Page 265 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VI—Chap. XLIX. 243
informed mo that in tho affray two Dobnio men had been wounded and their property carried
off, and that ono of tbo crow of an Aboothabcc boat fishing in company had been likewiso
killed on tho occasion.
It is proper I should mention hero that on tho provioua day I had brought the abovo
matter to the 6orious notico of Sheikh Sultan bin Suggur. Though not, I said, constituting
a cate for my authoritativo interference, yet it bordered so closely upon maritime irregularity,
that 1 hoped the respect ho ontortained for tho favourable opinion of Government, to say
nothing of motives of good policy, would prompt him to afford all tho redress in his power.
Tho Joasmeo Chief was earnest in his promises of acquiescence, but from tho gcuoral tenor of
tho cxou608 by which tliov wero preluded, to tho effect that as members of an inimical tribe
the sufferers had no claim upon his sympathy, and moreover that the aggressors were for the
most part Bedouins, not subject to his authority, I could encourage little hope of their
fulfilment.
11. Tho advent of the Walmbec forco under Abdullah bin Fysul being referred to, Sheikh
Saeed bin Butye observed that their presence in Oman in such strength was opposed to tho
best interests of tho maritime tribes and could not fail sooner or later to be productive of
much embarrassment to the British Government; nothing was easier, he added, than for tho
Government to defeat their schemes by declaring the whole lino of coast from Aboothabcc to
Mussondom under its protection—with much more to tho same purpose, all tending to tho
query with which ho concluded. Whether if the Wahabee6 attacked his territories, or offered
to co-operate with either of his ambitious neighbours in such on enterprise he might count
upon its support and assistance? To this I replied, “ the neutrality generally observed by
Government in inlaud all airs seemed to suggest a sufficient answer. Tho Maritime Chiefs,
whether united or singly, might always assure themselves of its sympathy and even its
good offices when struggling f*>r their independence, but I could at prosont contemplate no
contingency which should move it to deviate from its declared policy. All I could promise
him was thnt, as heretofore, he should be safe from attacks from the side of the sea, or from
any hostile demomlration whatever upon that element; the above consideration, he answered,
had been one of his principal sources of anxiety, but being now satisfied that no change was
intended in this respect by tho new treaty, he did not despair by judiciously availing
himself of the jealousies of the Baniyas and Joasmce Chiefs of counteracting any plans which
might be formed for his subjection.
12. The language and demeanour of Sheikh Saeed bin Butye impressed me with his
character for activity and intelligence j though wanting perhaps the abilities of the late Sheikh
Muktoom, lie is said to possess all his energy, and will probably meet with equal success in
maintaining his position. In hie relations with Government I am happy to observo that he
has as yet exhibited the same readiness to fulfil his engagements, which distinguished liis
brother during the latter years of his life.
13. On the 9th The Clive reached Aboothabcc, when at my invitation, and in tho
absence of his brother, Humdon bin Thanoon came off to meet me. He informed me that
Sheikh Saeed bin Tbanoon’s return might be looked for daily, but that os his representative and
vested by him with full powers, if I did not choose to await his coming, he was himself
prepared to transact business in his behalf. Finding that my visitor suffered severely from
6ea-sickness, I did not detain him longer than sufficient to explain the objects of the proposed
treaty, and to prepare a provisional document for his signature vouching for his brother's
acceptance of its obligations, a precaution the necessity for which was, however, superseded
by the latter's arriving in person yesterday, and by his visiting mo this morning to affix his
seal to the new engagement. This he did without hesitation, and without any allusion to his
previously avowed designs for tho reduction of Debaie, on which subject his silence was to bo
accounted for by his having lately resumed friendly relations with the Chief of that'place.
14. 'With the exception of a complaint of the affair at “Khore Ghurabee," to which I
have referred to paragraph 10 of this report, tho rest of our conversation was entirely engrossed
by the proceedings of the Wahabees at Brymee. On arriving, he said, in their camp he found
that Abdulla bin Fysul, being correctly informed of the defenseless state of Batinah, had
made up his mind to invade the district, and had accordingly pitohed his demands upon Syud
Soweyneo at so high a rato, including therein a requisition for his personal attendance as
apparently to close the door to an accommodation. The approach of the Joasmee Chief was
then only awaited and a day had l>een fixed for the march of the coalesced forces. Matters
having gone thus far he wrote to Syed Soweynee recommending him to proceed himself and
to despatch all his available troops to Sohar, and to assume at least an attitude of resistance
in order to give weight to his mediation. He could see, he told me, that both the Joasmee
chief and'the Wahaboe Lieutenant were employing Syed Gez bin A zan as the instrument
to subserve their own ends, and he felt, therefore, that by holding a bold language towards
the latter, while he tendered bis personal security for a reasonable amount of tribute, it might
be possible to divert him from extreme measures. Much negotiation thereon ensued, but it was
not until ho declared his adherence to the Imaum's rarty, and begged, if the expedition were
finally determined upon, to bo permitted to withdraw, that his remonstrances seemed to make
any impression. The result, ns already known to me, was the deputation of himself and
Ahmed el Sirdeyree to Sohar for the purpose of effecting an amicable arrangement. He
regretted to add that, in spite of all his efforts, he was unable to obtain more favourable terms
tjian payment of arrears of tribute to the amount of 60,000 dollars as the price of a Treaty