Page 67 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part II—Chap. XV. 45
that would have been hard on the poorest of the inhabitants, and created an
odium against the British name which did not generally exist, many of the
small villages on both sides of the Gulf having been Compelled to join in
piratical pursuits.
123-A. As the TJltubis bad never committed any depredations against our
trade, even at times when iho Jonsmis were enriching themselves by their
frequent captures of British vessels, tho commanders determined on not attack­
ing Kh<>r Eassan.
124. So far wo have briefly narrated the • events of the expedition against
tho Jonsmis in the years 1809 and lttlO ;
• Seo Bombay Boleciion* XXIV, pn«ro 305; an(j n0\v pr0eeed to quote the various
Indian Navy by Low-Chaptor X. despatches showing tho policy that guided
Government in these operations.
125. Tho following instructions wore issued to tho Commanders of the Poll. Dept. Diary
expedition, J. Wainwright,’ Esquire, Captain of H. M.*s Ship Chiff'onne, and No-
Commanding the sea force of the Expedition destined to the Gulph of Persia,pp’
and Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, Commanding H. M.*s 65th Regiment and the
land force of the Expedition destined to tho Gulph of Persia ;—
The Governor-General of India having determined as you are already apprized to under­
take an expedition, in view to tho destruction of the piratical powers in the Gulph of Persia,
and procured for this purpose tho co-operation of part of Mia Majesty’s naval force in India
and committed the equipment of the land force to proceed with it, to the Government of this
Presidency as well as the general arrangoment and dispatch of tho armament in consideration
of the vicinity of this port to tho intended place of operation ; it is in consequence intended to
furnish y««u with the following general instructions for your guidance entrusting to you to
apply their spirit and purport wherever the letter of them may not be found sullicieutly
opposite.
2. It may bo useful briefly to premise who these pirates are, and with whom they are
chiefly connected and by whom supported; as well as to designate who are their principal
opponents.
S. Tho Province of Oman comprehend tho south-easterly region of Arabia, extending
from Cape Rassulhud on the south, to the territory of Zobara on the north-eastern Coast and
is divided into two Principalities. The Capital of the first of which is Postack and of tie
other Seer or Julfar, of the former, the principal seaport is Muscat and of the latter Paisul
Khima. But although Rostack bo tho ancient capital of tha'- part of Oman, known to
Europeans under the denomination of tbe territory of Muscat, its iuland situation rendering
it of less consequence than the last mentioned seaport, the Hon'ble Company’s communi­
cations have always been carried on with the Chieftain of tbe latter, as if he were the
superior of the whole territory, whereas in strictness ho may rather owe obedience to the real
Imaum, whoso ordinary residence is at Kostack. But as all the British Treaties and engage­
ments have been wiih that member of the family in possession of the seaport of Muscat and
who also assumes title of Imaum, and is moreover in possession of Zanzibar on the Coast of
Africa and of Ormuz, Goombroon, part or the whole of the Island of Kishm, and other
territories on the Persian Coast; which he holds in farm or by sufferance from the Persian
Government, all. your intercourse must be with him. The name of the present lmauiu of
Muscat is Sayed Saced, tho younger 6on of the late Sultan, who having been a prince of great
activity and judicious management maintained not only his own dominions in good order, but
overawed the licentious spirit of his maritime rivals. The principality of Sur, who under their
known designation of Joasmeo have ever more or less mixed the practice of piracy with some
degree of addiction to commercial pursuits, and haviny of late years become willing, or co»«-
trained, converts to the reformed hlahomedan faith of the Wahdbce who has overrun their
country, they h we more recently availed themselves of that want of coercive control, so
beneficially exercised over them by the late Sultan, to have carried their piratical depredations
to a height scarcely ever before known ; appearing to spare or respect no vessels, whom they
have the power of mastering, whether Arabian, Turkish or Brit:sh, having of the latter des­
cription captured, within the last two years, no les9 than three, viz., the Sylphe Cruizer, which
was taken before they could carry her into port, and on the 3rd of July 1808 the Ueria Dowlut,
Captain Flemming, in June 1809, and the Minerva, Captuin Hopwood, both of which may
probably still be found lying in tho harbour of Rassui Khima, if one or both of them should
not have been intermediately broken up.
4. The immediate or rather ostensible Chieftain of Rassui Khima is Sheik Sultan, the
son of Sheik Sugcr ; but there is reason to believe that his authority is not sufficient to restrain
these unprincipled depredations influenced and dominated over as they are by delegates of the
"Wahabee who is said to receive a fifth of their plunder, could h>s own inclination be even
depended on j under somo disgust arising probably out of these circumstances, this Sultan
deserted Rassui Kliyma in the course of last year, and retiring to a neutral territory, made
overtures to Syed Saeed of MusQat, who is in a state of war with the Joasmees, to reconoil j