Page 83 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part III.—Chap* XVIII. 61

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE GOVERNORS OF BUSHIRE.
SHEIKII NASIR, BUSHIRE, AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
1801—1822.
139. We have seen in the Selections from the State Papers regarding
Persia and the Persian Oulf 1600-1800, the important rdle played by
Sheikh Nasir I of Bushire in our Persian Gulf affairs. This Sheikh belonged
to the family of Matarisch, as told us by Niebuhr in Chapter OIII of his
Travels in Arabia. The first Sheikh Nasir died in 1801, and was succeeded
by his son Sheikh Nasir the Second. At the commencement of the period
of this Prdcia, he was an important figure at Bushire, and displayed much
anxiety to please the British, while doing all to utilize their friendship to
fill his pockets. (For a Geneologioal table of this family see page 248).
140. His son Sheikh Abdul Rasul was an alter ego of Sheikh Nasir and
was no leas active than his father. As a specimen of Sheikh Nasir’s friendly
communications to our Agents, we shall give the translation of one of March Secret and Poll.
1801, addressed to Mehdi Ali Khan, Resident at Bushire:— SpiswT? lisa1.06

Bombay Castle, 27th March 1801.
After in vain attempting to .express to you the regret I feel on being deprived of your
agreeable society, I have the honour to inform you that on my arrival at Chahoatah, 1 was
favourod with the receipt of your kind letter, which, as far as a letter would go, compensated
for the mortifications I have experienced in leaving you. The accounts it contains of your
health hive afforded me the most sincere satisfaction. I swear to Your Honor by tho most high
(iod that nothing can surpass my regard for your friendship and esteem, that I shall be ever
anxious to hear from you, and to learn how I may have an opportunity of fulfilling any of
your command*. The increase (sic) you have been 60 good as to send me has arrived safe; I
trust I shall be ever found to bo desiring of a continuance of your favour.
I now send you back ray brother Mahammed and my son, Hajy Suleman, which is tho
occasion of my writing you these few lines requesting you to take my house, my country, and
my Government, under superintendence, look upon my brother as your son, and upon my sou
as your servant; and as your own protect and take care of them. I have given thorn the most
precise instructions to be indefatigable in their attentions towards you : Hajy Suleman in parti­
cular I have desired to attend to the building of your house, and to furnish stones and lime,
and, in short, everything else you are in want of; this duty therefore being expressly assigned
to him no person else can interfere in it. I trust you will ever preserve the favourable disposi­
tions you have manifested towards me; and continue to gratify me with a constant communi­
cation of your commands. I beg my compliments and beat wishes to your son Mirza
Mohammed Khan. I hope he is in health.
P.S.—l have given the most particular orders to my brother Mohammed and Hajy
Suleman to do nothing without your advice and permission; whatever you approve of they
may then execute.
141. Iu 1807 the Bombay Government sanctioned the payment of R3,000
to Sheikh Nasir for his assistance in a piracy against a British boat and in com­
pensation for the loss of his boat sustained by him in an attack mad.e by
Lieutenant Cox.
142. The same year Sheikh Nasir left for Mekkah leaving his son Sheikh
Abdul Rassul in charge of the Government of Bushire; and who on taking the
charge addressed a letter dated 10th February 1807 to the Governor of
Bombay:—
Translation of a letter from Ubdool Busool, son of Sheikh Nusser Khan, to the Honourable
Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay, dated the 14th Zilkaad or 24th January, and
received the 10th February 1807.
In view to my father having, a short time ago, forwarded a friendly letter to you, by 8«oret and Poll,
the Ship Sooliman Shahee, and having himself, under the auspices of the Almighty, and to Dept. Diary No. 203
obtain the blessings of the salvation, commenced her journey to Mebka under date the £3rd PP- 2S77-
of the last month, or the 2nd January leaving me at this port, with an injunction that, in