Page 268 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

24G Part VI—Chap. L.

CHAPTER L.
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ATTACK ON G WAD UR BY A BALUCHI CHIEF. IIIS CLAIM
; FOR CUSTOMARY PRESENT.
448. Wo might fitly conclude this part of the Prdcis with an account of
an episode of the history of Maskat,
Volumo of 1817, p»go 160.
which has peculiar interest to us these
days. How Said Sultan obtained Gwndur has been mentioned in paragraph 58,
Chapter IX, above. In 1847 wo find Gwadur was attacked by a Baluchi Chief
to enforce a claim to the annual customary present. As this evidence of the
Baluchi Chief’s right is important, we shall quote Major Hennell’s report of
the affair, dated 24ith March 1842 :—
I hove the honor to report, for the information of the Honorable the Governor in Council
that about the commencement of the present year the Baeloochce Chief of Katish, named
Fukecr bin Mahomed, invested the Fort of Guadcl (a port belonging to the Imam of Mascat on
the Mekran Coast) with force of fcOO foot and 200 horse. The reason given for this
hostile proceeding was the omission on the part of His Highness Syed Sowenee, for the second
time, of the customary annunl present. After several attacks had been repulsed the
inhabitants finding themselves short of stores, ammunition, and provisions, in order to gain
time for a reference to Muscat, and the arrival of succours from that quarter, opened a
negotiation with Fukcer bin Mahomed, and agreed to pay him the 6ura of 200 Crowns after
the expiration of twenty days, provided he suspended hostilities in the meanwhile. These
terms were accepted by the Beloochee Chief, and the sieec was raised. On this intelligence
reaching Muscat, the brig Natarce was immediately despatched by the authorities, with a
reinforcement to the garrison of upwards of 100 men, and a sufficient supply of ammunition
and 6tores. The brig has since returned from Guadel, and reports that no further attempt
upon the place had been made by the Beloochee Chief.

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