Page 253 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VI—Chap. XLVI* 231
gone through, ho turned to Hamud and dcolarcd that be would solemnly
pledge both himself and bis children to preserve the conditions of this Treaty
inviolate,—that the presont occasion was not ono in which an insignificant
Arab Chief was acting as modiator, but that a British officer was officiating
in that capacity, agreeably to the instructions of bis own Government, and
therefore both parties ought to waive something of their claims upon each other
and come to an amicable settlement; that with reference to the demand for an
annual income, ho could not think ot' binding himself down to any condition
on such a point, but that when once the founda.tious of friendship were laid,
Syud Hamud might rest nssurod that ho would treat him with even greater
kindness than ho displayed towards his own sons.
421B. The day succeeding this interview Syud Hamud accepted the terms,
with an additional article stipulating that His Highness the Imaum should
support him if attacked by enemies. Another interview occurred at which
Syud Hamud apologized to the Imaum, for the warmth he had displayed at
the first meeting and expressed his desire to bo henceforth considered by His
Higbuess as a faithful and devoted servant, to which His Highness having
returned a gracious reply, and copies of the Treaty having been interchanged,
the Resident placed the hand of tho Sohar Chief in that of the Imaum, which
he took and pressed in a respectful manner. This action (which is considered
by the Arabs esseutial to the ratification of any agreement) appeared to remove
the remaining feelings of unkindness on both sides. The Resident further
reported that the conclusion of this Treaty gave general satisfaction to the
inhabitants of Maskat and Sohar, but that some members of the Imaum’s
family and especially his nephew Mahomed bin Salim were displeased with it,
but nevertheless lie hoped that respect for the mediation of the British
Government would produce a spirit of forbearanoo on both sides, especially if
the Chief of Sohar married one of the Imaum’s daughters, which it was
reported he was anxious to do. The Resident’s proceedings were considered
judicious and satisfactory, and were approved of by Government.
421C. Shortly after the conclusion of this Treaty, the Chief of Sohar
evinced his trust and confidence in the British Government by repairing to
Bombay, whore he was received with all proper respect and honour. As far
as we know the Chief had, except on one occasion, faithfully performed his
part of the coutraot. In fact in 184-1, when Syf bin Salim rebelled against
the Imaum, and seized a strong fort belonging to His Highness, the Chief of
Sohar afforded good proof of his sincerity, by cordially uniting with the
Maskat authorities against the rebel Chief, who in consequence returned to
his allegiance.
421D. The only formal engagement we have entered into with the Chief
of Sohar is one for the suppression of slavery. On the 22nd June 1848, the
Resident reported that he was the only maritime Chief in Arabia, who had not
come under our arrangements for the suppression of this infamous traffic.
The Government on the 9th September 1848 approved of his being invited to
join in these arrangements and His Majesty’s Government likewise intimated
their desire that he should do so. Accordingly the Resident having proceeded
to Sohar in May 1849, found that the old Chief Syud Hamud had from some
cause, not then apparent, retired into the interior, leaving his son Syud Syf
and his brother Ghez (.le facto in authority at Sohar. After communicating
with Syud Hamud and having been informed by him that “ all the places to
whioh the proposed Treaty related were in the hands of his son Syud Syf,” the
Resident succeeded in inducing the latter to enter into a Treaty for the
suppression of the slave trade, similar to those concluded with the other
maritime Chiefs of Arabia, and this was approved of by Government on the
4th August 1849. From subsequent information however it is evident that
Syud Syf must have usurped his father’s authority, for on March 18th last
Government received a report from tho Resident to the effect that “ Sheikh
Syud Humood bin Azan (who had been set aside from the Government of
Sohar by his son Sheikh 8yf) had entered the town by night, and having
put his son to death, had repossessed himself of his former authority in that
plaoe.” In a letter, however, dated the 25th March, from the Native Agent
at Shargah and only just received, he reports “ the murder of Sheikh Syf bin