Page 77 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part II—Chop. XVII. 55

CHAPTER XVII.

AGREEMENT OF AMIR HASSAN BIN REIIMA, JOASMI CHIEF
AT RAS-UL-KIIIMA, 1815.
138-A. On tho 1st of February 1815 the Bombay Government received of
following despatch from tho Itosidont at Bushire, dated the 11th October 1815, pp. 122 125.
1814, containing information of the arrival at Busbire of a Vakil from Amir
Hassan biu Rohma, the Chieftain of the Joasmis, enclosing at the same time
letters from that Chieftain and Abdulla bin Saud the Chieftain of the Waha­
bis and stating that ho had agreed on the Preliminary article of Treaty with
the first-mentioned person.
I have the honour to acquaint that on the 2nd instant a vakcol on tho part of Ameer
Husscn bin Rehmah Joassemeo arrived here in a despatch boat from Katife with the letters
from the Wahabeo Chief Abdalla bin Saoud aud Hassan bin Rehraah, copy and translation
of which I have the honour to enclose, from which documents tho Ilon'ble board will observe
that tbo Wahabeo Lhiof by no means approved of the conduct of Hassan bin Rchmah and
his tribe; and has in a manner bound himself to compel the latter to deliver up such piop-rty
as we can prove them to have captured. At the same time Hussan bin Kehmah continued
to deny having captured any British property and hopes that we will not be too severe in
scrutinizing the past; the Hon’ble Board will also observe that he has authorized Hassan
bin Mobumcd bin Gaith the bearer of these letters to enter into engagements with me;
after a great deal of conversation with him ou their late predatory conduct, and insisting
on their leaving off this mode of life, if they wished to enter into engagements of friendship
with the British Government; Hassan bin Gaith replied they were anxious to be on the best
of terms with the British Government, whoso good-will they should 6tudy hereafter to deserve
and that wo might rest assured any engagements that might bo entered into with us would
never bo inf ringed; that if they respected our flag and subjects and did all they could to
promote our wishes, what more could we desire of them, and that therefore hoped we would
not insist on them leaving off cruizing against those States who were at enmity with them;
as according to the Law of Nations amongst the Arabs blood could only be repaid by blood ;
that if they wore not to follow this kind of warfare they would lo>e their rank amongst the
Arab States; and not only that but that those tribes who were at enmity with them Would
come to their very houses to attack them ; besides this they were compelled by the Wahabee
Chief to wage war againat tho Mahomcdan States of the Gulph to bring them under the
yoke and religion of Wahabee and to respect tho British flag and subjects to whom they were
directed to ho attentive an J to afford every assistance in their power and cultivate their alliance;
that if we would guarantee on their leaving off this mode of proceeding that none of the Arab
States would molest them or their vessels, aud that if they did so we would chastize them for
it and restore their property back, as also guarantee their safety from the vengeance of the
Wahabeo Chief, for not obeying his commauds they could then leave off this way of life, but
otherwise their natural situation in the Gulph was such that they were compelled to be enemies
to the greatest portion of it; as there was a great deal of truth in what Hassan bin Gaith
said regarding ti>e peculiar situation and the system among the Arabs as also their peculiar
religion so different from the other Mahomedan sects which of itself makes them enemy of
all other Liam sects, as also all other Islam 6ects to be their enemies, and as Hassan bia
Gaith says his Chief and relation Hnssan bin Rehma intend deputing this season to the
Presidency a vakeel fully authorised to ratify and euter iuto more full and firm engage­
ments with the British Government; I have therefore after mature deliberation entered iuto
few preliminary articles with Hassan bin Gaith, agreeing to drop all claim and forget what
has past upon certaiu conditions ; 1 have been induced to this from the circumstance of our not
having proof that the boats taken by them last year off Scind had either passes or colours, at
tho same time I have stipulated that all property as may have been taken from the Island of
Khen belonging to tho Ahmed Shah shall be restored and that the port of the Joassemeea
shall be open to all British subjects; they are also in future to hoist colours different from the
other Arab States which are simple red. Tho articles entered into have duly signed and
sealed to three copies by Hassan bin Gaith and myself, one of which I have delivered to him
to he kept by Hassan bin Rehma, another I have now the honour to enclose for the considera­
tion for the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, and the third 1 have retained here and
hope it will meet with the approbation and ratification of the Hon’ble Board.
Hassan bin Gaith and his attendants I have considered as the guests of the Hon’ble
Company during tl>eir stay here and in consequently accommodated them in the Factory; their
expenses with a few presents made to Hassan bin Gaith and some Europe articles sent
along with him for HassHn bin Rohma the Joas'emee Chief ou the conclusion of the engage­
ments, I trust will he authorized by the Hon’ble Board, as the whole amount d-ea not exceed
1,200 rupees.,