Page 339 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part VIII—Chap. LXXVI. 317
612. On this the Government of India yielded, and agreed to the nomina­
tion of an Assistant Resident “ with reference to the extent of the duties likely
to he thrown upon the Residency in the Persian Gulf at tho present time.”
lieutenant Edmunds, an officer of the Bombay Army and an oxoollcnt
Oriental scholar, was appointed aecordingly.
613. In September 1841, tho abovo officer having died, tho Government
of Bombay selected Lieutenant A. 13. KembaLl to succeed him, without making
any special reference to tho provious discussion.
014. To this the Government of India replied on tho 29th of November
1841, pointing out that the present was a favourable opportunity for
ascertaining whether tho services of a fixed Assistant could not be dispensed
with: that perhaps tho Resident might not find it necessary to visit the coast,
except on extraordinary occasions, when the Residency 8urgcon might carry on
the current business and that the Chiefs of the Coast might bo communicated
with through tho Commodore in the Gulf.
615. To this tho Bombay Govornment replied on tho 31st of Dcccmbor 1841,
forwarding a communication from Captain Hennoll, tho Resident, and stating
that the situation of Assistant Resident “ could not with prudenoe and safety bo
abolished” though tho salary might be reduced from R817 to R700a month.
Captain Hennell’s viows on tho subject are given at some length in his letter,
from which the following is an extract:—
“ Of tho extent of the Native correspondence of tho Residency in tho Persian Gulf, it may
bo sufficient to remark, that the surveillance of the political authority extends over upwards of
1,600 miles of coast inhabited by a variety of tribes, and governed by different Shaiks with
most of whom a constant communication is maintained, not merely referring to the suppres­
sion of piracy but also to their own intricate relations and affairs. The translation of this
correspondence into English, Persian, and Arabic, must necessarily occupy so much of the
time of a functionary not fully conversant with the languagesof tho countries; and the political
bcariugs of the various aud conflicting interests on tho shores of the Persian Gulf, ns to
interfere materially with his correspondence with tho Government, as well as with those
political authorities with whom he is iu communication.
“ In the above observations I have supposed tho Resident to be in some measure conver­
sant with the Arabic and Persian languages, hut cases might occur (as in the instances of
Colonel Stannus and Major Wilson) in which that functionary might be eutirely unucquainted
with them. Under 6uch circumstances the proseuce of an officer qualified to act as an
interpreter would be absolutely necessary. During the period the two gontlemen above
referred to conducted the political affairs of the Gulf, the correspondence was not of half the
extent it is at present, but I cau state with confidence that while I filled tho post of their
assistant, the duties of interpreting, translating, copying secret letters, together with the
general superintendence of the accounts, and the charge of the treasury, fully occupied my
time.
“Taking a general view of the subject, I cannot but think that in tho Persian Gulf
where the general, sudden and sometimes, fatal effects of the diseases prevalent must be con­
stantly borno in mind, it is greatly to the interest of Government there should be permanently
attached to the Residency an officer, whoso qualifications as a linguist and acquaintance
with the general line of policy hithorto pursued, and whose knowledge of the relations
existing between the different Maritime Chiefs of tho Gulf have been sufficiently matured
in the subordinate Office of Assistant to enable him in caso of the demise or unavoidable
departure of his superior, to conduct tho important duties of the Residency, without incurring
the risk of the Government being seriously compromised by the possible want of judgment or
local information, of tho individual into whose hands these duties might otherwise fall.
“ With reference to the expediency of the Resident dispensing with his t mrs of the Arabian
Coavt, I would beg with the greatest respect to submit my opinion that at least one visit to e
Maritime Chiefs in tho course of the year is indispensable. It is the frequent personal com­
munication of the British functionary with the Arabian Shaiks, that a great part o is
influence has been acquired, and it is to that influence the establishment of the Maritime iruc ,
which has been pl-oduotive of such happy results, and the introduction of the different engag -
ments so materially modifying the slave trade, may he attributed. Were the Resident o give
up his tours altogether th* Arabian Chiefs would consider themselves and their interests neg­
lected, and tho consequences of such an impression are too obvious to require we 1Dff UP. *
On ordinary occasions, communications to tho Maritime Sheiks may be, and arc y*
transmitted through the Commodore in the Gulf, but in cases involving P?]^ca‘ inte^e8H
requiring close and patient investigation, I consider that tho presence of either to e
or a confidential Attache is almost indispensable.”
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