Page 319 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Pftrt VII—Chap. LXXI. 297
ostensibly os the advocate of his nephow’s causo, was really actuated by
motives of porsonal hostility. Lieutenant Kcmball felt assured therefore that
the slightest exhibition of indidorenco on his part would at onco seal the fate
of Llaji Abdul Mahomed, and undor theso oirouinstaucos ho doomed the
crisis sufficiently sorious to warrant his incurring a certain degree of respon­
sibility, in ordor to prevent matters proocoding to extremities and thereby
perhaps obviate embarrassment hereafter.
585. Accordingly aftor some little hesitation ho determined to try the
offoct of a friendly remonstrance upon the Sheikhs, and ho instructed the
ltesidoncy Mirza to address a note to each, warning him that his designs
had come to his knowledge that in the ovont of any disturbances beiug the con­
sequence, it would bo his duty to roport the circumstances to Her Majesty’s
Minister at Teheran, and that if they were siucore in their desire for tho return
of Sheikh Nasir their present conduct must assuredly only defeat the end they
had in view.
On tho following morning Sheikh Hussein Nasir sought an interview
with Lieutenant Kemball, and on that day and tho next, he and the Mulik-ul-
Tujjar and Sheikh Hussein Saleh either of their own accord or at tho Resident’s
invitation, paid visits to the Residency. On theso occasions Lieutenant Kemball
uniformly avoided tho discussion of subjects connected with tho polico or fiscal
regulations of the place involved in their dispute, and confined himself to
impressing upon the parties the necessity of maintaining tranquillity to which
end alone his mediation was directed, as a proof of his decided sympathy in
behalf of Sheik Nasir, (who during the latter years of his administration had
given general satisfaction); mention was mado of tho pains Major Hennell
had taken to have his case favorably represented to the Persian Ministers
at Tehran, as well as in other respects to forward his views, and it was
pointed out to the Sheikhs that any recourse to violence on their part, even
did better grounds exist than wore now urged by them, could not fail to be
prejudicial to tho best interests of Sheikh Nasir, and perhaps effectually bar
his return to his Government, as well as load to their own ruin. After some
conversation Lieutenant Kcmball succeeded in oliciting from each a promise
that he would not himself nor allow others to offer molestation to the
Mulik-ul-Tujjar, Sheikh Hussein Saleh at the samo time observing that in the
event of letters being received from his immediate superior at Shiraz,
authorizing proceedings ho would in the first instance give notice of their tenor.
586. On the other hand, Haji Abdul Mahomed assured Lieutenant
Kemball with apparent truth, that not the slightest foundation existed for
the charge which had been brought against him, that he had it was true
received autograph letters from the Prince Governor of tho Province (which
he presented for perusal) commanding him to give notice to tho merchants
to suspend payment of Custom House duties until further orders; but that
he had declined to act upon them, and finally that his interest as well as his
inclination prompted him to use his best endeavours for the return of Sheikh
Nasir to Bushire. As a proof of his sincerity he volunteered to draw out
an Istishhad Nameh, to be addressed to H. R. H. Bakrani Mirza praying
that the Sheikh might be invested with the usual Khelaat, and be re-appointed !
to his Government. On the night of the 14tli May the merchants quitted
tho dwelling of the Mulik Tujjar for their own homes, and the excitement
generally felt throughout tho town in consequence of these occurrences was
again to all appearances completely allayed.
587. In his subsequent despatch to Lieutenant-Colonel Farrant, dated
26th May 1849, Lieutenant Kemball reported that notwithstanding his promise,
Sheikh Hussein Nasir, however, could not bring himself to relinquish his intrigues
against the Mulik-ul-Tujjar. A friendly remonstranco from Lieutenant Kemball
being without effect, his hostility to that person manifested itself as before, in
open threats of violence, concluding by a direct message couched in obvious
terms, importing that his absence from the town would bo preferable to his
further stay, and that his early departure would be convenient. At tho same
time he took steps effectually to bar his escape by soa suborning his boatmen;
and as tho event proved, had laid his plans to intercept his exit also by the
town gate.