Page 257 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Port Vl-CJhap. XLVI. 235
will bo satisfactory to the family of (ho deceased Chief and at tho same timo preserve the
interests of His Highness tho Imam from tho injury which at present appears so eminently to
threaten thorn.
fi. In carrying out theso instructions you should bo careful to abstain in tho present state
of affairs at Muscat from anything like coercion and confine yourself to taking advantage o£
any opportunity which may present itself f*r acting as a friendly mediator between tho parties.
I am further desired to remind you that tho general policy of Government in the Persian
Gulf is to abstain from all interference in disputes by land, and that Government is chiefly
influenced in authorizing you to mediate in a friendly way betweon the parties in the present
disputo by tho apprehension not only that tho integrity of tho Imam's Arabian possessions
is in dangor, but that tho feud which has arisen between the families of Muscat and Sohar,
will lead to aggressions on sea and disturb the general tranquillity of the Persian Gulf.
These instructions, however, are conditional on any cuango in the stato of affairs which in your
discretion you may bo of opinion would change tho views of Government.
6. I am desired to annex for your information copy of a letter which I have this day
addressed to Her Majesty's Consul and the Hon'ble Company's Agent at Zanzibar and of its
onclosuro, together with a letter from tho Bight Ilon'ble the Governor to His Excellency
Syud Thowoynce, a. translation of which is appended for information. "You will be guided by
circumstances in delivering or withholding this letter from His Excollency.
7. You should avail yourself of the “Auckland " for making the tour of tho Gulf and
such other duties as site may bo required tc perform. An extract paragraph 2 from my letter
to the Commander-in-Chiof of tho Indian Navy is annexed for your information.
427. The Governor of Bombay also wroto to Syud Said who was at Zanzibar
counselling his immediate return to his disturbed possessions; they animad­
verted with the greatest delicacy upon the conduct of his son and representa­
tive ; they poiuted out the course that appeared most fitting for His Highness
to pursue;—they offered, in fact, every moral support in their power. His
Highness gave Nheed to the friendly warning, and repaired with haste to
Muskat. The well known character of Syud Said for moderation and justice
gave every room for hope that matters might once more be restored to peace
and quietness.
428. Syud Ghes was, however, called upon to restore the forts he bad
lately seized with tho assistance of his ally.Shaikh Sultan bin Saggar, on the
Batinah Coast. He refused, and hostilities were at once commenced. His
Highness proceeded to Khabura, with two ships and a number of Sur boats,
having previously despatched a force by land under the command of Syud
Soweyni to invest the place.
429. The campaign opened in September 1851, and began auspiciously
enough for the causo of His Highness: Kasbiah fell without a struggle;
Khabura was taken after a bombardment of two days* duration; and other
preparations were in course, when His Highness effected a meeting with Sultan
bin Saggar, and induced him to abaudon the cause of the Sohar Chief.
Deserted by the Joasmis, opposed by the combined forces of Syud Said
and the Sheikh of Debaye, Syud Ghes stood but little chance of success. He
turned, however, to hay, with much display of fierceness, and strove to meet
his opponents single-handed. They proved too strong for him : Shinas fell an
easy prey to the allied armies, and Syud Ghes was compelled to surrender.
Sohar was handed over to His Highness; Rastak and Hebi remained in
possession of Syud Ghes, who also received from the Maskat Government
a pension of 200 dollars per mensem,—a poor indemnity indeed for ail the
wrongs he had suffered.

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