Page 69 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part II— Chap. XV. 47
of TTis Majesty's loyal subjects ; and whom in pursuance of the happily cemented friendship
between the two States, it is on the contrary the desire of the linglish nation to cherish and
protect and promote tho prosperity of, to the greatest practicable extent, on which subject
you aro moreover furnished with tho triplicate of a letter from tho (iovernor of Bombay to tho
Prince of Shheraz, which it is left to you to forward or to make such of as circumstances may
point out the expediency of; as well as of its copies in English and t'ersian, which are likewise
forwarded for such local communication or distribution os you may find conducive to tho gieat
object of precluding misconstruction to, and insuiing satisfaction with, tho course of your
proceedings against tho freebooters in question.
8. A similar application has been preferred for tho co-operation of tho Turkish Cavern-
ment in the objects of tho expedition, should you therefore rceoivo any communication from
tho Resident at Bassora connected with that application, you will not fail to attend to tho
same in as far as tho nature of it may be found compatible with the general powers with
whioh you aro vested by these instructions ; considering also that His Maje.-ty’s and the Signior'6
(itc) Governments being now restored to a fortunate stato of harmony and friendship, it will
be tho more desirable to cultivate the good-will of tho Turkish Government during the course
of your opeiatioup.
9. Tbo unfortunate loss by death of Captain Seton at a period so critical as the present,
when ho might have been depended on fora varieiy of local information which must now
remain defective, renders it necessary to caution you to consider the particulars advened to in
tho preceding observations, as affording only some geueral views for your guidance, amounting
to a line of indication for your own more satisfactory enquiries on tho spot; sin* e in several
respects, local circurmtanoes may have altered after the | eriod our latest advices from Arabia.
But as enough has been said to intimate to you the several points of primary attainment in tho
extirpation of the means of future annoyance by the pirates; the Governor in Council places
the utmost reliance on your approved zeal and ability to diicct the application of the force in
the mott advantageous manner, towards the easiest and most effectual acquisition of its
genuino objects, as prescribed in the decision of the Supreme Government, tbo desiring tho
best means of carrying which into execution, His Lordship having, as above observed, been
pleased to devolve on this Government; under such suggestions as might be furnished by
General Malcolm, the Governor in Council has, after consulting that officer accordingly
adopted the measures and appointed the force deemed in his, and other competent opinions,
adequate to the service t<» be performed, the employment thereof to your professional skill and
gallantry, which will not fail to surmount such intervening difficulties as mny occur, and to
conduct the undertaking to the most creditable termination for the general good and to the
xeliof of the commercial (world), against those irreclaimable pests to the general prosperity.
10. Your intercourse with Imaum of Muscat will of course be carried on chiefly through
the medium of Mr. Bruce, the present Resident, in which channel you will asemtain the
wishes of Syed Saed, which you will uttend to and even comply with as far as may be found
compatible, with the general success of the service entrusted to your charge, and at the same
time within the liue of the preceding instructions, beyond which, as prescribed by superior
authority, the Governor in Council is neither authorized nor disposed to proceed.
11. I might, no doubt, be desirable (more especially in view to their connection with and
degree of dependence on the Wahabeo power) that after the entiie destruction of their vessels
a conciliatory convention might take place between tho British and their petty States stipulat­
ing for th**ir future quiet behaviour and forbearance from piracy, which if you can effect the
terms thereof, may be converted in conjunction with the Imaum of Muscat, and with a due
regard to his permanent interest as our ally, or, if tho piratical powors prefer it, they might
bo allowed to send over authorized vakeels, by tho opportunity of your return, to treat at
this place for a permanent accommodation.
12. Whatever may occur in tho respect you will bo careful to discover throughout the
service on which you are about to proceed, any intention of hostility towards tho JFahabee
Power of whose present connection with tho Joa9mees it is not even not necessary that you
should acknowledge any privity or acquaintance or ent^r, consequently at all into the considera­
tion or discussion as to any share or interest that the Chieftain in question may possess in
their depredations ; but acting towards and treating with them altogether on the footing of an
independent State, as they appeared to be on the occasion of the treaty concluded with Captain
Seton j although no doubt, they were, even, then in constrained subordination to the superior
power of the IFahabee who did not however think it necessary to obtrude himself ostensibly in
those transactions.
18. The Governor in Council earnestly recommends that the opportunity of obtaining the
most accurate topographical information of the countries inhabited by the Joasmces, should not
be best and you will no doubt select for this purpose proper officers, marine as well as
military, to survey and make charts and sketches of the coasts, creeks, harbours and countries
t^at are in the possession of the Joasmees.
14. Governor in Counoil would also be happy to be favoured with your opinion in respect
to the most eligible island in the vicinity of the Joasmee ports which it would be advi*abje f or
us to occupy as a maritime station of Residency in preference to ,Muscat, with the view of
mo re effectually commanding tbo entrance of the Gulph and checking the future depredation?
of the pirates, accompanied by your seutimonts in respect to the force that may be n*cessary