Page 254 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

232 Part VI—Chap. XLVI.
Humood, by his confidential slave at the instigation of his father Hamood bin
Aznu, and the establishment of the latter in his former authority at Sohar.”
422. In 1849 Syud Soweyni arrived off Sbinas in his frigate Caroline and
entered into communication with tho Arab
Reported 8. C. No. 61. dated 3rd October 1860.
Chief, Sheik Saud ibn Tatimun, regard­
ing tho projected scigo of Kevmi. His Dighuoss at tho samo time opened
a friendly communication with the Chief of Sohar, and a mooting wns agreed
upon between them, with tho objeot of combining their frioudly relations and
removing all doubts and suspicions between them. Accordingly His Highness
landed at Shinns and with an escort of 4CO horse and camelmen proceeded
to Nuduwah, a place between Shinns and Sohar, whore Syud Hamud met him
with 500 horse. During tho interview which followed, every appearance of
friendship was exhibited on both sides, and a Treaty which had been negotiated
in 1839 at Mnskat through the mediation of tho British Resident between His
Highness the Imnum and tho Chief of Sohar, was confirmed. The Governor of
Masknt after having made some handsome presents to the Chief of Sohar, and
having promised that ho should receivo the same allowance as had been
granted to him by his father, His Highness tho Iuiaum returned to Sbinas, and
Syud Hamud returned to Sohar.
422A. On the 3rd March tho Chief of Soliar, though naturally of a
suspicious disposition, was induced to quit his stronghold, and accompanied
by his confidential Agent Merhum, his slaves, and an escort of ten followers,
embaikod at Sohar, and joined Syud Sowyeni then at Shinas, on board the
Frigate Caroline for the purpose of concluding tho negotiations, commenced at
their first interview. There he remained for five days the favoured and
honoured guest of Syud Soweyni, but on being pressed to unite with the forces
of Maskat and Abuthabi in an attack on Hey mi and on his declining to do so
in consequence of his connection with the Abbu Khuiban tribe who are
opposed to that design, the Governor of Maskat rashly determined to seize
Syud Hamud, and afterwards to march with his forces to Sohar, and endeavour
to capture the place by a coup de main. His Highness however was even
ashamed to seize his guest on board his own vessel, and persuaded Syed
Hamud to land for a few' days for change of scene, but the Chief’s suspicions
were from some cause excited, for he sent off his Agent Merhum to Sohar.
422B. On the 10th March Syud Soweyni and Syud Hamud landed at
Shinas, and took up their abode in tents. The discussion about the latter
uniting in the hostilities contemplated against Keymi was renewed, but
without effect, and Syud Soweyni having withdrawn to another tent on the
pretext of holding a private interview with Syud flillal, on a preconcerted
plan, the slaves of His Highness seized and bound the unfortunate Chief of
Sohar, and conveyed him on board the frigate. His Highness then ordered his
troops to march by land on Sohar and himself proceeded to that place in his
frigate. On his arrival before Sohar, he compelled Syud Hamud to address
letters to his son, lo Saick bin Saud, and to his confidential Agent, directing
them to surrender the fort to the Maskat Army, but with true Arab spirit
they replied that they regarded Syud Hamud as a dead man, refused to give
up their fort and prepared for a vigorous resistance, and at their summons
large reinforcements from the neighbouring tribes entered Sohar. Shortly after
Syed Gez the brother of Syud Hrnnud came with 100 men from Rustak, and
the seige commenced by sea and land, Syed Soweyni commanding the town
from his frigate which was returned from the fort.
4220. Immediately on his arrival at Sohar, Syud Hamud’s brother
addressed a letter to our Resident in the Persian Gulf, from which the follow­
ing is an extract: “My brother Syed Humood bin Azaain’s trust and
confidence arose from the treaty which was specially made by your own hands,
was drawn out by you in writing, and which contained conditions still
remaining in force. At this present if you approve of what has taken place,
this is the decree of God. Humood is only one man. Should he die or be
killed, do not complain of what will after this take place between us and
them as we have informed you of what has happened. This attach lias been
made from the sea. ” This appeal was dated tiie 15 th March, and on the 19th
he despatched a second letter much to the same purport, appealing lor the

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