Page 291 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Port VII—Chop. LXI.
2G9

CHAPTER EAT.

INTEIt-TRIBAL DISPUTES ON TIIE COAST OF FARS AND
POLICY IN REGARD TO INTERFERENCE BY TIIE BRITISH
OR BY THE TRIBES ON TIIE ARABIAN COAST, 1S37-1S3S.

016. Tlio policy which tho British wero disposed to pursue in regard to
inter-tribal disputes on the coast of Fars
Volumo 78-068 of 1338-39.
can be judged from the correspondence
printed below:—
(i) Alleged seizure of Toicanah loot by the people of Charrah. Sultan bin Saggar's proposal to
interfere.
Translation of a letter from Sultan bin Saggar to the Resident, datod tho 2nd February 1839.
lou arc aware that in all cases where cither my subjects or dependents are injured or
oppressed by others, it is incumbent upon me, for ihe due preservation of my reputation, to
rice up and punish the aggressors; but as I wish to do nothing without your concurrence, I
now beg to acquaint you, that the inhabitants of Tuwana aro our relatives and friends, descended
from the same tribe and tho same kindred, and have like the people of Lingah always been
closely united with us, and although occasionally trifling causes of complaint might arise
between us, yet these have scarcely interrupted the connection so long subsisted. Now you
must know that at the present time tho people of Charrack have surprised and seized a small
fort oalled Nukul Ameer belonging to Tawonah, although these two places were then at peace.
As soon ns tho complaints of the latter reached me ray first intention was to assemble all my
friends both in Pars and Oman and proceed to their assistance, but as I do not like to
embark in any proceeding which may appear doubtful to you, I have considered it necessary
to acquaint you with this affair. This is a very serious matter to us, and I am sure that
it will lead to formidable results. I have therefore to request that you will kindly do ono
of the two things, viz., either to send a person to tho people of Charrack with a recom­
mendation to restore the fort and desist from such irregular proceedings for the future, or
else that you will abstain from all interference, and permit me to assist my friends in obtain­
ing satisfaction. For God's sake adopt ono or other of these alternatives. I am guided in all
my actions by your will. My subjects and dependents are injured and oppressed both in Oman
and Fars, as if I did not possess the means and power of punishing the aggressors. In former
days all the inhabitants of Fars and Oman were afraid of my power, but now that they see that
I am guided by tho views of the Sirkar, every one behaves just as ho pleases towards me. I
beg to be favoured by an early reply.

Draft of a letter from tho Resident to tho Snltan bin Saggar, dated the 2nd March 1837.
Your letter of the 25th Shewal has been received and its contents understood. Touching
the dispute between the people of Charrack and Tawanah, I understand that the affair has
been settled by the interference of Ahmed Khan the Chief of Eustuk. You must however
be aware that under any circumstances the British Government cannot permit the Arabian
Chiefs to interfere themselves in the internal quarrels and dissensions of the residents on the
coast of Fars. The inhabitants of Tawanah, Charrack and Lingah are all subjects of Persia, and
if they conceive that they are aggrioved by their neighbours, it is proper that they should refer
their cases to their own Government for redress, as long as they choose to reside in tho Persian
Territory, they must be subject to the laws of that country, nor can their friends on the
Arabian sido of the Gulf bo permitted to interfero in any way in their intestine disputes. This
system has always been acted upon, and although not long a"0, Sheikh Abdullah-bin-Roshid
of Amulgovin wished to take troops over to Charrack to assist the Chief of that place, he was
not permitted to do 60, Yon will therefore see the propriety of abstaining from all iuterferenco,
03 you may rest assured that if you attempt to send over a force to the Persian Coast for the
purpose of assisting thp people of Towanah, that you will incur the displeasure of the British
Government.
(m) Blunder of Cpngoons loafs by Sheikh Fulfan of Atselad, 1838. The Resident's representation to the
JPrince of Fars.
Draft of a letter from Captain S. Honnell, Officiating Resident in tho Persian Qulf, to HU Royal Highness the
Firman Firma of Fan,
In doing myself the honour of acquainting Your Royal Highness with my return to
Bushiro from India and my having resumed charge of my duties as Officating Resident
I take the opportunity of submitting to the notice of Your Royal Highness tbe subject of
tho enclosure now transmitted.