Page 289 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VII—Chap. LX. 267

CHAPTER IX.

REMOVAL OF SHEIKH NASIR AND HIS REINSTATEMENT AS
GOVERNOR OF BUSHIRE, NOVEMBER 1830.
COG. Soon after these events wo find 8heikh Nasir, son of Sheikh Abdul
Rassul as Govornor of Bushire.
507. In his letter No. 00 of 9th November 1837, the Resident, however,
reported that Sheikh Nasir the Governor
Volumo 84-068 of 1837-1838, p. 236.
of Bushire had proceeded to 8hiraz on the
22nd September with the view, as generally believed, of induoing the Shiraz
Government to allow him to postpone the payment of certain arrears due by
him, and, if possible, to procure a reduotion of the sum in which he was
assessed.
608. After various reports sometimes favourable, at other times adverse,
as to the progress of his affairs, and his hopes of being reinstated in his Gov­
ernment, the matter appeared to be at last decided by the arrival in Bushire
on the 1st instant of a person named Mirza Mahomed Riza, representing him­
self to be invested with the Government of the place, full powers to examine
into the affairs of Sheikh Nasir and his treatment towards those who had been
subject to his authority and also to call to his aid the adjoining tribes should
any opposition bo offered to his plaoing himself in a position to exercise the
functions of his office.
609. Previous however to the Mirza’s arrival at Bushire the extent of his
authority and power were not weil known, and ostensibly he was only the
bearer of an honorary dress for Sheikh Abdulla the Acting Governor but the
Sheikh, as well as the other relation of Sheikh Nasir, looked upon the Khelat,
and the ceremonies that must have been gone through on his being invested
with it, as a mere scheme for getting possession of his person, and sending him
a prisoner to Shiraz. This he therefore determined to guard against, also, if
possible, hold his position and with this view, on hearing of Mirza Mahomed
Jliza's approach, he endeavoured to colleot a few of the Beni Hajar tribe and
people of Rohilla, as those best disposed towards bis family, with the intention
of opposing his entrance into the place; but either the call was disregarded,
or it having been discovered that the Mirza was supported by the Chiefs of the
Tangistun and Damulc tribes, both unfriendly, if not inimical to Sheikh
Nasir, any attempt at resistance was considered useless, and all thoughts of
it relinquished.
610. Accordingly Sheikh Abdulla and his brother Sheikh Hussain with a
few attendants (their families having been already sent to the island of
Karrak as a place of security) embarked on the 1st instant on board their
vessels consisting of two Batils, one Bugla and one Begarah manned with
about fifty individuals, and lying at anchor in Bushire roads. The Sheikhs
however in thus leaving the place did so with great reluctance and would still
willingly entertain hopes of regaining their position, and with a view to this
object, and the idea, however, ill-judged, of effecting the liberation of Sheikh
Nasir, who was now supposed to be a prisoner at Shiraz, they determined to
molest the trade of the port by levying a tax (a blockade with their force not
being thought of) on such vessels as might wish to enter, and thus render
unproductive this source of income to the Shiraz Government. In pursuance
of this soheme they intended to send one or more of their vessels and intercept
the Colonel Netoall, which was known to be near at hand.. On this the Resident
addressed a note to Sheikh Abdulla, (1) intimating to bim that this oould not
be permitted, and also recommending as a friend to release some boats whioh were
said to be detained by him. On the occasion a letter (2) was also addressed to
Commodore Pepper requesting that the movements of the Sheikh’s vessels
might be watohed ; for however desirable it might be to avoid all direct inter­
ference, and if possible keep on friendly terms with all parties, it was con-
■idered desirable to protect the property of British subjects and vessels sailing
under the British flag as in the instance of the Colonel Netoall.
2m