Page 262 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

210 Part VI—Chap. XLIX.

CHAPTER ALLY.

PERPETUAL TREATY OF PEACE SIGNER BY THE PIRATE
CHIEF, IS53.

444. In view of tho lnpso of the period for which the truco of 18*13 was
ngrcod to, Captain A. Komball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, corresponded
with tho Trucial Chiefs on tho advisability of continuing the truce for a
limited or agreeing to a perpetual peace. The replies ho received are
summarised and his views expressed in his letter to the Bombay Government
dated 16th September 1862 :—
I havo accordingly tho honor to submit herewith, for tho information of the Right
Iion'blo tho Governor in Council, translations of
1 at 4.
Sheik of Rnsulkhymab. tho communications I have already received from
„ of Aboothabo. the subscribing parties (the Sheikh of Amulgavino
„ of Ucbaio. excepted) from which a judgment may be
„ of Kjmaum.
formed of the general sense of the Arabian Chiefs
and their intention as to the renewal of tho existing engagement, or tho substitution of a
peace in lieu of it; you will observe that the minor Sheikhs of Ejmaum and Debaio declare
their willingness to be guided entirely in the decision of this question by tho wishes which
Government may be pleased to express regarding it, while those of Rusul Kbyraah and
Aboothabu propose to defer its discussion until my visit to the coast on the next occasion.
2. 1 think it not improbable that the more powerful Joasmce and Beniyas leaders at onr
expected interview may with a show of earnestness seek to take credit to themselves for
relinquishing ono means of coercing their weaker neighbours, to whose allegianco formerly they
sometimes laid claim, as well as for abandoning a privilege they w ould declare to be so
consistent with Arab honor of lending naval aid to relations or allies who may not bo
parties to their common agreement; and more particularly may Sheik Sultan bin Suggur refer
to bis superior power of retaliating at sea injuries which may be inflicted upon his subjects by
his rival Saeed bin Tahnoon on land. These Chiefs, however, will bo found, I believe, to
bo no less accessible to reason now* than heretofore. Their arguments would be fairly met
by the considerations that the issue at war must at all times be doubtful more especially of
hostilities of an aggressive nature which would inevitably give rise to a confederacy against
tho assailant—that interference in the quarrels of foreign belligerents (by ranging them as
auxiliaries on opposite sides) must have the effect of course of bringing them into collision
which each other, while a restraint freely adopted by all could under no circumstances affect
their individual honor and finally that a superiority of maritime resources with reference
to the legitimate avocations of the Arabian tribes must imply at the same time a greater
vulnerability to the attacks of an enterprizing enemy.
8. In anticipating thus their affected scruples, I should observe, tbat if adduced st
all they would be so equally whether the matter to be determined were the renewal of the
truce for a limited period or the establishment of a peace in perpetuo; but I have no
hesitation in expressing an opinion that the advantages they have experienced from the
maintenace of maritime tranquillity in the security of the pearl fishery, and in the 6afe
prosecution of their trade in all quarters during the past 18 years are too highly appreciated
Sheik Snlun bin Sugcor in I837,bi«n.flf proposed b£ »U the Chiefs concerned to permit of their
tie •nbititutloD of 4 permanent pe«co for the mari- offering a serious objection to whichever arrange-
tin* trace—tide letter from Officiating Resident ment may bo preferred by Government. Thero is
GoverDocot Ho- 83 of 16.8 Scpumb., 1837. howevcr Jonc ctmsjderation involving the continu-
ance or cessation of their annual presents to which, as having attracted notice in 1843, I
would beg leave to recall your attention. The practice of bestowing the gifts in question

during the periodical visits of tho Resident to the piratical coast is, I submit, both expedient
both
exped
is,
to
the
piratical
I
coast
submit,
dent
dica
l
ig
the
perio
visits
Resi
tho
of
and desirable as furnishing, as well the occasion to remind tho Chiefs severally of t their
obligations, as constituting a mark of tho satisfaction of Government witlj their due
observance, and I respectfully hope therefore that I may be authorized to announce their
intended distribution for the future to all those who during the preceding year may have
faithfully acted up to their engagements.
4. Presuming that the success of the ten years’ truce now about to expire is deemed
to be conclusive as overruling the objections which during the previous years of its existence,
it was supposed might operate against its further extension, and as recommending now the
establishment in its stead of a permanent peace, I beg to remind you that some modification
of the terms of the original Agreement would be necessitated by such a change, to which
the prior confirmation of Government would appear called for. In transmitting herewith
English and Arabic drafts of an am ended treaty which I have framed to answer the object
contemplated aud which I propose should be presented to the Arabian Chiefs in the event o
meeting the approval of the Right Hon'ble the Governor in Council.