had references 6olely to the advance of the Egyptian
troopB, and the connection subsisting betweon His Highness Mohammed Ali Pasha with
Nejd; but that these circumstanooa being now altogether changed, and the impending
danger removed by tho departure of tho troopi under Khurshed Pasha from that province, it
was now tho intention of the British Government to withdraw from all interference in the
internal affairs of Arabia/'
414. At this very time too tho Resident received a communication from
the Amir himself, expressive of a desire for tho renewal of the amicable
relations which had existed between his father Turki and tho British
Government. Proper rosponse was made to this demonstration of amity,
and the Amir was further informed that tho solo object of tho British Gov­
ernment in this quarter was the suppression of plunder and bloodshed on tho
seas, and the security of all well-disposed inhabitants on the shores of the Gulf.
415. In September 1843 tho Bombay Government (at that time headed
by Sir George Arthur) enquired of the Government of India what policy
should be pursued towards Feysal. The Bombay Government considered
that as long as the Chief remained within his former possessions no inter­
ference would he necessary, but it nevertheless doubted whether he should be
allowed to obtain a preponderating influence at Bahrein and with the Arab
Chiefs who were under treaty engagements to us. To this reference the
Governor-General (Lord Ellenborough) in Council replied simply that it
was “not at present necessary or expedient to interfere with the proceedings
of the Chief/*
416. In December of the 8ame year Amir Feysal interposed in a quarrel
between two rival claimants for the
Wahabi interference at Bahrein.
Chief8hip of Bahrein, and having secured
the victory for his own protege, appropriated the fort of Demaum as the
reward of his assistance. On the 26th August 1844 the Bombay Government
Britieh policy. renewed its enquiry “as to the policy
which should be pursued in the now
certain event of Amir Feysal, the legitimate Wahabi Ruler, extending his
authority over the Chiefs of Oman, and especially if he endeavoured to
effect this object by 6ea.” It was pointed out that Feysal’s proceedings
might ultimately endanger our relations with Oman and the martime Arab
Chiefs, and so tend to resumption of piracy. And the letter concluded as
follows:—
w It does not therefore appear to the Governor in Council unworthy of consideration
whether the Resident in the Persian Gulf should not at once endeavour to effect an arrange­
ment with Amir Feysal, ratifying and securing existing engagements at sea. In other
words, that, as the price of forbearance on the part of the British Government, this Chief
should become a party to its maritime engagements, whereby commercial interests may be
secured.
“ As the not improbable event 6f the Wahabi Ruler enoroaohiug ou the possessions of
His Highness the Imam of Maskat, an old ally of the British Government, is a contingency
which ought to be provided for, this Government is desirous of being favoured with the
sentiments of the Right Hcn'ble the Governor-General in Counoil on this point/'
No official reply was issued to this application, but the view adopted
by the Government of India was evidently that suggested in Lord Hardinge’a
brief remark on the haok of the letter, vis,—“ No case for interference has
arisen/*
# 417. Early in the year 1846 Syud bin Mutluk came to Brymi from
Nejd and at once all the neighbouring Arab tribeB, inspired perhaps as much
2 o