Page 60 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

38
Part 11-Chap. XIV
expected to bojoinodby the Queen be would bo able to make them respeot us
without giving offence. The object of the Expedition to Ormus was to relievo
Minab besieged by the Bani M<5i-on and reoover Bandar Abbass. After that
Syud Bedor would proceed to Katif to confer with Saud who was expected to
come there for that purpose. And it was also said that in prosecution of the
former plan of the Uttubi’s throwing of the Wahabi yoke, Syud Bedor would
protoot them with floet whilst they remove their families from Zobara to
Bahoroin.
94. 8hould Syud Beder during the present expedition offer to givo the
English Bandar Abbass or a share of it and the Dutch factory, Captain Scton
thought it would be well to accept them as a station for our ships and as
that country producod sulphur, salt and copper in great abundance it would
defray all expenses: the Persians boing well affected to us there was
nothing to fear by land, whilst two or three ships would protect it by sea
against all the power of the Arabs j there was no place in the Gulph equal to
it for convenience in respect to trade; its revenue was Rs. 30,000 yearly,
whioh arose from chance caravans that came there in the cold weather.

(11) THE IMAM’S EXPEDITION AGAINST BANDAR ABB1SS, AND TIIE BLOCKADING
OF THE JOASM FLEET AT KISHM IN BOTH OF WHICH THE BRITISH TAKE
PART-PROPOSED PEACE WITH THE JOASMIS-1S05.
95. Captain Seton embarked in the Mornington on 2Sth May 1805 and sailed
Secret and Poll. to Barka, whence the Imam had sailed the night before, and on the
Dept. Diary 6th June found him lying at Kishm. The same night he stood over to Bandar
No. 171 of 1805, Abbass and landing his troops invested the place.
pp. 4067*4076.
Captain Scion's 96. His object in going there had been the relief of Minab, besieged by
letter dated the 25th Muila Hussan, but the latter had raised the siege before his arrival. Syud Beder’s
July 1605.
force was about a thousand men, and fifteen hundred Uttubi. With these he
was in hopes of forcing Muila Hussain to give back the Bandar, and restore
matters to the same state they were in the Sultan’s time, and sent the Uttubi
Sheikh to propose terms to this effect at Kishm. But not wishing for peace,
they brought back an insulting message and excusing themselves from remain­
ing longer with their vessels, as they were heavy loaded, set sail and left him.
97. As the only chance of restoring peace in the Gulf depended on res­
toring the Maskat power to the state it had been before the disturbances broke
out, it was necessary in Captain Seton’s opinion to got back the places seized by
the Beni Main Arabs: as all the neighbouring countries, Kishm, Ras-ul-Khimah,
i etc., drew their supplies of dates and grain from Minab, the possession of
that and the Bandar obliged them to depend on their owner for the neoessaries
of life particularly when he was strong at sea.
98. Captain Seton saw Syud Beder in the morning of the 6th June. He
had then driven the garrison within the walls and got possession of a house
near them, where he intended to raise a battery. His boats had made some
awkward attempts at battering the fort, but were so injudiciously placed as
to do no harm.
99. He left the management of his Bhips to Captain Seton and Captain
Gilmour. Having got 4 guns and 25 Europeans with the first and second
officer on board, they birthed her in a proper situation and on the 7th in the
morning opened fire on the fort with great effect, and being well seconded by
a dow nearer the shore, the enemy offered to surrender, if not relieved in two
days; but as it was more than a probability this would be the case, their offer
was rejeoted, and on the 8th in the evening Lieutenant Nathl. Gilmour, first
officer, having carried the Omjava on the opposite angle to the other vessel,
the garrison perceived they would have no shelter from her fire without
exposing themselves to that, from whioh they had first fled, and surrendered
at discretion.
100. On the 12th Khaji Salmoon arrived at the Bandar and reported
that Shaikh Nasir was employed against Eusheab. Captain Seton offered to
return with him, if assistance was required ; but the said Sheikh Nasir s force
was more than sufficient.