Page 285 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VH-Ohap. LVII. 203

CHAPTER IVII.

FEED BETWEEN TIMER MIR/A AND SIIEIK1I ABDEL
RASSEL. INTERFERENCE OF THE IMAM OF MASKAT,
1830-31.
489. In a letter dated 19th May 1880 to the Resident the Imam of
Maskat stated that he expeoted some
Yolurao ■— of 1830. trouble between Timur Mirza and Sheikh
Abdul Rassul, and the former would
probably ask for hi8 assistance in ships. The Imam requested to bo advised by
the Resident on the matter. Major Wilson wrote in roply—=•
That the Firmun Firmah of Pars had given Cazorun and all the country
between that place and Bushire into the hands of Sheikh Abdul Rassul, and was
said to have given Icklad, Izardwhost and Bowanat to his son Prince Timur
Mirza, and the Wazir of Pars Mirza Mahomed Ali was at Bushire settling this
affair.
The Resident did not think that it would in any Way be advantageous for
the Imam to send ships to assist Prince Timur. Such an action would only
create a great deal of confusion and would do much harm to His Highness’s
name, for there was not any sufficient reta6on that could be given for such a
warlike proceeding on his part, in favour of a person who was not the Chief of
that country. The Resident further assured His Highness that he has always
taken the greatest interest in his oonoerns, and never on any ocoasion had
offered advice that he did not believe would be for His Highness’s benefit.
489A, We find, however, the Imam of Maskat still continuing to meddle
in the affairs of Bushire. Ho appears to
Yolamo YII of 1831,
have written to the Firman Pirma at
Shiraz proposing that Sheikh Abdul Rassul should bo removed from Bushire,
and that one of his (Prince Governor’s) sons appointed Governor of Bushire (see
translation of a letter from the Prince of Pars to the Imam), For getting rid of the
Sheikh of Bushire, however, the Prince of Pars was anxious to secure the aid
of the Imam’s ships at Bushire. When the Resident learnt of thfcse intrigues he
strongly remonstrated against the Imam's meddling in Persian affairs, pointed
out to him that he had on behalf of His Highness only recently recovered all
the dues from the 8heikh of Bushire (20,000 krans).*
489B. The Governor of Bombay also wrote to the Imam to the following
effect:—
" Intelligence of the unfriendly disposition of Your. Highness towarde the Sheikh of
Bushire having been transmitted to this Government by Major Wilson, and I am induced, as
a sincere friend to Your Highness, very strongly to advise you against any rupture with that
Chief as also * against interfering with the u fairs of Pars or of any province of Persia. It is
the interest of Youf Highness to cultivate peace as much as possible, and only to have
recourse to war when your own safety is endangered, or tho safety of those who are really your
friends. Tho Sheikh of Bushire has satisfied! all your demands so you have no reason to declare
war against him; but should Your Highness be so wrought on 6y the counsels of those who
wish only to aggrandize themselves, and are not at heart your friends, Your Highness cannot
expect to be assisted by this Government in the way you were lately, when the Arab tribes
meditated an attack upon your territories; You are an old friend and ally of this Government,
who wish nothing more than your prosperity and rejoice to see you succeed in any honourable
enterprise, but in this whioh is against all prudence,-1 am sure you will meet with misfortune.
* As regard^ the advice given by the Bombay Government in respect of his claims against Bahrein, im
Chapter XLI-A.
As regards oar polioy in respect of hU ontering his claims in his rentod pewasiona in Persia* see Chapter
xLvin.